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She eased her hand over the table, squeezing mine. “That’s who was in…”
When she stiffened, I could tell she was hiding something. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m so sorry. You never tried to see the little boy?”
“No,” I said, looking away. “I felt guilty because I lived and Justin died.”
“I’m not trying to tell you what to do in your life, but you need to have closure on the past. If by meeting the little boy and his mother can help you do that, then you need to find the courage to be able to do so.”
“Yeah, well, there’s more.” I returned my gaze, trying to smile as the same ache I’d experienced for years became claws around my neck.
Willow cocked her head, her eyes never blinking. Her only encouragement was another squeeze of her hand.
“Justin and I were sent out on reconnaissance to find out if insurgents had set up makeshift camps around the warehouse we were eventually assigned to protect. I missed the mark, only noticing one. We concentrated our efforts on annihilating a specific target when there were more. Because of my mistake, the men died.” It was the first time I’d been able to state the facts with almost no emotion, a person telling a story and nothing more.
“How much earlier did you go on your reconnaissance versus engaging in the mission?”
Shrugging, I had to think about her question. “A matter of hours.”
“And you never stopped to think that it was entirely possible the additional camps were set up after you returned to your base? If they were makeshift camps, what did they need? Some way to hide the men and their weapons?”
After a few seconds, I laughed. “No. I never once thought that was a possibility.”
“That’s because you chose to feel guilty. You may never know what really happened. What you do know is that your friend asked you to be the baby’s godfather. That’s a responsibility you accepted. You don’t have to move to the city where he and his mother are living, but you do need to make contact. Fate and time will handle the rest.”
I closed my eyes, realizing that not a single therapist had suggested the possibility. Not one. I leaned over even further, drinking in her exotic perfume. “Lady. You are very special.”
“You think so, huh?” she purred, crawling her fingers to my wrist and under the sleeve of my jacket.
“Oh, I know so.” I took a deep breath, wanting nothing more than to leave the restaurant, devouring her over several hours.
“Have you talked to your brother since we returned?” She bit her lower lip, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Now you’re pushing it. No.”
“Why did you have a falling out?”
“Our father.”
She wrinkled her nose, the slight action forcing my cock to twitch. I’d missed thrusting my shaft deep inside, filling her with my seed. My balls tightened, the hunger sending a rush of adrenaline into my system.
“Just don’t let life pass you by. It’s so short. Enjoy every moment.”
“Excellent advice. Now I have a question for you. How did you know Castillo was your father?” I asked, sensing she was ready to talk about the ordeal.
Her playful demeanor changed, her body tensing as she pulled away.
“I didn’t know, but as soon as I saw the picture, it made sense. The lies. The way my mother had acted. Even her relationship with my father. Besides, how does anyone know something like that for certain?” She brushed hair from her eyes as she stared out at the Potomac, the lights of DC off in the distance. She’d insisted on getting out of Washington, citing the fact she loathed the traffic and had never been to a restaurant there she’d liked. It was her quiet way of begging me to get her as far away from the Pentagon as possible. I couldn’t blame her.
“But you figured it out.”
“The picture brought back certain memories and the way Castillo acted wasn’t like a man ready to tie me to his bed. It’s very strange but one time my mother made a cryptic comment alluding to the fact the man I believed to be my father wasn’t. When I asked her what she was talking about, she laughed it off, acting as if she was annoyed with him. I know that doesn’t make any reasonable sense.”
“It makes perfectly good sense. However, I think James did everything he could to be your father, whether he was blood relations or not.”
She nodded and took a sip of her wine, taking several deep breaths as she scanned the area in front of the restaurant. She’d insisted we eat outside, although it was chilly, the light breeze indicating a cold front was coming in. “I know he loved me, but I can’t imagine how he managed to forgive her for sleeping with another man.”
“Keep in mind you don’t know the full story.” While Castillo was expected to survive the gunshot wound, as soon as he was well enough, he’d be transferred to the States where formal charges would be presented. While I’d be required to testify, Willow would only need to provide a deposition.
