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Ivy sighed. “I understand your need to want to make him pay. Hell, part of me wants to see him rot as well. I don’t know… maybe it’s the scientist in me.”
Emmanuel didn’t like where this conversation was heading, but he would hear her out.
“I would caution before you take any action, get all your facts together. Because what is bothering me about all of this? Is why? Why would he do this? Not only why, but why now?”
“I’m not sure I care why. He came for my family. My children, you, our friends, and family doubted my devotion to you. Fuck, he could have come for my material shit; I could possibly show mercy. Not for coming after what I love most. Never that.”
“I get it. Just one more thing to consider. There is an innocent child involved. A child that happens to be your nephew.”
Nephew.Emmanuel hadn’t thought of the child in those terms… being raised without siblings and having a spouse who also didn’t have any siblings, a nephew or niece, was never something that he had to consider.
It wasn’t like Leonardo was a part of the child’s life, anyway. Or he wanted to acknowledge him, otherwise they all wouldn’t be in the mess they were in.
“I’ll take it into consideration when I act,” he informed her.
“Also, consider that I am pretty certain Jasmine Journee is probably innocent in this.”
“Yes, you might have mentioned that before. Any more little truths you would like to share with me?” Emmanuel had meant it as a joke, but the look on Ivy’s face put him on full alert. “Doc? Something you want to share with me?”
Ivy stared at him for a bit. Then she sighed. “Okay, here goes. I’m not sure Larson was being truthful about knowing about your twin.”
“You had me worried there for a moment, Doc. Of course, he knew. My Dad is full of shit. There was no way Chester would make such a move without his approval. He made his career serving my Dad. He wouldn’t do shit without his say so.”
“You didn’t let on.”
“It’s bad enough, he already has confirmation we know of the existence of twin. Maybe he will be sloppy with his cover up and Darsh can catch him at it.”
“God. Here’s hoping.”
Emmanuel winked at her.
“Information is power to my Dad. The less of it he has, the better. Besides, I wouldn’t confront him without proof. My Mom was blindsided in there. When the truth comes out, it has to come with a side of irrefutable facts. I’ll tell you one thing I would hate to be my Dad when this all comes out.”
“We should probably get going. This conversation has been very informative.”
“One more for the road. Roy is going to need to step up his role.”
“Really, Manny?”
“Yeah, really Doc. It should have already happened. There are too many unknowns. I won’t take a chance with your safety.”
Emmanuel and Roy had a ‘discussion’ about him allowing Ivy into the Journee woman’s house unprotected. Roy had remained stoic as his boss ripped into him about allowing Ivy to be put in danger.
“I assessed the risk. I was on the porch the whole time. I turned on the listening device on her cellphone so I could monitor the situation. You hired me to ensure she gets from point A to point B and keep your wife safe. I take that job very seriously.”
“Okay, fine, but to be clear, only Roy.”
“I can’t promise that, but he will try not to be too intrusive. You don’t go anywhere without him. Which means he comes inside the hospital with you.”
If looks could kill. Thank God he knew she loved him.
They drove to the condo, and just as the couple walked through the door. Darsh called again. This time Emmanuel answered and put the phone on speaker.
“Hey Darsh, hang on a moment,” Emmanuel instructed, and he sat, then pulled Ivy into his lap. Having her there was like a security blanket. While he wanted… no, needed the information. It wasn’t easy having all of these family secrets unearthed.
“Okay. I’m back. You have news for me?”
“Yes, as it turns out, and I didn’t have to make a deal with the devil.”
