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I watched Jade’s face as she read the long, handwritten letter from her father. Several emotions crossed her face, tears slipping past her eyelashes. As she folded the four pages, bringing them against her heart, I took a deep breath. Whatever he’d said to her was private, not something I needed to learn, but I sensed his words have provided some level of closure if not peace.
She walked to the window, placing her hand on the glass. The love of my life was so quiet that I was fearful she would break down. I should have known better. She was by far the strongest person I’d ever met.
“He really did love my mother,” she said quietly.
“Yes, I think he did. And he loves you.” I moved closer, still keeping a distance. When she leaned back against me, I wrapped my arms around her. “Is there anything you need?”
“Just you. I understand why he had to disappear again. I just… I wish I could hear his voice or see his face one more time.”
“I know, baby.”
“Thank you for loving me.”
I almost laughed. “That’s easy.”
“What now?”
“Now, we live our lives.”
“What about your business?”
My business. The Grassos had already been charged with Martin’s murder, the shipment of weapons they’d found enough to put half their soldiers away for a long time. One enemy had been taken down; the men in my employ who had been arrested were exonerated of their trumped-up crimes. I also had sent a message to the leader of the Santiago Cartel that if he dared fuck with me, I’d bring down the wrath of God. “I plan on expanding the resorts, branching out.”
“Legitimate?” She tipped her head, giving me a wicked smile as only she could do.
“For now. We’ll see about the future.”
We both remained quiet for a few minutes, but I sensed she was still trying to process the letter.
“What are you going to do with him?” she asked.
Him. The man who’d betrayed me. I’d told her what I’d learned. Only because of her comfort and words of wisdom had I not gone off the deep end.
“I might take your father’s advice.”
She turned around to face me, planting her hands on my chest. “You do what you need to do to erase the guilt and the sorrow but remember that you can’t change the past. You can only alter the future.”
“Such wise words from the most beautiful woman on earth. I won’t be long.”
“And I’ll be waiting for you.”
As I backed away, I thought about the promise I’d made to her father. I would protect her, even if it was from afar. I grabbed my keys, heading toward the door, but not without taking another look at the woman who’d grabbed my heart.
Maybe people could change for the better.
I feared I wasn’t one of them.
This time, I had Nick and Drago with me, other soldiers maintaining a watch on the house. What I’d learned from Ryan had been a blow I hadn’t been certain I’d recover from.
In the two days since my release, I’d used the time to reflect on what was important to me. Up until opening the envelope her father had addressed to me, I hadn’t realized just how much the events from the night when I was a young boy had affected me. The fact was the incident had changed my life, molding me into a man fearful of attachments. Jade was the only reason I felt alive again.
There would always be enemies; men, women, and organizations determined to bring down the Thorn Empire. I’d face them head on, never allowing my guard to fall again. And I’d never trust anyone but my family and the Brotherhood again.
As I exited the vehicle, I took a deep breath. The late April day had dawned with blue skies and very few clouds. Maybe I’d take Jade on a horse ride later. At least the thought brought me a smile.
Neither Nick nor Drago said anything as we headed to the front door. The weight of the information I’d received was heavy, even if I’d told them very little. Even now, I wasn’t certain the choice I would make. As I knocked on the door, the heaviness in my heart returned. I’d once considered him a friend, someone I could count on.
When the door was opened, I sensed he’d suspected I’d found out about his treachery.
