Page 40 of Finally Found You

“Let’s talk later,” I say, the worry for her gnawing at my insides. “I don’t want to interrupt her weekend.”

“Yep,” Lysander confirms. “Cam is fine.”

As fine as one can be when there’s an intruder in our house, I think but keep quiet, afraid she could be listening.

“Cam, you don’t want to worry our girl, do you?” Before I can respond, he adds, “Then please, do as I say.”

“Uh-huh,” I mumble, my heart racing. That’s when Mrs. Roberts, the neighbor across the street, knocks on the window.

I force a smile while lowering it. “Hi, Mrs. Roberts.”

“Did you find the girl?” she asks, tilting her head toward the house. “Her mama is looking for her. Something about taking her to the daddy. I didn’t understand. You know how chatty she is, just like your grandmother.”

“Who is in the house?” I ask, my thoughts tangled in confusion.

She frowns. “Evelyn?”

A chill runs down my spine. My mother died too many years ago. Instead of letting sarcasm slip, I say, “You mean Elsie?”

She smiles and nods. “That one. I confuse the two of them.”

Well then, there’s no need to cower inside the car waiting for someone to help me. I climb out of the car, my hands still trembling, just like my legs, and lock the door. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll go and check on Aunt Elsie,” I say, waving at Mrs. Roberts.

“No, you’re not going to check on anyone,” Lysander interrupts through the phone. I had forgotten he was there.

“I wish I could say ‘watch me,’ but… you can’t see me.” I chuckle nervously, stepping inside the house.

The entrance is littered with shattered glass. I tread carefully and spot her, Aunt Elsie, in the living room, a trash bag in hand as she tosses portraits and decorations inside.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demand, quivering with barely restrained emotion. It’s not fear, but anger.

She never even came to check on her daughter. Why the fuck is she here?

Aunt Elsie jumps and whirls around. “Oh, it’s you.”

“What are you doing here?” I repeat, fighting to swallow the lump in my throat.

She appraises me for a moment before glancing around and shrugging. “Cleaning, so I can sell the house. I don’t plan on sticking around for long.”

“You can’t sell my house,” I argue, my heart pounding.

She laughs mockingly, the sound grating on my nerves. “This place is mine. Do you think my mother would leave anything to the orphan?”

My glare intensifies, but before I can respond, Lysander murmurs in my ear, “Don’t engage.”

“You look a lot like the junkie,” she sneers, her words cutting deep. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re already using like her. I’m shocked you lasted this long. I mean, your parents didn’t make it to the age of twenty.”

“You know who my father was?” I dare to ask, curiosity and vulnerability mingling within me.

She smirks, her eyes gleaming maliciously. “Mom never told you about him?”

“Don’t pay attention, Cami,” Lysander whispers soothingly in my ear.

“Listen, I’m not sure why you suddenly appeared, but I need you to leave,” I assert, trying to regain control of the situation.

“Finn is almost there,” Lysander reassures me. “He’ll take you back home—and bring that bitch along. I need to have a word with her.”

“No, you have your weekend—”

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