No, it’s Novak. I may have been born a Singer, but the Novaks raised me, and I loved them.
My parents looked happy in the photo.They look like they love me.
Maybe they were victims, not criminals. Maybe that’s why they disappeared from my life without a trace. Maybe they didn’t want to leave me alone in the world.
“Why are you asking me all these questions?”
I had a thousand of my own racing around in my mind. How’d they find me? How’d they know I was the kid in the picture? Was I in trouble? Did my parents want to see me after all this time?
“I’m trying to connect the pieces, but I’m still missing too many.”
Austin stood. John did the same.
My ass stayed glued to my chair.
“Thank you for your time, Miss… Nina,” Austin corrected himself as he held out his hand.
“That’s it?” I wanted to know more.
Ignoring the manners my parents instilled in me, I didn’t say you’re welcome as I reluctantly handed back the only photo I’d ever seen of my biological parents.
“Is it okay if I call you if I have any more questions?”
“You can call me,” John answered.
I wasn’t a Sheppard, but damn it felt good knowing John was on my side.
“Copy that.” They shook hands.
“Nina, why don’t you stay here for a minute while I walk Austin and Gibson out.”
The door opened. The door closed.
“Okay,” I whispered to the empty room as ugly tears streamed down my face.
Chapter 18
Austin
“What the fuck, Winchester, you going soft on me?” Ryan barely let Grannie’s door close behind us before he ripped me a new asshole.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath without breaking stride.
“I told you, Nina working for my aunt complicates things. Why’d you go all supreme dickhead and make things worse?” My voice wasn’t any calmer than his.
“We’ve taken too many risks to let your family fuck things up.”
“They won’t.” We crossed the street and passed our boring black van out of habit.Never let them see you get into your vehicle. “Christ, just… let me handle them.”
As much as I hated to admit it, if things went south, as they so often did, we might benefit from SSI’s experience and capabilities.
Especially Doug’s.
Doug Sharpe. US Air Force tech wizard, civilian tech support at Chicago PD, willing to seek forgiveness rather than ask questions, engaged to Beth Wyatt.
Beth Wyatt. Widow with an eight-year-old son, Chase, manager at Grannie’s. John and Mary are Chase’s godparents.
What a fucking clusterfuck.
