Page 117 of Icing Hearts

“No. It’s your fault. And I’m leaving now. Don’t try to find me. If you do, my boyfriend will kill you. Tory has a clip with your name on it, and he will not hesitate to empty it into your skull. All I have to do is say the word.”

“And I’d enjoy it,” I add.

“His father can cover up anything. Don’t push my generosity.”

“You can’t do this,” her father says.

Clara stands up and smiles. “Watch me.”

The chief leans forward to stand from the couch but thinks better of it once he sees the look in my eye. “Please. I can’t lose you too.”

“You lost me a long time ago.” She gives me a nod, and I follow her to the front door. Clara turns and looks over her shoulder. “When you wake up every day and look in the mirror, I hope you remember that you won’t walk me down the aisle when Tory and I get married. You’ll never get to meet your future grandchildren.”

“Don’t do this, Clara. Things will be different.”

Clara ignores him and walks out the front door, leaving it gaping behind her. She doesn’t look back. I keep my head angled in his direction, on guard for a last-ditch effort to hurt me, just in case. But the chief just stands and stares, hatred and hurt in his eyes.

Just before I leave, I say, “Know what, Chief? I changed my mind. If she gives me the go ahead, I’ll keep you alive until Clara gets here so she can put the bullet in your head herself.”

Then I slam the door.

“How do you feel?” I ask her as soon as we get in my car and shut the doors. I drove us, in case she wasn’t in a position to do so after confronting the chief.

Clara waves her hands, fanning her face as I pull out of the driveway. “I—I feel…like I wanna punch a hole through a wall and also like I need to puke,” she says quickly.

I nod. “It’s the adrenaline.”

Clara’s chest heaves gently. “I think I like it.”

“Oh boy.” I give her a little nervous chuckle.

“What?” She looks over at me, and I spare a glance in her direction as the trees along the suburban road blur by.

“Well, the way you’re feeling right now? Yeah, that’s why I get in fights and ride a motorcycle. You’re basically halfway to becoming a daredevil.”

She lets out a throaty laugh.

A few miles down the road, I look over and see her hand trembling in her lap. I lace our fingers together and rest them on the center console. “You’re done with him, Clara. Forever, if that’s what you want.”

“What if I change my mind in ten years and want to give him another chance?”

As much as I never want her to see him again, I tell her the truth. “You’re allowed to do that. It’s completely your call. I’ll make sure you can make contact safely, should you want to.”

“Thank you.” She nods, digesting the freedom to make the choice for herself. “I’m just…so relieved it’s finally over.”

“On to Colorado.”

We pack the last of my things, and I say goodbye to my bike , Giulia, and Rainey. Saying goodbye to my niece is particularly difficult. Kids grow so fast, and I’ll be gone nearly two months. But as I think back to my conversation on Thanksgiving with my father, I remember that it could have been a lot longer.

He stays hidden in his office. I don’t bother saying goodbye or anything else for that matter. I don’t have anything to say to him. He knows how I feel. Even though my mom and sister don’t really grasp the depth of the situation, my father knows I chose Clara.

Chapter 73

Two Months Later

Clara

“You cannot do that, Tory.”

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