Chapter 0318

Ivan stumbles back then, staring at me — and it’s not just my shove that pushed him away. It’s also his disbelief that...even with

Kent out of the picture. I still pick him.

He glances down at my stomach. “Is this because you're...”

“No!” I shout, advancing on him again and going pale as I glance towards my dad in the kitchen, who I still haven’t told.

“Because he’s never getting out Fay,” Ivan says all in a rush, his eyes wide now, almost as if he’s trying to explain my freedom to

me — as if I think I’m still wrapped up under Kent's control.

“You've got some kind of Stockholm Syndrome bullshit — but Lippert is so wrapped up in all of this that he’s never getting out —

he’s going down —“ Ivan steps forward and takes me by the shoulders, staring closely into my face to make sure I hear him.

“There’s no bail — the judge refused it. And he’s — they’re going to ask for the death penalty, Fay. The best he can hope for —

ever, even with a plea, is several life terms in prison. He's not getting out.”

Ivan studies my face as I go pale — as he waits for me to realize that I am free —

But he’s going to be waiting a damn long time for that, because no one was forcing me to stay in the Lippert house. I wanted to

be there —I tied my life to Kent and to Daniel because I want them. Because they're my family.

“I will help you raise this baby,” lvan murmurs, stepping closer to me now.

“That’s fucking enough,” Daniel growls, stepping forward to intercede, but I put up a hand to stop him.

“How did you do it,” I say, my voice hard, as I stare up into lvan’s face. “Because we both know you don’t have enough on Kent

to get him six life sentences.”

Kent confessed to me some horrible crimes that night in my bed and Ivan has a recording of that — but I’m well aware that kind of

pillow talk isn’t going to hold up in court. So, there’s got to be something else.

Ivan sighs and glances at Daniel, not wanting to say. But I stare up at him, waiting.

“Other testimony,” Ivan sighs, looking away — I think, somehow, a little ashamed. “Other bosses are coming forward, testifying

against Kent in exchange for immunity. They’re...they’re loading him up, Fay. That was the deal: Kent takes the blame for some

other boss’ crimes and the city gets a huge part of their organized crime wiped out — the entire Lippert enterprise, liquidated.”

“Who,” I whisper. “Who else, besides you.”

Ivan just shakes his head at me.

“Who!” I demand.

“You already know, Fay,” he says, gritting his teeth.

“My father,” I whisper, staring up at him, needing the confirmation.

Slowly, Ivan nods.

And then he takes a step closer to me, as if to take me in his arms —

But I step back and I turn away, wrapping my arms around myself and moving slowly towards the back deck, where I stare at the

sea.

“Fay,” he calls after me, but I just shake my head.

“You should go, Detective Kaminski,” I say quietly, the name feeling odd on my tongue. But he’s not lvan anymore — not the one I

knew.

He says my name again, pleading this time. But I don’t reply.

I hear footsteps, a little protest,

maybe even a light scuffle. B a

single set of footstep dchoes behind

rho" give you time,” lvan says, “to

realize that this is right. I'll be back,

Fay.” Please read the original content

at .

“I'd prefer it if you didn't,” I murmur,

heaving a little sigh. But I don’t look

back at him, and he peasy! ra ae

rpg yngteadattle footsteps just fade

away behind me. And when they're

gone, I just rest my head against the

door frame and close my eyes.

Please read the original content at

.

And then I spend the next half hour

wondering how the helhI goicgtto!

al withthe revQhat rin probably

never going to see Kent ever again.

Please read the original content at

.