Without Mercy by Alicia Dean

Author:Alicia Dean [Dean, Alicia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Published: 2021-06-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Work had been hell in the days since Miles’ death. Vanessa was gone on bereavement and the other employees walked around as though aliens had stolen their souls and their bodies were now just empty husks.

Vanessa had begged China to tell her about the favor Miles had been doing, but China refused. Vanessa not only held her responsible for Miles’ death, but she was angry that she wouldn’t tell her the truth. China remained silent. She’d rather Vanessa be mad than dead.

Vanessa called on Saturday morning, a few hours before Miles was to be buried.

“Tell me the truth, China. Tell me what Miles was doing.” Her voice rose. “What favor was he doing for you that got him killed?”

China swallowed back tears. “I’m sorry, Van. I can’t.” Doing so would put her in too much danger. She might lose her best friend, but at least her best friend wouldn’t lose her life.

“Well, then there’s nothing left to say.” The hysteria subsided, and her voice became icy, robotic. “I've transferred branches. When I'm ready to come back to work, I won't be working with you.”

“Vanessa. I know you're hurting right now but—”

“I don't want you at the funeral. I assume you'll respect my wishes.”

“Vanessa, please—”

“Don’t show up.”

She started to argue further, but Vanessa had hung up.

As much as China loved Miles and as much as she wanted to tell him goodbye, she would stay away. Funerals were for the living, and Vanessa was right. China would respect her wishes. Although it wasn't the same, since China and Aiden hadn't been married for twenty years, she understood. She wouldn’t have wanted to see the person responsible for Aiden’s death at his funeral.

That night, she sat in Emma's room and watched her sleep, trying not to think of Miles and Vanessa, about everything that had happened these past few weeks, about how hopeless the situation had become.

She was growing increasingly worried that Emma would slip and say something. Gunnar living with them round the clock. Her adventure with Miles. Strange people in and out of the house. How could a six-year-old continue to stay quiet about so many changes? Of course, it was possible she’d said something at school, maybe even to her teacher or principal, and the adults had brushed it off the way adults have of only half-listening to children. Lucy would listen, though. But had Emma said anything, Lucy would have asked about it, so it was unlikely Emma had mentioned any of the recent happenings to her. They hadn’t seen her since Miles’ death, which was probably a blessing.

An hour passed before Gunnar knocked on the door and suggested China return to her own room.

Recognizing the early warning signs of a sleepless night coming on, she took two over the counter sleeping pills. Within moments after she went to bed, the medicine took effect and a heavy-limbed lassitude stole over her. Sighing, she gave into the luxury of not thinking and let herself drift.

Sometime later, a pressure on her shoulders snatched her out of deep sleep.

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