Page 39 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
“I want to know what you think about my proposal.”
Proposal?I mentally go over every commitment I have in the next two months. Nothing involves her or her foundation.
“When was this? I don’t remember.”
An exasperated sound. “I can’t believe you don’t remember any of it. I told you just last week!”
“You did?” I don’t remember seeing her. I was a basket case, but I wasn’t that bad, was I? “If you need some money to feed the hungry or something, just tell Wei. He’ll cut you a check. You know you never have to ask.” Anybody who’s been as kind and supportive to Ivy deserves that and more from me.
Elizabeth makes a weird muffled noise. It sounds like someone left her bed just as things were getting really good.
“My God! Ryder didn’t remind you, did he? He said he would—and get an answer—but I swear, he’s totally absent-minded unless his assistant is nagging him.”
“He’s a busy guy. A first-time dad to a baby,” I say loyally. Elizabeth might look like an angel, but she has a temper. I saw it a few times when her siblings and I were exiled to European boarding schools by our respective parents.
Then something else about her hits me—her vast connections and her uncanny Russian. Unlike Edgar, Tolyan wasn’t looking for evidence that the entire Iris Smith persona was fake, but it didn’t take him that long to figure it out. What could he do if given the right nudge?
“Look, forget the proposal, because it’s a yes. I have a favor to ask,” I say.
“Go on.”
“I hired Jill for something, and she died before she could tell me anything. And her files are encrypted. Since she was so young and healthy and considered herself too smart and capable to be harmed, she never made contingency plans for something happening to her. So I’m left high and dry without anything to show.”
“I see. So that’s why she was at the party.”
“I…got a little impatient, yes. So. I’d like your help—specifically, your Russian’s help—with what she was looking into.”
Elizabeth makes a vague noise.
“I’ll owe you one,” I say. “Anything you want.”
“No, you won’t. I like Ivy, and I like you.”
“But it’s a big favor.”
“Consider it an engagement present. You don’t pay people back for gifts, Tony.”
“Well…okay. Thank you, Elizabeth.”
“My pleasure.”
“And one of these days, I’ll repay the favor anyway.”
She laughs softly. “I told you it’s not necessary. But if you must, just…be happy, will you? You’re always so grim and unapproachable, except when you’re around her.” She sighs. “Sometimes you have to let go of the past, even if it’s your own parents.”
I think about what Harry said regarding Father thinking about bringing me back to the fold. And Mother refusing.
“Speaking from experience?” I ask.
“Uh-huh. Text me what you’ve been looking for, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.”
We end our call.
I sit in the office. Let go of the past, even if it’s your own parents. Sounds simple. And probably easy for her, since her parents are assholes of the first order. More complicated for me. I still owe mine a blood debt. Katherine’s young life is worth a million of me.
