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Tessa sent them all a tight, professional smile before she bustled away to order a dozen egg, bacon, and potato burritos from the Mexican food place down the street everyone loved.
The flurry of activity continued all morning, and a few hours later, she was awaiting a call about the delivery of the subs she’d ordered for lunch when her desk phone rang.
“EM Security Management, this is Tessa. How may I direct your call?”
“Tessa, this is your…stepmother, Kathleen.”
She’d never heard the woman’s voice, but a glance at the display told her the woman was calling from her dad’s number.
Something was wrong.
“What’s happened?”
“Your father had a heart attack this morning. About an hour ago. They’re stabilizing him now. He’d want you to know.”
“How serious is it?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Tessa wanted to ask a million questions at the same time she wanted to scream. If this woman hadn’t been trying to cut communication between her and her dad since they’d gotten married, she might have known from talking to him that his health had been in decline. He might even have told her he didn’t feel well, or she might have picked up on the signs. Something.
But the blame game didn’t do either of them any good right now.
“Which hospital?”
“The one on the north side of Knoxville. I forget the name. I’m all turned upside down. He seemed all right yesterday…”
Thankfully, Tessa knew the facility she meant. “I’m coming there.”
“He may not be able to see anyone,” Kathleen warned.
That might be true, but this woman wasn’t coming between them anymore. Besides, how awful would she feel if the worst happened to her father and she hadn’t even made the effort to see him? “And maybe he will. I’ll call this number back as soon as I make my arrangements.”
“A-all right.”
Tessa ended the call. She could tell from the reluctance in Kathleen’s voice that the woman needed a shoulder and an ear. Whatever her faults, she seemingly cared about Daddy. But if he survived this, there would be some changes.
Right now, she had to tell the bosses she was leaving and hope they didn’t fire her. And it terrified her to leave Cash alone in her house for days; God knew what a mess he’d make of it. But all those worries were secondary. Dad came first.
Quickly, she snatched up her purse and shut down her computer, then jogged down the hall, heart racing, worry burning her veins.
When she appeared in the doorway, Logan looked up. “If the sandwiches have come, can you just bring them here? We need to break this info down and we don’t have a moment to spare.”
Tessa closed her eyes. Of all the lousy timing…
“She’s not here about sandwiches,” Zy cut in as she heard him coming toward her. “What’s wrong?”
She opened her eyes. He knew. One look at her face, and he could tell something wasn’t right.
“I-it’s my dad. He’s had a heart attack.”
“In Tennessee?” Zy prompted. “What do you know so far?”
“Nothing.” And it was killing her.
He took her hand. “Is there even a hospital in Rocky Top?”
She shook her head. “But it’s not too far.” She looked around him at Hunter, Logan, and Joaquin at the front of the conference room. “I need to go.”
Hunter nodded. “Family first. Let us know how y’all are doing.”
“I will. I feel so terrible for bailing—”
“Don’t. Take care of your dad.”
Her eyes prickled with tears. “I will. I hope you’re able to get One-Mile out alive.”
Then she turned away to pick up Hallie, head home, find a flight, pack a bag… She had a million things to do.
“Hey,” Zy called after her. “I’ll give you a ride to the airport.”
It was so tempting to say yes. To have his steadying presence by her side until she boarded the plane to take her to the uncertainty that awaited her in Tennessee. But Zy would have to come to the house. Cash would see him. And it would get ugly.
“Thanks, but…I’m sure Cash will take me.”
He turned to stone as if her words assaulted him. “Of course. Hope your dad is all right. Let us know if you need anything.”
She nodded. “For what it’s worth, thank you for offering.”
“Sure. Bye.”
“Bye.” Her whisper sounded about ten seconds long. She was desperate to make her moments with Zy last because she felt so safe with him. Because when she was with him, she somehow believed her world would be okay. Because she never worried he wasn’t strong enough to share her problems.
Because deep down she knew Cash could never be that man.
That thought haunted her as she and Hallie climbed onto an airplane a few hours later, jetting to uncertainty and potential heartbreak.
Thursday, September 11
Guerrero, Mexico
Zy sat in the back of the run-down white catering van, emblazoned on both sides with a sombrero-wearing chihuahua, dancing next to a blue margarita. If the food was as shitty as their art—and their shock absorbers—he was glad he’d eaten elsewhere. But Joaquin had arrived in Mexico the day before the rest of the EM team to make arrangements. And he had to give the quietest of his bosses credit. No one looking at this vehicle bouncing down the uneven road would think five armed-to-the-teeth operatives sat in back. They’d just see what seemed like a silver-haired man driving with the sunset in his rearview mirror, going who knew where.
