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“Yeah, I figured you say that. Why don’t we piece together what we can tomorrow? I still have a few contacts I can hassle for info, and I’ll keep searching the dark web for chatter. Go spend time with that woman of yours before it’s too late.”
I nodded.
“Incidentally, she headed outside remaining close to the building. No big deal since the other security is in place. I just think you should go find her.”
He grinned before walking out of the room. I’d forgotten how much I’d missed spending time with him. I’d shut down everything for far too long.
Death had always been a part of my world, the concept never bothering me until the last mission. That’s when the weight of living had placed a heavy burden on my shoulders. Tonight it was suffocating, the moment of self-worth and every loss I’d experienced clawing at my insides. Jeremy had spoken of love, which is something I’d never wanted, had never believed in.
Until now.
But as the saying went, sometimes loving someone meant finding the courage to let the person go.
Only I wasn’t the kind of man to allow that to happen.
I needed Isabella in my life more than the air I breathed.
And nothing would stop me from making her mine.
Forever.
CHAPTER14
Jagger
“I always wanted Tom to be your father,” my mother whispered. “He’s such a good man. He’s the only person who ever believed in me.”
I brushed hair from her pale face, trying to keep my shit together. There was no doubt she was dying, but for the first time in as long as I could remember, she was at peace. “It’s okay, Mama. I think I turned out just fine.” I’d searched for my birth father, the trail leading to a prison in Colorado. The man was a fucking murderer. I’d never wanted her to learn what I’d discovered. She’d tried to hide his identity, pretending he was a decent man who died in an accident.
Sighing, she closed her eyes, and I was forced to accept the time was close. I wanted to scream at her for dying on me, leaving me alone, but at least she’d never be forced to endure this kind of mental and physical torture again. “I love you, Mama.”
I was surprised when she grabbed my hand, squeezing it with more pressure than I thought possible. “I lied to you. I’m sorry.”
“What did you lie about?”
“Everything,” she sobbed. As she started to speak, her words were barely audible. I lowered my head, allowing her to whisper in my ear.
And seconds later, she was gone.
The memory had presented itself at the wrong damn time, her dying words ones I’d tried to forget, even though they’d altered the course of my life. Yet I’d ignored it. Why? I couldn’t answer.
Maybe that would come with time.
I stared at the glass of whiskey as I’d done so many times before then returned it to the bar untouched. As I yanked the envelope into my fingers, I wasn’t entirely certain the smartest thing wouldn’t be to burn it in the fireplace.
Sighing, I finally decided to open it, tugging the papers into my hand. After unfolding them, I closed my eyes briefly before making the commitment to find the truth.
As I shifted from one page to the other, I was surprised at my lack of emotion. Maybe that would come later or maybe I was remembering the various papers filled out by military doctors after my rescue. I shoved them back into the envelope, returning to the window.
Somehow, Jeremy’s words rephrased from what I’d told him continued to play out in my mind. Maybe he was right in his assessment. What I didn’t want was to remain alone. Not for tonight. Not for any additional nights.
I took the stairs two at a time, finding the door to the bedroom Jeremy had given her cracked. An invitation. I stood just outside for a full two minutes before moving past and heading to the guest room where I’d dropped my duffle bags. After yanking the papers into my hand for a second time, I balled the information in my fist, yanking the bag of clothes I’d brought from the closet and shoving the damning bullshit into one of the pockets.
When my hand hit the small box with the piece of jewelry, I pulled it out and leaned against the wall. Would there ever be a right time? Not in the middle of this shit. I headed down the hallway, slowly opening the door.
Two candles were lit but there was no other light in the room. The door leading to the balcony was open and there was soft music coming from at least two speakers in the room.
After finding her outside, I stood in the shadows watching her. When I walked out, she lifted her head toward the sky.
