Page 44 of Silver Sinner

My heart squeezes in my chest. Given Layla's clear devotion to Maddie, it's heartbreaking to learn she grew up in such an unforgiving environment. "What was her father arrested for?"

"Petty theft." Moses taps the screen again. "I checked who he was incarcerated with but there are no ties to any organization. Dude was dumb enough to get caught but smart enough to keep his head down."

"What else?"

"Layla vanishes for a couple of years after she reaches New York. Swallowed by the sea of homeless and disenfranchised, I think. I found a couple of possible sightings at some soup kitchens, one shelter, and a church, but nothing concrete. Not until six and a half years ago, when she resurfaced in the hospital, pregnant and in distress. A few minor complications, nothing life-threatening. From there, she was put up in a hostel by a charity, got a job as a delivery girl for a florist for a few months until the baby came, then found her apartment and has been living there quietly ever since."

On the surface, it's good news. Nothing screams that Layla has a connection with the Russian mafia. But the absence of that information makes Trik's visit to her home even more confusing. What happened to her in the years she disappeared?

"She's twenty-seven now," I murmur, following a speck of light below. "So she was missing for at least a year, eighteen months maybe?"

"Give or take," Moses agrees. "I've gone as deep as we do on everyone but until I get something to go on for the time she was missing, it's a black hole. Unless…" Moses finally lifts his head. "You could just ask her. Even if it's a lie, it'll tell us something."

"Do you know I didn't first meet her at the diner?" My hands clasp loosely together as I lean on the railing. "I first met her in the street. It wasn't long after Adrian got out of the hospital after being gutted by that Italian prick. I was… angry. At myself. At the world. I couldn't wrap my head around someone trying to take my brother from me. And she crashed into me on the sidewalk. She was in a hurry for something and had her arms full of all these bags and she just…" I clap my hands lightly together. "She ran into me and fell. And then she started apologizing. She was so sweet and so kind and she just… over and over while scrambling around for her fallen stuff. It felt like the universe was trying to tell me it was sorry for what happened and sent her to do it."

I scoff and lower my head between my shoulders.

"The pin on her dress told me where she worked and so I went there. She was there, as bright as ever. And the rest, as they say, is history."

Moses remains quiet for a few long minutes as we just bask in the quiet night air. Then, he takes a breath.

"I know you care for her. I know you have for a long time, but we can't ignore this, Pierce. It will hurt if it's true and she was a trap laid for you. But at the same time, there might be an innocent explanation for all of it. You could ask her, in a roundabout way. Keep it light and non-suspicious. In the end, it's better to know the truth, don't you think?"

I nod, as much as I hate his logical way of thinking. "You're right. I know you are. I'm just not sure I'm prepared for either answer."

"Then let's go get one."

A week later, I climb the steps to Layla's apartment with my arms loaded with bags of food and an offer to cook for her on the tip of my tongue.

15

LAYLA

A knock at the door sends my heart thundering up into my throat. I sit on the chair facing the lounge door with a glass of wine in one hand as my rampant, worried thoughts are silenced by the rap of knuckles against wood.

Who is it?

I glance at my phone, where several messages to Harry, the parent in charge of the group sleepover, are displayed. He's going to think I'm a helicopter parent, but after Trik's threat, letting Maddie go to the sleepover was rather terrifying. But Harry works in private security, and several other parents will be there, so everything should be fine. I didn't have the heart to cancel something Maddie had been looking forward to for so long, especially while needing to pick up extra shifts at work.

So everything will be fine.

It should be.

Trik doesn't get to control my life. Not after all these years.

The knocking comes again. I force a deep breath and climb to my feet. Approaching the front door makes the hallway seem overly long and I keep the chain on as I unlock it and pull it open, peering out. Where I fear to see Trik, I'm relieved to see Pierce standing there with his charming smile and arms filled with bags.

"Pierce?" Work has been insanely busy, so we've only spoken in passing this week, with barely any time to acknowledge what happened between us. Now he's on my doorstep with… bags?

"Layla." His smile grows warm. "I'm here to apologize."

My brows lift. "What?"

"I've been so busy with work that I haven't had a chance to talk to you. I was going to call, but then I realized we never exchanged numbers." His eyes crinkle as he laughs. "So I thought, what better way to make it up to you than to drop by and make you dinner?"

Only a man like Pierce would try to apologize for not being in contact. I can't keep the smile from my face but as we lock eyes, only one thought comes to mind.

Trik.