Page 117 of The King of Hearts

She nods, her free hand swiping away at a tear that’s fallen down her cheek.

“I can’t wait for all of this to be over with. No matter how safe it seems, I still feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder.”

“Even if he did find you, there’s no way he could get access to you.”

“Logically, I know that, but I still won’t feel completely safe until he’s gone for good.”

The plan is to abduct Grant and bring him to the island to The Reef, where Lili can end his life how she sees fit. Unfortunately, finding him is proving difficult. He’s nowhere to be found. We have people watching the few people Lili knows he associates with, and even have people watching their parents, but so far, there’s been no communication.

The next few minutes are spent in silence as we go back to watching Harper play with Loki. The little girl looks so happy and carefree, and seeing it fills all the parts of me with happiness. I can’t imagine the weight that’s been lifted from Lili’s shoulders, seeing her daughter like this.

“You know you’re going to have to get a cat once you’re settled, right?”

Lili laughs. “You’re probably right. I think she’s a fan. Before meeting Loki, Harper had never been around a cat before.”

That makes me sad. But it’s okay because they aren’t in that situation anymore.

After a few more minutes of play time, Loki plops down on his side, releasing a big yawn, his eyes closing.

“I guess he’s had enough of the big outdoors,” Lili remarks.

“It appears so.”

Harper gets up from the ground, her attention drawn toward the house. I look over just as Beatrice steps out onto the terrace, pushing Vivian’s wheelchair. She goes to the ramp, down it, and pushes the chair to a flower garden that has a multitude of colorful blooms.

“Who is that?” Lili asks.

“Ryker’s mother, Vivian. She’s in a catatonic state. Has been for years.”

“How sad.”

I get up from the stone bench and walk over to Beatrice and Vivian. Bea smiles when she sees me approach. Her eyes move to Lili, who’s following behind me.

“Hello. It’s a nice day out, and I figured Vivian might enjoy the scenery.”

“Such a great idea,” I remark, gesturing to a bench to the side of the flower bed. “We’ll sit with her for a while. I’ll bring her in when we return inside.”

“Are you certain? We don’t want to interrupt your visit.”

“We’re sure. You don’t mind, do you, Lili?”

Lili smiles. “Certainly not. It’s too beautiful a day not to share it with others.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll watch after Vivian. You go take a break.”

“Thank you. I’ll be in the library when you come back in.”

She walks off, and Lili and I take a seat on the bench. Vivian is only a few feet away, facing the flowers. Ryker told me a fewdays ago that Vivian once loved flowers, so she’s brought out to the garden often. I nearly wept when he told me that he and his mom had a tradition of going out in the morning to pick flowers for the table in the entrance hall. He was so young when his father disappeared, and then for his mother to fall into this mindless state. I can’t imagine how alone he must have felt when he was a small boy.

“How long has she been like this?” Lili asks, her voice quiet.

I don’t feel comfortable talking about Ryker’s mother with someone else, but it wouldn’t hurt to give a little.

“When Ryker was a young child.”

“That must have been so hard on him.”

“I’m sure it was. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without my mother.” I pause and look at Lili. “Were you close with your mother?”

---