It didn’t matter how cold and gray it got in the Upper Peninsula, Caden always had a golden tan. He looked like he belonged on the beaches of California or in the waves of Hawaii rather than in snow hills taller than him.
Six-foot-three with shoulder-length blond hair, turquoise irises, and muscles toned by hard work rebuilding motorcycles, he stood out from the crowd wherever he went. Especially in their hometown, where he didn’t just look like he didn’t belong—he actually didn’t belong. Not only because he was gay but because he didn’t play by their rules. He’d proven that when he’d stood by her side after she’d killed her dad.
He was wearing one of his stern looks that told her she was about to receive a lecture. “Sounds like you need a handler down there in Detroit.”
Ah hell. He’d heard.
The past few days had flown by in a blur of news interviews and press conferences. While she’d initially balked at Nick’s request for her presence at his side during it all, he eventually convinced her it would not only help her career but give her closure as well. She’d held her breath, waiting for them to uncover her past as Katerina Martini, but thankfully no one had brought it up.
From being called an “up-and-coming attorney to watch” and compared to a young Gloria Allred by the media, she’d received job offers from firms located all over the country, but she politely turned them all down. If she worked at a firm after graduation, it would be at Joseph and Long. After everything that had happened, she was beginning to have her doubts about working for a large firm. But she’d spent years working toward that goal, never considering another option. What else could she do?
Several times she’d start to call Caden, but something would always distract her. Or maybe she didn’t want to hear the worry in his voice or see the concern in his eyes. Even though she was a month older than him, he’d always acted like her big brother.
She thought she’d have a little time before the news of her run-in with Miles Joseph reached him. As the one person she considered family, he deserved a call days ago.
She smiled and tried to play innocent. “Normally, I’d say no, but if you’re volunteering, I’d make an exception.” And that was the truth. She’d always make room for him.
His expression softened. “I wish I could, baby girl. You mind telling me how the hell you got yourself in the middle of the Deveroux investigation?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.”
“No, crazy is when you steal the tires off Jimmy Baker’s bike and fit them on your own. Someone tried to kill you.”
She chuckled because if she didn’t, she’d start crying, and that would really freak him out. “Yeah. The firm’s founder and the guy who signed my paychecks. Apparently when this firm wants to terminate your employment, they go out of their way to make sure it’s final.”
He growled. “Not funny.”
“Sorry. I know it’s not.” She sighed. “I’m assuming if you heard so has the rest of the town.”
He shrugged, trying his best to look cavalier, but she knew better. “There’s been talk. You know how they are.”
She snorted. “Yeah. They’re probably sorry Joseph didn’t take me out.”
“Nah. Well, maybe a few of the old cheerleading squad, but most of the folks are proud of how far you’ve come. Your father’s death is old news.” He paused, shifting in his chair, and his golden skin paled. “There’s been another suicide. Folks are spouting off their typical bullshit about how it’s ’cause the youth are worshipping the devil.”
Sadly, teenage suicide was a common occurrence in her hometown. If she hadn’t had Caden on her side, she could’ve been one of them. “God, that’s awful. Anyone I know?”
He paused. “Melinda Erickson.”
A pang of sadness ripped through her as she recalled a five-year-old Melinda learning to ride a two-wheeler. “If you see her mom, let her know I’m sorry. She was a really sweet girl.”
“Speaking of moms, yours isn’t doing great. One of these days she’s gonna burn her trailer down with one of those cigarettes. I know you don’t believe in forgiveness—”
“An apology might persuade me to forgive her, but I’m not holding my breath. She’s never going to stop blaming me for my daddy’s death.”
The bitterness of her mother’s betrayal ate at her like acid on her skin. All these years and she’d never gotten that hug from her mother she so desperately needed after losing her father. Even as Kate had wasted away, fueled solely by drugs, alcohol, and sex, her momma had ignored her, choosing her own addiction over the life of her daughter.