Chapter 8
“WOW, THAT WAS EVEN HARDER than I expected,” Kayn said, still kneeling by Ahri’s chair after they’d hung up from the phone call to their mother. “I’m glad you didn’t tell her how he died.”
When Ahri’s eyes welled with tears again, he pulled her into another embrace. She was so glad he’d been there with her. What would she have done if she’d still been alone in Arizona when she’d received the news?
At least telling her mother hadn’t been as traumatic as talking to Zed’s sister had been. The police had already informed them, and the family was making plans for the funeral. Not surprisingly, she’d made it clear Ahri need not attend. Even expecting that response, it still hurt.
“I still think you should come back to my suite,” Kayn said when she stopped crying.
“I need to have people around. It’s better for me here.” As long as Francie was agreeable, Ahri meant to stay there, at least until she knew what she was going to do next—and as long as her presence posed no danger to the Diederiks.
At the sound of cars pulling up outside, Kayn rose. Francie had suggested the guys be invited for dinner. Ahri’s hostess was understanding and intuitive, maybe because she’d also lost a husband. She must have realized that Ahri would have retreated if left to her own devices.
“They’re here,” he said. “You sure you’re up to this meeting after the meal?”
Ahri nodded and pulled more tissues from the box by her bed. “I have to be.”
Kayn held out a hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. He slid her arm through his, and they went down the stairs together.
Ahri sat quietly at the dinner table, grateful everyone kept up a lively discussion, all about work. Their passion for what they did made a good distraction. She thought back on the emotional call to her mother and heaved a sigh.
“How are you holding up?” Rafe whispered.
“I wish I could go to sleep for a month, so this would all be over.” She moved the mostly uneaten food around her plate. “My mother’s emotionally fragile, and it was hard to tell her he was gone. She liked Zed a lot.”
Rafe’s mother reached over and gave Ahri’s hand a squeeze. Francie would understand.
“Well,” Darius said, rising and picking up his plate, “another fantastic meal, Mrs. D. I believe Ez and I will take the little ones out back while you have your meeting with Bill.” He grinned at Nik. “I brought some finger paints, Ace.”
“Yes!” The young boy threw both arms in the air.
“I brought a recorder,” Ezreal’s voice was soft as he looked at Lessa, “in case you want me to teach you how to play it too, since you’re learning to read music now.” It was the most Ahri had heard him say at one time.
“We’ll look forward to the Chess Pie after,” Darius said. “Bring your plate with you Nik.”
Lessa picked up hers and hurried after the artist. Ez shot Ahri a sympathetic glance before he followed the others. Had the shy man actually looked at her on purpose? The rest of the adults quickly cleaned up the meal and went into the living room where Rafe had set up his laptop.
“Don’t feel obligated to include us,” Alex said, his arm around Francie’s shoulders. “We don’t want to intrude.”
“If I’m going to stay here, you’ll need to know what’s going on. You already feel like family.” Ahri rubbed her cold hands together. “I appreciate your support.”
“Are you ready?” Rafe asked.
She nodded.
“Is everyone here that you want to be part of this, Ahri?” Bill asked as soon as his face appeared on the screen.
“Yes,” she said. “Is there no way to keep me safe if I go to the funeral?”
“Why should you bother to go after they said you weren’t welcome?” Kayn asked, his face tight.
“Because it would prove to them that I did love him.”
“You’re still trying to prove yourself to them?” Kayn’s tone was incredulous. He’d never liked Zed and had done a poor job of hiding it. While her mother had been charmed by him, her brother hadn’t forgiven him for not standing up to his family’s poor treatment of Ahri.
“I’d like to honor what we had in the beginning.”
“I completely understand,” Francie said with a meaningful glance at Rafe, who was frowning.
“But if there’s any chance you could be in danger, you shouldn’t go,” Kayn said.
“What if there’s another way?” Francie asked in her quiet voice.
“What do you have in mind, Mrs. Diederik?” Bill asked.
“Well, what if it only looks like she’s there?”
“What?” Kayn asked. “How?”
“Wait.” Rafe raised a hand. “I think I know where my mother’s going with this.
What if we hire an actress to pretend to be Ahri?
Bill could put together a team to film the funeral and keep an eye out on who attends.
That way she could still watch it without being there.
” He glanced at Ahri. “Didn’t you say they haven’t seen you in a couple of years? ”
She nodded, the idea intriguing.
“Your stand-in could wear a black veil,” Alex suggested.
“Isn’t that kind of old school?” Kayn asked.
