Page 121 of Thorns and Ashes
“Yeah. She also said that most of the fire was contained to my side of the duplex, so most of your things are in perfect shape,” he adds.
“I guess that’s a relief. It’s not like I can afford to get a whole new wardrobe.” I throw my clothes on, a sweater dress, and leggings with a pair of cute boots that match, but before we leave, there’s one more thing I’m ready to talk about, and since we’re already at the hospital, might as well rip off the bandaid.
“I need to tell you something,” I say softly, taking a seat on the side of the hospital bed.
“Mhm,” Levi hums suspiciously.
“Wait.” I narrow my eyes on him. “Someone told you.”
“The highlights, yeah,” he admits.
I roll my eyes in frustration. I wanted to be the one to tell him everything about my father’s case and what I’ve been up to, but I should have known. Secrets don’t always stay secret in a small town.
“Don’t be mad. I was only clued in after the consensus was that I was being a total idiot, and given what they told me, they were right,” he sighs. “I’m sorry, Tris. For everything I said, for how I reacted. I shouldn’t have tried to tell you what to do. I should have trusted that you know what you’re doing. I can’t say I’ll ever be a fan of your father, but you’re not him. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Forgive me?”
Straight to the point, but it’s everything I’ve needed to hear.
“Thank you,” I say, taking his hand. “I don’t think my father is ever going to be afanof me ever again, so I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
A tear trails slowly down my cheek, and he softly wipes at it.
“What happened at the U.S. Attorney’s office?” he asks, slowly.
I take a deep breath and explain to Levi exactly what evidence I found, what the documents said, how the bank records have my name on them, and the cash. Finally, I tell him what they found when they plugged in the USB. A payment ledger, emails ignoring safety warnings, and one recorded phone call confirming the bribe from Mr. Arias. It was all on there and more. There was so much evidence my father thought he could use as blackmail, but in the end, it sealed his fate.
“With all things considered, I won’t be charged, which is good. They are going to offer my father a plea deal, thanks to the restitution money for all the families and the evidence that willhelp take down everyone else involved. However, he will still have to serve around fifteen years in prison.” Another tear falls down my cheek, but this time I wipe at it harshly.
“I don’t even know why I’m crying. This is what I wanted. He needs to take accountability for what he’s done, and without this, he may have still been found guilty and had to do thirty to life anyway, so really I did him a favor.”
I look up from my seat on the bed and find Levi’s steady gaze, grounding me.
“He’s still your father. I’m sorry he’s not the one you deserved.”
My throat constricts at his words, and I fight back the tears that fill my eyes.
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “Thanks.”
I’m about to tell Levi, let’s get out of here, when the sound of rapid footsteps growing louder catches my attention, and Rory appears in the doorway.
“Bitch!” she cries out and jumps onto the bed, practically tackling me with a hug as a sob escapes her.
“Brat,” I say, the word never sounding more like a term of endearment.
I try to pull back, but Rory’s grip doesn’t loosen, and her body trembles in my arms.
“Oh, honey,” I say softly, hugging her tighter. “I’m okay. I promise.”
Slowly, she pulls back, and I drop my arms. Her big blue eyes look like saucers, and they're tinged red, looking me over for any sign that what I’m saying might not be true.
“I can’t lose anyone else that I love,” she sniffles, and the tears that were in my eyes before return, but this time I let them fall.
I forget sometimes because Rory is only twenty-two, how much she has already been through. How strong she has beenbecause she’s had to be. But right now, she looks every bit the little sister that she’s become to me.
I wrap my arms again around her and softly rub her back. “I’m not that easy to get rid of.”
I feel her chuckle and take a deep breath as she slowly nods her head against my chest.
“Okay, good,” she says before pulling away and wiping the tears from her face. “The doctors finally told us it would be okay to come in and visit you. I sort of ran, but everyone else should be here shortly.”
