“I wanted to apologize in person,” Demarco said.
What should a man say to another apologizing for nearly ripping his life apart? He could think of nothing, so he said nothing.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I do have a surprise for you.” He opened the back door and Korbin saw Fallon sitting inside. She looked tentative and moved deeper into the vehicle as more cameras clicked and video cameras rolled.
Korbin looked at Demarco, who shrugged. “I watched the news. I figured the least I could do is get things started in the right direction for you and your stepdaughter.” He handed him a card, an invitation. “And invite you to my next antiques auction review. You had to leave early from the last one.” He looked at Savanna. “It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful dress.”
Korbin shook Demarco’s hand. Some day he’d forgive him. When all of this was a distant memory. All except...he looked over at Savanna. Would she also be a memory?
“Thanks,” he said to Demarco.
Demarco gave him a slight bow. “I hope to see you soon.”
Getting into the car, he looked at Fallon with her long, curly blond hair and striking blue eyes. Savanna got into the front and the car began to move. Behind them, Korbin saw Demarco talking to reporters. When the sedan turned a corner, he disappeared from sight. He turned to Fallon. She looked at him in that tentative way, still not sure how she felt about him.
“I was going to go home, but I ran into Demarco on my way out of the station,” she said.
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
She opened her mouth to say something and then shut it. Then she tried again. “Why is it so important that I be in your life?”
Had she really asked that question? “You’ve been like a daughter to me since you were fifteen.”
“I hated you when I was fifteen.”
“Yeah, but that didn’t last. Every stepkid hates the one who isn’t their real parent. It’s a stage. As soon as you saw what a great guy I was, you came around.”
She smiled. “You can be a real charmer. No wonder my mother fell for you so fast.”
He chuckled and then noticed Savanna’s head turning as though she wanted badly to look at them. This couldn’t be an easy exchange for her to hear. But it was important that he make Fallon understand how he felt about her, that she meant as much to him as any kid of his own would.
“We were a family,” he said. “And even though your mother isn’t here anymore, you’re still part of my family. You’re the only daughter I’ll ever have.”
Fallon lowered her head, and he felt her uncertainty.
Korbin reached for her hand, taking it from where it was curled into her other hand to hold it in his. “If I could change what happened, I would.”
Fallon lifted her head, all the pain of her loss shining in her eyes. “She trusted you.”
He stayed silent, letting her say what she needed to say.
“She knew what you were into, but she wasn’t afraid because she had you.” Tears sprang to her eyes, each one a dagger into his heart. “How could you have let her die like that?”