42
The hotel’s cheap plastic chair seems to wobble beneath me.
Will’s question rattles around inside my brain and makes my breath catch. It’s a good question.
Had I gotten Father killed?
Will’s got his poker face on, but it’s nothing compared to Deke’s expressionless mask.
And I don’t have the “no” answer I want to give.
I force myself to take a deep breath and look Will in the eye. “I haven’t seen Ayaka for two years, and after last time I promised myself that I’d never wo—go near her again. As far as I know, she had no idea he was my father, and she had no reason to go after either Deke or me.” I lick my chapped lips and make myself shrug. “If it turns out I did get Father killed, we’ll deal with it then.”
Will studies my face for an uncomfortable moment, then nods. “All right. Fo
