Page 114 of Finally Mine
“If it’s no trouble. I have some news for you about Diller.”
Gloria turned her back on the men and stepped into the kitchen. There was one fucking person who could ruin everything for her. For them.
She sent up a silent prayer as she poured two mugs. Please don’t let him touch this life.
Ty thanked her for the coffee, and Aldo tucked her under his arm. “Spit it out, Adler. What’s the latest.”
“He pled guilty.”
Gloria felt her eyebrows climb her forehead. “He did?”
Ty nodded, blew at the steam rising from his mug.
“That means no trial?” Aldo pressed.
“No trial. Do not pass go. Go straight to jail. Attempted murder, stalking, assault, handful of other charges. Third-time offender thanks to that DUI a few years ago. Adds up to about twenty years and change.”
For the second time that morning, Gloria felt her knees go a little weak.
“So, that’s it. He’s out of my life.”
“You’ve also got a nice shiny piece of paper that forbids him from contacting you. And makes it awfully uncomfortable if his mama gets within fifty feet of you.”
Aldo dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
“Oh my God. I don’t know what to say.” The monster was gone. She was free to live her life. Free to tell Aldo she loved him. Free to go to work and make plans and have a future. There was nothing standing in her way. No shadows left to block out the light.
“Diller had her keeping tabs so he’d know where to find you as soon as he got out. She admitted that much. But still didn’t fess up to vandalizing your car. You can press charges, and we’ll have a go at her,” Ty offered.
But Gloria shook her head. “No. I’m done with that family.”
Aldo squeezed her arm in agreement. They were done with Glenn. Done with the sordid past. They had a whole big, bright future to look forward to.
63
“Well, well. If it isn’t my own personal hero,” Aldo said, answering the video call that popped up on his desktop screen.
Luke’s face grinned back and him. “If it isn’t my vertebra-dislocating, dead-weight friend.”
“You called all the way from Afghanistan to tell me I’m a lard ass?” Aldo kicked back in his desk chair and smoothed his tie. He was in the office early this morning before the hordes—his partner and their associates and interns—descended with fancy coffees, endless chitchat, and smartphones that never shut the fuck up.
He hadn’t stepped back into his role at work so much as dove in head first. It was sink or swim. They’d landed a contract for a massive, state-wide bridge study and replacement project. It meant at least a couple of years of consistent work—and huge volumes of red tape. Today alone he had an on-site inspection and two zoning board meetings in addition to his actual normal work.
“Well, that, and to tell you I’m coming home.”
Aldo sat up. “No shit? It’s about damn time.”
Luke rubbed a hand over his head. “Yeah, two weeks, and I’ll be able to see your lard ass in person.”
“I can’t believe Harpist didn’t spill her guts,” Aldo said, thinking of their morning run. They’d worked their way up slowly, but surely, and now met up several mornings a week to run through the quiet, sleeping town. He was proud of her…and pissed that she’d keep her lips zipped about Luke.
“Well, that’s kinda the thing. Harper doesn’t know,” Luke grinned.
“And you want to surprise our little ray of sunshine,” Aldo said, catching on.
“Exactly.”Well, well. Luke Garrison planning a surprise homecoming. There was hope for him yet.
They talked strategy for a few minutes with Luke nixing every big, public spectacle idea that Aldo threw at him just to annoy him.
