“Oh, honey. I know that’s not true.” Jennie frowned. “I wish I had more savings. It’s my fault you’re struggling right now.”
Lex shook her head. “Are you kidding me? You raised me and Tori all by yourself, and you worked your butt off to do it.” For years, her mother had worked as a waitress, giving her daughters everything. “I love you, Mom.”
Her mom smiled, new wrinkles moving near her eyes. “I love you, too. Soon Tori will be home, and we can have some good family time together. Where is she, again?”
“On tour in California.” Pride filled Lex’s voice. Her baby sister was the lead singer in a pretty damn good band.
Jennie smiled. “My family is the best.” She cleared her throat, her gaze dropping to her hands.
Awareness pricked through Lex. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” Her mom’s lips trembled.
Heat flushed down Lex’s chest. “Mom?”
Her mom bit her lip and then slowly drew an envelope out from behind her back. “I, ah, got this yesterday.”
Lex froze. Damn it. Her hands somehow remaining steady, she reached for the envelope, clearly stamped with WASHINGTON STATE PENITENTIARY on the outside. “How does he know your address?” she asked, turning over the envelope, which had already been opened.
“I don’t know,” Jennie whispered. “He’s always been able to find me.”
Lex nodded and drew out the college-ruled sheet of paper. The scent of smoke wafted around. Taking a deep breath, she began to read.
Dear Jennie,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a flare up and are having trouble walking. I loved those hips. Just kidding. Well, not really. But I am sorry you’ve had problems. I really must get in touch with Alexandra. She’s in trouble, and I have to speak with her. Please try to talk her into a visit. Just one. Her life depends on it.
I’ll always love you and my baby girls.
Love,
Parker
Lex managed to keep her expression serene as she folded up the paper and inserted it in the envelope. “I’m sorry he found you.”
Jennie shrugged. “It’s okay. I did love him, you know, even after I discovered who he was and what he did. All that money didn’t matter.”
“I know.” Lex rubbed her eyes. She’d been twelve years old when the cops had taken her daddy away in handcuffs for being one of the biggest cocaine dealers on the west coast. That moment had scarred her for life. To the point that the only career choice she could make was to get drug dealers and bad guys off the streets. “But he was a bad guy.”
Jennie drew a deep breath. “He’s up for parole again.”
“He killed three people.” Lex tried not to let concern enter her voice. “He won’t get out.” She’d make damn sure of it. Again.
“He might.” Jennie’s dark brown eyes sobered. “Would it be so bad? I mean, he’s definitely done his time.”
Lex’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding? Do you still want to see him?”
“I loved him, Lexi.” Jennie shook her head. “You haven’t felt that yet, so it’s hard to describe. I think he’s done his time, and it’d be nice for him to be able to start over.” She cleared her throat. “He’s changed in prison, and he regrets how he treated me. People do change.”
A chill swept over Lex’s arms. The only reason her father wanted her to visit was so he could talk her into either advocating for him at his hearing or ask her not to show up and testify against him. She wasn’t in any danger. “You can’t seriously be thinking of helping him?”
Jennie clasped thin hands together in her lap. “Everyone deserves a second chance. He was a good husband and a good father.”
“He was a drug dealer who supplied to anybody, even kids, including my friend who died in our backyard.” Taylor had been a sweet kid from a crappy home, and he’d spent all the earnings from his fast-food job buying drugs from Parker Monzelle. Finally, one day, he’d OD’d in the back yard, the police had been called, and then the world had changed for her family.
Lex shook her head. “Dad killed at least three rival drug dealers that we know about. In addition, don’t you remember how badly he used to talk down to you?” The words exploded from Lex, and she drew herself up short with a hard inhale.
“He’s been in prison for more than two decades, and I think he’s changed.” Jennie held her hand out for the envelope.
Lex glanced at the envelope and then slowly handed it over. “He knows how to find you because you tell him,” she said slowly, realization dawning.
A light pink filtered under Jennie’s still smooth skin. “Yes.”
“God.” Lex jumped to her feet and began to pace. No way did Tori know about this. “Mom. How could you?”