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His laugh had the sound of bitterness, the same kind of anger that I’d felt for years, determined to have my revenge, allowing my need for cruelty to take hold. “That ended before your life intervened with mine. I’d once believed in right versus wrong, but you learn over the years that there are no distinct black and white lines within any law enforcement agency. Especially those who are politically motivated.”
“You were used.” I was curious as to where this was going.
“In a manner of speaking. Don’t get me wrong. I was paid very well for tracking violent criminals, but something changed when I realized the DEA didn’t care who ended up casualties of what they’d called a war.”
“You were sent to kill me all those years ago.”
He lifted his head, still chuckling. “You’re very astute. Yes. While I initially thought the job would be easy, I realized just how formidable your father was. He’d made certain you were well protected.”
“Which is why you used Jade, getting her onto the floor.”
This time, he lifted his glass as if a salute. “I had no other choice. She wanted to work at the casino. I’d taught her well over the years how to count cards and she fell in love with the lifestyle. I used the ability over the years, able to position myself in locations that otherwise would have been difficult to access. She wanted to learn. Jade was always hungering to discover more about me.” He glanced out the window and it was easy to tell he had regret for all the years lost.
“What stopped you from pulling the trigger?”
“Fate. That’s what you might call it. I picked the night you assassinated an enemy. Now, I understood why after I learned about the man’s connections with child prostitution, but the fact Jade witnessed the murder changed everything.”
“That’s why you encouraged her to testify against me.”
“I did. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it was my belief I could finish the job when you were in prison. Again, I underestimated you.” He reached into a briefcase positioned at his feet, pulling out two envelopes. “You will promise to take care of my daughter?” Ryan looked me directly in the eye.
“With my life.”
He nodded. “I’ll hold you to it.”
“Who hired you to assassinate me?”
As he took several sips of his drink, I resisted the urge to push him. He’d come here at great risk in order to provide answers. I had to respect that.
“I need you to do me a favor,” he continued. “Please tell Jade how much I love her and that I never wanted to be separated from the only family I ever had, but every time I visited, I put their lives in jeopardy. I was happiest when I was with her mother. We were married, even though I knew then that it couldn’t last, at least not in the way she deserved. When I learned I had a daughter, I should have given all I had to be with my family. I almost lost my life by attempting to spend more time with them. If someone had found out the truth, they could have been tortured.” He stopped talking, the agony he felt apparent. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see Jade again.”
“Understood.”
“I hope you do, Mr. Thorn, because she will need you to erase any possibility of connecting us. But as you’ve already been made aware, my presence almost cost my daughter her life.”
“As I promised, I will protect her.”
“I suspect you’re the only man capable of doing so.” He slid the envelopes in my direction. “Long ago, your life was forever changed by a horrible incident. After I wasn’t able to fulfill my contract in ending your life, I spent time researching you instead. There is a connection to both incidents that you need to be made aware of. What you do with the information is entirely up to you. However, I will caution you that seeking revenge will forever haunt you. In the second envelope is another letter to my daughter. Please see that she gets it.”
I glanced down at both and sighed. “I can offer you protection as well.”
As he smiled, he gave me a nod of respect. “A wonderful offer, but as you might imagine, I must refuse. I carved out a life for myself that will never include anyone I might risk. I fell in love with a woman that I didn’t deserve. I let my guard down only once. I can’t do that again.”
“You had the charges dropped.”
“It was the least I could do. I still have connections. I had to right a wrong. Let me offer you a piece of advice, Mr. Thorn. Few people are given the gift of a second chance. Use this gift wisely. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that family is more important than wealth, power, or anything else. If only I’d learned that when I was your age.”
As the driver pulled over, I wasn’t certain what to say. “Thank you, Ryan.”
“My pleasure. Goodbye, Mr. Thorn. May the gods bless you with a family.”
Seconds later, I climbed out, the two envelopes in my hand. I’d never believed in the concept of rebirth on any level, but today I felt as if I’d been given a second chance.
It was one I refused to ignore.
And all because of a love I should never have been allowed.
* * *
