11. Raven

11

RAVEN

D espite straining my ears, all I hear are muffled voices.

Surely they’re just talking about the new system, how it works and such. What else would they be discussing?

Our father is a kind man, but he’s also a stern man. There’s a reason why the five of us are so strong. We got that nurturing kind of love from our mother, but from our father? He showed his love in a different way.

He taught us strength, determination, confidence. He taught us to stand on our own two feet, learn the value of a dollar and a hard day’s work. We were born rich, but we never had silver spoons in our mouths. Our father saw to that.

He learned from his father, Brick Bellamy, who made this ranch what it is today. The ranch does well. Better than most, but our true money comes from our grandmother, the Cooper Steel heiress.

But she never spoiled my father. My grandfather wouldn’t have it, and my father never spoiled us. Sure, we have trust funds, but we couldn’t touch them until we turned twenty-one.

I’ll use a large chunk of mine to fund my nonprofit. Help others. To help those in my shoes who don’t have the resources that I was so lucky to have.

A moment later I jerk backward as the door opens, and my father stands there.

“Raven? What exactly are you doing?”

“Just heading to the library,” I lie.

I try to meet Falcon’s gaze through the door to the study, but he seems to be looking beyond me.

To complete my ruse, I walk through the door next to the study. I don’t want a book. I don’t feel like reading. All I can think about is what a mess all of this is.

A second later, I correct my thinking. I’m alive. Every day is a gift. Every obstacle is a gift. I’m going to get through this. My family will get through this.

And Vinnie…

Vinnie, who sneaked out of my bed in the middle of the night and left no communication at all. Vinnie, who I haven’t heard from since then.

Vinnie…who I love.

How do you fall in love so quickly? Because there’s no doubt in my mind that it is love. Something I’ve never felt before, and I’ve had plenty of boyfriends. One or two serious relationships even.

Never did I consider a life with any of those men.

But Vinnie? Despite what he does for a living, if he asked, I’d have him in a heartbeat.

I grab a book off the shelf. I don’t even bother looking at the title, and when I leave the library, I look for Falcon and Leif. I walk down the hallway, and I find them still talking to my father, but in the kitchen this time.

I walk past them to the family room where I sit down with the book.

I need to speak to Falcon alone. A man is dead.

What the hell is this screwed-up world I’m living in?

I should get past Vinnie. He’s not good for me. He told me as much.

But my God…

He invades my every thought. Every single thought.

I need to see him. At least talk to him. Find out why he left so abruptly. Tell him what happened to Brick Latham.

He hasn’t answered, but maybe he’ll answer if I use the burner phone Falcon gave me.

I punch in the number.

No answer. It eventually goes to voicemail.

You’ve reached Vincent Gallo Junior. I apologize that I can’t take your call at the moment. Please leave a detailed message and I’ll return your call as soon as I get the chance.

That’s it, in his beautiful deep monotone voice.

Nothing like how it sounded when he was looking in my eyes, telling me how beautiful I am.

Will he return the call this time?

I open the book that I pulled off the library shelf. Then I laugh out loud. The Godfather by Mario Puzo.

I grabbed a fucking Mafia book.

Who says the universe doesn’t have a sense of humor?