“I’ll be back,” Orin said.
He turned and disappeared into the shadows. A second later, his reemergence was followed by the clink of metal as something shifted behind him. Cole’s shoulders hunched up in preparation for an attack, and his hand went to his sword’s hilt.
She couldn’t see what the darkness hid, but she felt the ripple of shock that ran through Cole as his hand fell from his sword.
A second later, the clanking of more metal was followed by her father’s emergence from the shadows. Lexi’s heart stopped beating before it lurched so forcefully it bruised her ribs when it knocked against them. Her breath caught, her hands started shaking, and something in her brain fractured.
It couldn’t be her dad. He was dead; they’d received notice of hisdeath. Cole was there when it happened, but itwashim.
That was his pale blond hair and brilliant blue eyes twinkling with love as they landed on her. Except, they weren’t as bright as she recalled. Now, shadows surrounded them, and they were filled with a sadness she’d never seen in them before.
Dirt streaked his face, a beard hid his jaw, and his hair was longer than ever before as it curled around his broad shoulders. He was thinner too, but not unbearably so.
He’d always been clean-shaven and had his hair neatly trimmed. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever seen him disheveled… until now.
“Dad?” she croaked.
Though he looked so different, the brilliant smile splitting his face was all his. It washim!
A sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob issued from her as she lunged forward. Cole’s hand fell away from her arm as she staggered across the space separating them. She flung her arms around her father.
“Daddy,” she breathed as she buried her face in his neck and sobbed.
Chapter Thirty
Cole watchedin disbelief as the father and daughter embraced. Then warmth spread through him as Lexi’s joy became palpable as she clung to her dad.
When Del lifted his hands to try to hug her back, the clinking metal drew Cole’s attention to the thick, metal cuffs encasing Del’s wrists. Another thick chain ran from the manacles to the shackles on his ankles.
Cole’s gaze shot to his brother, and his hand returned to his sword. With his shock wearing off, he realized Orin had kept things from him. He didn’t know exactly what was going on here, but he would find out.
“Step away from them,” Cole growled as he fixed his murderous stare on Orin.
“Easy, brother,” Orin murmured as he edged away from Lexi and Del.
It took a few more minutes, but Lexi finally released her dad and stepped back. Her hands fell to the chains on his wrists, and she frowned as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. With confusion marring her brow, she gazed from Del to the chains and back again.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Orin said. “Which is why Del is here.”
Lexi blinked at Orin before understanding settled over her. “Youdid this?Youbrought him back?How?”
“I have my ways, Kitten,” Orin said.
“Moveaway,” Cole commanded as he pulled his sword free.
Resentment seethed in Orin’s eyes as he inched further away from them. Cole kept his gaze on Orin as he walked over to them.
“Are you okay, Del?” he demanded.
He clasped his friend’s hand and shook it as he kept his attention on Orin. He and Del clapped each other on the back before stepping apart.
“I’m fine.”
“Where have you been?”
“Your brother decided I was better off behind bars. He imprisoned me on an outer realm.”
