Deric’s POV

The rain was light, barely a drizzle, but enough to cloud the windshield in gentle sheets. I didn’t bother turning on the wipers. Just sat there in the parked car across from Carlton’s building, watching the light above his front door flicker every few seconds. 

I’d rehearsed what I’d say a hundred times. “I’m sorry,” or maybe, “I understand where you were coming from.” But none of it felt right. Because the truth was, I did understand, but not fully. Slapping me across the face for releasing Elvira? That was personal. 

Still, I had to be here. Ava would want me to be. And maybe that’s why he...