“Women sometimes still wear veils,” Francie said, “especially to honor a husband.”
“I like the idea, but I won’t put the actress in danger instead of me.” Ahri put as much force in her voice as she could.
“Bill would arrange security,” Rafe said. “I’ve had to do this before, for myself. It was right after we sold the first game and were all over the news. Being the CEO, I was the front man.”
“He ended up with a stalker,” Bill added.
“Oh, yeah.” Kayn nodded. “I’d almost forgotten about that.”
“Lucky you,” Rafe said, his tone flat.
“You never told me that.” Francie sent her son a disapproving look.
“That’s because he had me to take care of it.” Bill shifted his gaze to Ahri. “We’ll make sure the actress is safe. But, I have another suggestion that would go along with the funeral ruse.”
The others who’d started talking, quieted.
“I’d like to set up a decoy in a luxury apartment in New York where Kayn owns property,” Bill said
“My condo?” her brother asked.
“You mean your penthouse,” Rafe said.
“You bought a penthouse?” Ahri asked, shocked. Maybe because she’d never accepted financial help from him, the magnitude of his wealth hadn’t sunk in.
“Hey, it’s an investment.” Kayn shrugged. “The REKD North American finals are held at Madison Square Garden.”
“The four of us stayed there last year,” Rafe added, “and hosted a party with Esports bigwigs who could rub shoulders with city officials and our sponsors. It’s not being used this time of year.”
“Wouldn’t this decoy woman be in danger?” Ahri asked.
“I don’t think they want to hurt you so much as search your possessions,” Bill said.
” I know of a young woman who’s a criminology student in Maryland.
She’s been working part-time in a private investigator’s office, so she has some practical experience.
I’ve spoken with her, and she’d be happy to do this as a paid internship.
Now, do bear in mind that this might all be for nothing.
Whoever stole the truck might have found what they were looking for.
“She’ll travel to the funeral under your name—your maiden name.
The apartment’s already in your brother’s name.
Anyone who might be following her after the funeral will find her at the apartment.
She wouldn’t go out much, but when she did, she’d have a bodyguard.
My goal is to keep their attention focused on that penthouse and away from Boone.
” Bill glanced at Kayn. “I assume you’re not worried about expenses. ”
“No. I’ve got this. I like the idea,” her brother said.
“What do you think?’ Francie asked Ahri.
“I know you’re worried for me,” she said to Kayn, and he gave her one of his duh looks. Remembering her sister-in-law’s chilling tone, she said to Bill, “You’ll have to warn your decoy that she won’t have a good reception from his family at the funeral.”
“I guess that means you’re okay with this?” Rafe asked.
“I can live with it,” Ahri said.
“All right. I’ll set it up. Did they tell you when it is?” Bill asked.
“No, but I found the notice online,” Ahri said. “I’ll send you a link.”
She was rubbing her hands again. Rafe took one and held it between his. His skin warmed more than her hands, sending an unexpected pulse through her. It made her feel alive again, in a way she hadn’t in years.
“Ahri, are you listening?” Kayn asked, pulling her back.
“I’m sorry,” she said, still a little distracted. “What were you saying?” Rafe had released the one hand but took the other, seemingly unconcerned at the way her brother was watching him. She pulled back her hand.
“Bill was asking if you’ve decided on a new last name,” her brother said.
“He didn’t like me going back to my maiden name because of the connection to you. Since most Whites can’t tell Asians apart, I’ll be Ahri Shen.” She glanced at Kayn, waiting for his reaction.
“Chinese?” He spewed the word out like it tasted bad.
“Don’t be racist.” Ahri rolled her eyes. “My best friend in second grade’s last name was Shen.”
“Good reasoning,” Bill said. “What do you plan in the short term?”
“What can I do? It’s not like I have ID for a new identity.” Ahri couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. She hated feeling helpless, having to rely on the charity of others, as kind as they might be about it.
“We’ll get this figured out soon,” Kayn assured her, seeming to understand her feelings.
“How soon?” Ahri couldn’t stop the flow of words.
“I’m in limbo here, you know. I can’t go anywhere.
I can’t even get a job.” She shot a quick look at Francie.
“I’m grateful for the way you’ve opened your home to me.
I love being here and helping you with your garden in exchange for my room and board, so I mean no offense. ”
“None taken.” Francie nodded in understanding. “You’re preaching to the choir, honey. I understand the need to work and be productive, to be in control of your life. I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
Rafe was watching her, his eyes narrowed like he was thinking about something.
“What?” Ahri asked.