Page 24 of Tango
“He still is,” Frank corrected. “Look, I know there’s a lot we need to talk about, but everything will be explained in time. We need to get back to Shadows.”
“Yes.” Cole nodded and put his arm around Keith’s shoulders. “Let’s get our girl home.”
That was all that needed to be said, and we walked together beside Lexi’s coffin to the SUVs, and then Keith carefully lifted the urn from the satin cushion inside the coffin and set it gently in the back.
Ivy
“Hey,” Savannah knocked softly on my office door, “got a minute?”
“Always.” I pulled off my computer glasses and waved her to a comfy chair then sat across from her. Scoot yawned at the interruption to his nap.
“Don’t complain, kitty.” I gave him a quick ear scratch. “These are our people, remember.”
“Don’t even bother asking how I’m feeling because I have no idea.” She chuckled heavily as she kicked off her heels and pulled her feet up to get more comfortable. “Doc Roberts would ask for three words, and I’d say sad, tired, and relieved.” I let her run with her thoughts. “Then I’d probably cringe at the words I chose because it’d be horrible to be relieved that someone’s dead.”
She stopped a moment and looked at me, but when I didn’t reply, she bit her lip then continued. “But I am relieved, it’s like we were all stuck. No one could move forward or backward. Every day was filled with the same dread, every phone call, every text, and our stomachs would tighten. What if it was her? What if it was about her?” She covered her face with a groan. “Then my poor Liv had a breakdown. She was so scared it would happen to me, and,” tears flowed down her cheeks, “call me terrible, but I just need to laugh or scream or something. Oh, Ivy, this house has been through so much over the years, and it’s all so heavy. Will it ever end?” She let out a short breath and gave a little hiccup. “Don’t answer that. We knew this was a possibility when we married these guys, but trafficking a wife? What’s next? Our kids?” She squeezed her eyes shut like that thought made her ill. “Sorry, that was dark.” Then she just sat back as if exhausted, but her face showed she’d finally gotten what she wanted off her chest.
I stood and tapped my lips while I pondered what she really needed. I walked over to my desk I pulled out a notepad.
“I don’t like pills.” She shook her head.
“This isn’t for pills.” I ripped the paper off the top. “This,” I moved back to the couch, “is to be taken in the evening only, and can be used as much as needed.” I handed it to her, and her face lit up.
“Girls’ night out?” She raised a brow. “I think this is the best prescription I’ve ever gotten.”
“I completely understand how you’ve been feeling, Savannah. And you know, sometimes the best way to break free from that heavy feeling is to completely change what you’ve been doing. Maybe, after the funeral, we can plan a night. We all need to burn off the darkness that’s hung over us.”
“Yeah, I like that idea.” She caught a tear as it slipped out. “We can have a drink for her.” She smiled.
“That’s a nice thing to do.” I squeezed her hand. “What happened sucked.” I knew she needed to hear it real. “It’s friggin’ devastating that Lexi lost her life and the kids are without a mother, but she knew the risks and still chose to be reckless. I’m not blaming her because no one deserves to have their life taken from them, but choices have consequences.”
“I think that’s why I’m so wound,” she huffed. “All of this could have been avoided!”
“Yes, it could have. Lexi was suffering mentally and needed help. She couldn’t change who she was, no matter how hard she tried. Some just can’t or won’t accept help. And sadly, we can’t change what happened. We just need to mourn, then process and learn from what happened and hope the future brings Keith and the kids some happiness again.”
“I’m scared for B and Reagan.”
“Don’t be.” I shook my head. “You need to worry about yourself, your kids, and Cole. Let me worry about the rest. I know you’re a fixer, but don’t carry that on your shoulders, or you’ll burn out. I don’t have the emotional connection you had with Lexi, so it’s easier for me to help the others. It’s why I’m here.”
“Okay.” She pulled at the sleeve of her sweater as she thought.
“How are the rest of the wives? I haven’t seen much of Catalina.”
“Mia and Sloane are feeling like me. Cat is taking it the hardest, but all things considered, she’s hanging in there.”
“Is it worth me seeking her out yet?”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t. I think this,” she held up the prescription, “is the best way to deal with her. It’s a wonderful idea.”
“I appreciate the insight.”
I tapped my finger on the couch and chewed the inside of my cheek as I contemplated the secret that I’d learned that morning.
“What?” She sensed my hesitation.
“I just might have overheard something this morning that might cheer you up a little.”
“Oh, my God,” her face brightened, “is it something on Mark? Because I always feel better when I can take him down.” I laughed. I loved this house more and more every day. “Wait, are you it?”
