Chapter 6 - The Cleansing of the PastTwo days later, the morning sun broke over the desert horizon, bathing Las Vegas in a brilliant, golden light as Arthur, Julian, and I stood on the private tarmac at Harry Reid International Airport.
Arthur’s corporate Gulfstream jet was idling nearby, its stairs lowered, ready to carry us back to our home in London.
Before we boarded, a sleek white sedan pulled up near the perimeter fence.
The rear door opened, and Lily stepped out, holding three-year-old Isabella in her arms. Eleanor sat in the front passenger seat, looking through the glass window, too ashamed to step out onto the asphalt.
Lily walked slowly across the tarmac, stopping ten feet from us. She looked exhausted, but the wild, desperate terror that had consumed her two days ago had settled into a quiet, humbled acceptance.
“Claire,” Lily said softly, her voice barely carrying over the hum of the jet engines.
I stepped forward, looking at my younger sister.
“Dante’s attorneys met with my lawyer yesterday morning,” Lily revealed, a faint, sad smile touching her lips. “He signed the master trust fund papers for Isabella. He gave us the house in Henderson permanently, and an independent monthly allowance that can never be revoked.”
“Good,” I said quietly. “You and Isabella deserve security.”
Lily looked down at her feet, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “He told me he’s leaving Las Vegas next month, Claire. He’s handing the active casino operations over to his capos and moving to Chicago permanently. He said this city smells like ghosts.”
I looked over at Arthur, who was holding Julian near the jet stairs, letting our son point at the silver wings of the aircraft.
“The city only has ghosts if you refuse to let the past die, Lily,” I said gently.
Lily looked up at me, her hazel eyes filling with fresh tears. “Can I… can I ever call you, Claire? In a year? Or two? When I’ve grown up?”
I looked at my younger sister—at the girl I had once promised to protect, who had fallen into the trap of a dangerous man and paid for it with her youth.
“When you’re ready to be my sister again, Lily,” I answered softly, “you know where to find me.”
May you like
I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around her in a brief, warm embrace, and kissed little Isabella’s cheek.
Then I turned on my heel, walked up the stairs of the jet, and joined my husband and son inside the warm, luxurious cabin.
