Page 10 of Finally Found You

“You said she was going to kill you,” I remind her, still unconvinced.

She and Fern share a knowing look before laughing together again. When Kenzington sobers up, she explains, “It’s a figure of speech. Cami is the nicest person you’ll ever meet in your entire life. Well, she does get upset and has a potty mouth. Nonna didn’t like that she cursed a lot.”

I narrow my eyes, suspicion lingering in the back of my mind. “Let me guess, she’s nice, but she wants to get custody of you so she doesn’t have to work?”

“Stop judging and let Kenzington speak,” Fern scolds me.

“Why did she lose her job?” I persist, determined to understand the situation.

Kenzington sighs, her expression somber. “She moved from North Carolina to Colorado so she could take care of Nonna and me,” Kenzington explains. “They allowed her to work remotely. But after Nonna died, I heard they terminated her. Then her boyfriend broke up with her—also because of me.”

Before I protest or say something, Fern gives me a warning glare and slightly shakes her head. “Sounds like Cami has done all the right things for you,” my sister speaks, sitting beside Kenzington. “Why didn’t you stay with her? Where is your mom?”

Something about Fern’s warm demeanor encourages Kenzington to open up. Kenzington doesn’t know her mom. She tells us how she’s lived her entire life with her grandmother and cousin Cami, at least until her cousin moved out to study for her master’s degree. After she graduated, she got a job offer she couldn’t resist.

“Cami was a foster child until she was six,” she continues the story, her voice soft. “She doesn’t want me to end up in the system, too. She’s been trying her best, but with her luck, she’s going to fail, and social services will take me away.”

“You don’t have much faith in her, do you?” Fern asks gently.

Kenzington shrugs. “Those are her words.”

After she’s done with her story, I’m grateful to Cami. It seems like she’s always been looking after my daughter. I regret everything I thought about her. I should probably contact her and see what I can do to help her.

“Does she know you’re here?” Fern inquires.

“Of course not,” I respond, feeling a mixture of guilt and protectiveness. “My child stole Cami’s wallet and ran away.”

“I doubt she would’ve given me the money willingly,” Kenzington defends herself.

“We should call her,” Fern suggests. “I bet she’s worried sick about your disappearance.”

“Or she’s partying with her friend. Probably begging her scumbag boyfriend to take her back,” Kenzington adds bitterly.

My first instinct is to believe her, picturing this woman in Vegas throwing the biggest party in history. But after listening to everything she’s said, I can’t help but think Cami might be worried sick and searching the streets of Denver—or possibly the entire state of Colorado—for her cousin.

“Just call her to let her know you’re safe,” I urge gently, placing my phone on the table.

Kenzington gnaws on her bottom lip, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before confessing, “I don’t know her number.”

“How is that possible?” Fern asks, puzzled.

“I left my phone at home so she can’t track me.”

Fern tries to hide a smirk as she teases, “Oh, she’s definitely your child.”

I shoot her a glare, my own insecurities and emotions playing a part in my reaction. “What’s Cami’s real name?” I ask, attempting to regain control of the situation.

“Why do you want it?” Kenzington questions, her tone hesitant.

“The least we can do is call her and let her know you’re all right.”

“Camilla Balsamo,” she mumbles reluctantly.

I text Finn, requesting that he find a way for me to communicate with Camilla. He calls me immediately, his tone almost exasperated. “So you have the child a friend of mine is looking for.”

“You know about Kenzington?” I ask, surprised.

“Some of it. Another security company is searching for Kenzy on behalf of her cousin, Camilla. They were able to follow her all the way to San Francisco but lost track of her. I assume she’s with you?”

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