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“I already thought of that. I have a feeling it’s more.”
‘We can’t lose the arms deal,” Pops said in passing, but I could sense he didn’t have the same interest he’d had before.
“What if it’s a trap?”
My question surprised everyone. “You’re thinking DEA?” Daniel asked.
“I’m not certain what I’m thinking but we need to consider the possibility.” The more I’d thought about the plan that had entered my mind, the better I thought of it.
“This deal has been in the works for months,” Pops said.
“Maybe so, Dad, but what price is worth the risk?” Danika asked.
Pops shook his head. “Fine. Do what you think is best.”
His comment shocked the hell out of me.
As Tristen’s phone rang, I sucked in my breath, nodding toward the door, realizing Danika was following me.
“Jade is obviously more important than you originally thought.”
“My gut tells me that she is. I also think she’s in more danger than she can understand, which is another reason she was made to disappear.” Jade had been an unwilling accomplice to my arrest. I was certain of it. My taking of her had ignited another set of events that could lead to a catastrophic end.
“Wait a minute. You think this mysterious entity is Jade’s father?” Daniel asked, scoffing afterwards.
“Her supposedly dead father and yes, I do.”
“If that’s the case, then you’re playing with fire, son,” my mother said.
“I’m well aware.”
As Tristen walked in, I could tell by the look on his face that he’d learned next to nothing.
“And?” I asked impatiently.
“My contact has exhausted all his resources. He’s cross checked everything, including the city where Jade’s mother gave birth, at least according to the birth certificate. Not only is there no record of a hospital or clinic stay, but there is absolutely no mention anywhere of the father. It’s as if he doesn’t exist.”
“Please tell me you have more,” I growled.
Tristen walked closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “There’s some chatter on the dark web about a man called the Emissary.”
“A spy,” Pops half whispered.
While I’d not heard of the man, I would bet he wasn’t just any spy.
“Yes,” I said more to myself than anyone else in the room. “Jade’s father does exist alright, and if I had to venture a guess, I’d say he is still alive.” If that was the case. Was it possible her life was in danger because of who and what her father was?
As the conversation came to an end, the need to hold Jade in my arms was stronger than it had been before. I left my father’s office, heading to the front door. Then I stopped, remaining where I was just before placing my hand on the doorknob. There was something I needed to do, a task that up to this point I’d yet to accomplish. I’d done what I could to shove it out of my mind, but as I was told several times, unless I found a way to make peace with the past, I wouldn’t be able to end the nightmares.
I headed up the stairs to the third floor, which hadn’t been used in a long time. When I went to the end of the hall, I realized I was almost out of breath from the blast of anxiety. How ridiculous. I’d faced assholes wielding knives, even a machete once. I’d had my share of guns shoved in my face. They’d never bothered me like facing my fears from the past.
When I opened the door, I was able to exhale, maybe deeper than I had in a long time. The room was no longer the same, the posters on the walls and my equestrian trophies stored away. I’d been given a new room instantly, my old things changed because my mother was afraid the memories would be too horrific.
As I moved to the center of the room, I don’t know if I expected to feel his presence or a bad omen, but after a few seconds, I realized it was just a room and nothing else.
Then I did something I hadn’t done in a very long time.
I said a prayer for Nickolas and his family.
