Chapter 2

The car was packed. Our cheap sedan sat in the driveway, a ticking time bomb.

"Alright, girls, time to hit the road!" Frank called out, jingling the keys.

My mother grabbed her purse, her face alight with a rare excitement. This trip was a big deal for her.

It was now or never.

As I stepped out the front door, I let my breath catch in my throat. I pressed a hand to my chest, my eyes wide.

"Chloe? What is it?" my mother asked, rushing to my side.

"I can't... I can't breathe," I gasped, making my voice tremble. "The car... I have a bad feeling. A really bad feeling."

Frank rolled his eyes. "Oh, for God's sake. Don't start with this drama now. We're on a schedule."

"No, Dad, I'm serious," I said, my voice rising in manufactured panic. "My chest hurts. I feel like something terrible is going to happen if we get in that car."

I sank to my knees on the lawn, forcing tears to my eyes.

"Chloe!" My mother knelt beside me, her face etched with worry. "Frank, maybe we should wait."

"Wait? We're not waiting," he snapped. "It's just a panic attack. Get in the car, Chloe."

"Please," I sobbed, clutching my mother's arm. "Please, just... let's get it checked. There's a garage just a few miles down the road. Please, Mom. For me."

My mother looked from my tear-streaked face to Frank's thunderous one. For the first time in a long time, she hesitated to obey him.

"Frank, it will only take a few minutes," she pleaded. "It would make her feel better. It would make me feel better."

He let out a long, frustrated sigh. "Fine! Fine! Waste of time and money, but fine. Let's go. But we're not going to be late because of this nonsense."

He stomped to the car and got in, slamming the door.

My mother helped me up, her touch gentle. "It's okay, sweetie. We'll get it checked. It's probably nothing."

Oh, it was something.

We drove in silence to the dusty roadside garage. While we waited, I knew I had to push her further.

"Mom," I started, my voice low. "Why are we really going to Vegas? It's not just a vacation, is it?"

She looked away, her hands twisting in her lap. "Of course it is, Chloe. A little fun for us."

"Don't lie to me," I said, the coldness in my voice surprising her. "Frank wouldn't spend this kind of money on 'fun' for us. What's going on?"

She finally broke, her shoulders slumping.

"My father is dying," she whispered, the words rusty from disuse. "My brother, Rick... he called me. He said it was time to come say goodbye."

My grandfather. A man I'd never met. A family I never knew.

"You told me they were dead," I said, my voice hollow.

"It was easier that way," she confessed, tears welling in her eyes. "They hated Frank. Rick... he was furious when I married him. He called Frank a worthless lowlife. They said I had to choose. So I chose your father."

She chose wrong.

And this powerful, wealthy family she'd abandoned was my only hope. My Uncle Rick was the key.