Cope turned to the puppy. “Tell me you didn’t expel that from your tiny body. It was Brutus, wasn’t it?”
Arden scoffed. “If it was Brutus, I wouldn’t be able to lift the slipper.”
Cope scrunched his nose. “For the love of God, take that thing outside. The puppy, too.”
“It’s okay, Gretzky,” Luca said, patting the puppy.
Cope sent them both a mock glare. “Tell that to my poor slipper.”
My phone dinged in my pocket, and I reached for it. I hoped like hell Thea wasn’t drowning at the bakery without me. But as I opened my text thread, I felt the blood drain from my face.
There was a screenshot of some sports blog featuring a photo of Cope and me coming out of the church after Teddy’s funeral. My head was tipped down, and my sunglasses covered much of my face. No one should’ve known it was me. But someone did.
Unknown Number
You think I don’t recognize your sweet little body, Blue Eyes?
My phone dinged again and again.
Unknown Number
Or that fucking necklace around your throat.
My fingers lifted to my neck. It was a little silver star adorned with gemstones. I wore it often and had since college. I’d only managed to hang on to the necklace because Roman knew the silver and gems were fake.
Unknown Number
Should’ve hocked that instead of that stupid, goddamned locket. Only got fifty bucks. And I’d say you owe me a hell of a lot more than that.
Unknown Number
I gave you everything. Clothes, cars, the house of your dreams. And you and that kid just took and took and took. It’s time you paid me back. Now I know where you are. Know you’ve got cash from your hockey player. I knew you could whore yourself to get what I needed.
Unknown Number
Pay up Blue Eyes or I’m coming for you and that kid.
40
COPE
I watchedthe blood drain from Sutton’s face as she stared at the phone. Ding after ding. She just kept staring.
“Arden, take Luca and Gretzky outside,” I clipped.
Arden’s gaze flicked back and forth between Sutton and me. “Cope?—”
“Please.” My voice dipped lower as I let a pleading note bleed into my tone.
Arden’s jaw hardened, her telltale defiance beginning to show. But then she jerked her head in a nod. “Come on, Luca. Help me dispose of this shoe.”
“Mom, are you okay?” Luca asked.
I’d learned that he was an empath through and through. He made sure all the other kids at camp always felt included. He gave pep talks and cheered for everyone. But he was most attuned to his mom. It spoke of how deep their bond was.
Sutton blinked a few times, then forced a smile. “Sorry, Superstar. Just some bakery math doing my head in.”
He frowned but nodded.
