Page 14 of Javier

“Because what you’re feeling is different. She is interested in you, like a woman is in a man, but something holds her back. You are interested in her, but Ransom is her father. That sticks in your craw.”

“She says Ransom sent her here. Asked her to find me. She used my old alias. Can she prove it?”

“The use of ‘gray wolf’ confirms it’s him. Who else could it be? Only your family knew your alias. The fact that she knows it proves that she knows Ransom, at a minimum.”

Fuck.Was there anything his mom didn’t know? He pushed the sunglasses onto the top of his head, trying to keep from snagging them in the thick waves, and peered at her.

“It’s a message and an opportunity, Javi.”

She knew about what went down that night.The dark tarry guilt roiled in his gut.

“All of you participated. Ransom always had trouble staying within the margins. You knew that. The medallions you all wear were created from the melted knife he used, correct? They serve as a reminder of that night and what you lost.”

“And also, what we hold dear. Family. How long have you known?”

“Thirty years, son. Ransom was forced to leave after that night on Refuge Island. It broke my heart. I know all of you wanted justice for Rose, but you took it too far.”

“Ransom took it too far. He exacted vengeance.”

“You lost a brother. I lost a son, and time with his children.”

“I need to make amends,” he said gruffly, hearing the pain lacing Daphne’s words and unmoored that she had kept the knowledge to herself for so long.

“It’s time. Rose moved past it long ago. See Memphis tonight. Talk andlisten. She needs something, for herself and maybe for Ransom. Do this for him. For yourself. And me. You need closure to heal and open up, to have a full life. Talk to Rose, Sammi, and Stone ahead of time, if possible. I love you, Javier.”

He sat, resting his forearms on his knees, gazing out at the trees. He swiped at his eyes. His fingers came away damp. Only Daphne could bring him to this height of emotion. His voice cracked as he looked at the woman he held in highest regard and loved fiercely. “Ransom is gone.”

“I know. Three months ago.”

Just as he suspected. “How did you know?”

“I’ll share when the time is right.”

“I love you, Mom.” He blinked rapidly to clear the moisture from his eyes. “I’m sorry, for everything.”

“I forgave all of you long ago.” She leaned in, ruffled his hair, and laid her head on his shoulder. “Let’s move our family forward.”

* * *

An afternoon spent in the Cliffs gave Memphis a better understanding of the social strata and attitudes held by some in the divided town of Torch River. She stopped for an iced coffee and pulled the device with its digital pen from her purse to add more thoughts about her trip.

Her ears perked up when a group of artificially enhanced and expensively dressed older women at the table close to her began discussing a black-tie event taking place at the marina that night and how they wished it wasn’t in the Narrows.

Did their wealth embolden the carelessness? They noticed Memphis but paid her little mind after a few curious glances. The conversation grew petty and their words demeaning as they joked about how wonderful it would be to gentrify the area and make it like the Cliffs. Unfortunately, a large private company held all the land rights and, as yet, efforts to break it were unsuccessful.

All was not right in the picture-perfect town. Had it always been the case? Had her father known about this when he lived here? Did Javier? She prayed he would listen, answer her questions, and accompany her back to the ranch. It was big ask.

The women left. Memphis waited ten minutes, then explored the shops. She stepped into one and was about to make a purchase, when she realized she had seen the same item in a shop in the Narrows. She would buy it there. Within her short time in Torch River, she felt connected to that section of the town and the people inhabiting it.

Happy with her decision, she drove across Founders Bridge and reentered the Narrows, parking in front of Smugglers Inn. After a shower, she would read for a while, have dinner at Daphne’s Diner, and then make her way to the Wake—in the GTO this time. She looked forward to seeing Mr. Mercurial and getting him to genuinely engage with her.

* * *

Memphis snagged a spot at the far edge of the Wake’s gravel parking lot, which was packed with trucks and motorcycles. The GTO was the lone classic convertible. She secured the ragtop, left the driver’s door unlocked since it stuck all the time, and took a fortifying breath.You’ve got this.

Live music flowed from behind the building and strings of mismatched cafe lights glowed. She considered going around the side but made her way through more bikes in front of the wide porch—more than she had ever seen in one place. Big and mostly black. Harley Davidson was the preferred brand.

Unlike the night before, the room was full. Rapidly spinning fans hugged the whitewashed ceiling. The Wake’s patrons were rougher-looking—bikers wearing cuts and patches—similar to what she had only read in books or seen in movies. The women with them, who were of all ages and provocatively dressed, displaying generous amounts of cleavage and sometimes more.

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