“How wonderful for him,” I sneered, clenching my hands tighter. I hated myself for even being there. Did Dennis Falco really believe by leaving me half of his business he would somehow be absolved from the horrible thing he did? Did he think I would just forgive him?
Mr. Mateo sat up, his fancy leather desk chair squeaking as he shifted his weight, and opened the folder in front of him. After slipping his glasses back on, he grabbed an envelope and slid it across the desk to me. “He asked that you get this letter.”
A letter? What could this man have to say to me? I’m sorry for what I did? I’m sorry I ruined your life? I stared at the legal-sized envelope, debating whether or not I should leave it. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate middle finger to Dennis Falco? Then Mr. Mateo grabbed what looked like a brochure and placed it beside the envelope. Hesitantly, I picked up the brochure and read over it.
The brochure was covered with pictures of what appeared to be clients on their jumps, with pictures taken while in the air. Opening it, in the center was a photo of a tan-complexioned man, Italian maybe, with big brown eyes and the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. He looked like he had a thousand teeth all perfectly placed. He’d definitely had braces at some point in his life—teeth were a specialty of mine. And he had the cutest dimples—as if he wasn’t already gorgeous enough.
Above his picture in bold lettering was: MEET EPIC, STUNTMAN EXTRODINAIRE.
“That’s Paul James. He’s your partner,” Mr. Mateo volunteered.
“They call him ‘Epic’?”
“He was a movie stuntman until he got injured. That was a few years ago. He’s a bit of a draw for the business.”
Moving my gaze back to the envelope, I continued debating whether I should take it or not. “Does his nephew know about this? About him leaving me half?”
“He knows half of the business was left to someone, but not who.”
“This is . . . surreal,” I managed.
Mr. Mateo gave a sad smile. “The business is very hands-on. Mr. Falco jumped almost every day until he got too bad off to. His nephew, Paul, also jumps every day. While the business is successful and profitable, your half would only sell for forty or fifty thousand judging by the numbers I’ve been provided.”
“How long do I have?”
“Thirty days. In thirty days if you have not taken possession it will be sold to Paul and you’ll be paid the value of your half. I hate to cut this meeting short, but I have an appointment across town, but here’s my card.” He slid the tiny card beside the envelope and stood. “If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.”
Numbness blanketed me as I grabbed the envelope and card and slipped them in my purse. The man who killed my parents, robbed me of a beautiful childhood with my mother and father, left me half of his skydiving business. This is the kind of shit you just can’t make up.
After I left Mr. Mateo’s office I headed back to my hotel room, feeling completely deflated. I’d only arrived in Virginia the day before and I already hated it. It was eighty-five degrees when I landed and that day it was forty-two. My allergies were going nuts, and it felt like someone had dropkicked me in the face.
After shedding my dress pants and heels, I slid on my favorite sweats and lay on my bed. I looked at my cell and sighed. No new messages. Kurt must’ve had another hectic day, but I dialed him up anyway, knowing he’d probably be interested to hear what the lawyer had to tell me.
“Babe,” Kurt answered.
“Hi,” I squeaked, surprised he answered on the first ring.
“How’d it go today?”
“Well,” I sighed. “Apparently I’m the proud half owner of a skydiving business.”
Silence.
“Kurt? You there?”
“Skydiving?” he questioned.
I rolled to my side and let out a longer sigh. I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. “Yes. He left me half of a skydiving business.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, letting my gaze flick to my purse. “I’m guessing it’s his way of saying he’s sorry.” I paused as I glanced again at my purse, where the letter Mr. Mateo gave me remained. “He left me a letter.”
“What does it say?”
“I haven’t opened it yet. I’m not sure I want to.”
“Babe,” Kurt said his pet name for me, his underlined pity prevalent in his tone. “Are you okay?”
Licking my lips, I inhaled deeply and nodded yes a few times before answering. I know he couldn’t see me, but I guess I was confirming it with myself first. I am okay. I will be okay.
“Yeah. It’s just . . . hard, I guess.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. Things have been so hectic at work.”
“I know,” I assured him, even though I really wished he would’ve come with me. “I’m okay. I have to decide what to do within thirty days or they’ll automatically sell my half and give me the money.”
I finished telling Kurt what the attorney said. I also told him about this so-called man they called Epic, too. “What are you going to do?” he asked.
“Is it wrong I’d like to sell it and burn the money?”