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Then I headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. As soon as I burst inside Jade’s bedroom, I could tell by the expression on her pretty little face that she’d taken what belonged to me in an act of betrayal.
Anger swept through me as I stormed toward her, yanking it from her hand. “What the fuck did you do?”
“Let me explain,” she said. The hint of fear in her eyes quickly faded, changing to just another moment of rebellion.
I glared down at the screen, stunned she’d somehow learned the passcode.
“You broke the security on my phone?”
She nodded. “You should be more careful with your security and password. Remember, I count cards. I pay attention.”
“Jesus Christ.”
As I glanced toward the way her things had been dumped on the bed, something drew my attention. “What. The. Fuck?” I grabbed the framed photograph, holding it in front of her face. “Is this your father?” The woman looked remarkably like Jade, the couple depicted happy and obviously in love.
Her lips twisted as she tried to yank it from my hand. “Don’t. It’s all I have left of either one of them.” When she managed to jerk it from my hand, the frame slipped from her fingers, toppling to the floor. The hard cracking sound matched a gasp from her lovely throat. “No!”
The moment remained ugly as she immediately dropped to her knees, trying to pick up the broken pieces.
“Why, Jade? All that bullshit you said a little while ago, was it for show? Did you have every intention of hurting me?”
“No! What I said I meant. I just didn’t add that I love you.” She gasped, not only from the admittance of her feelings but also from the instant pain as a chunk of broken glass sliced through her finger.
Hissing, I tossed the phone onto the bed, immediately dropping to the floor. “Don’t. You’re going to hurt yourself even more.”
“Why the hell do you care? Don’t you want to jam one of the pieces into my jugular?” She grabbed another piece, placing it against her neck.
“Don’t. I do care. Goddamn it. Why do you push me so hard? Why?”
“Why? Why do you give a damn? I’m nothing but a possession to you. You wanted nothing more than to destroy me. Guess what? You’ve come close.”
“I care because… because I love you,” I roared, my heart racing. Exhaling, I rubbed my eyes, trying to control my rage. Then I lifted my head, locking eyes with hers.
Her eyes opened wide, and she slowly lowered the piece, her entire body quivering. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you, Constantine. I called the number I told you about, hoping to reach my father for answers. I deserve to know who he is.”
“And?”
“There was a voicemail this time. At least I think there was. No voice, just a click. Still, I left him a message. I need to know who he is.” She grabbed the photograph again, the back coming off completely. Then we both noticed there was a folded piece of paper hidden between the picture and the frame.
“What is that?” she half whispered, immediately pulling the folded note into her hand.
I watched as blood dripped across the surface and hissed.
“Let’s take a look at your finger first.”
“No. I need to do this. Can’t you understand?” Her hands shaking, she unfolded the letter, lifting the paper. As she read the contents, her expression hardened. “He’s explaining why he couldn’t be with us. But he’s saying nothing. Not really.”
I closed my eyes, finally reining in my anger.
“You’re coming with me. You can read it later,” I told her, keeping my tone calm.
“No.”
“Stop fighting me, Jade.” I pulled her into my arms, glancing down at the letter. Perhaps the secret would finally be brought to the light. As I led her into the bathroom, she continued to tremble. I wanted to be angry with her, but in truth, there was a chance the mystery could finally start to unravel. As I turned on the water, I noticed her breathing was shallow.
“What did you say to your father, Jade? What message did you leave?”
“That I demanded to know who he was. That my mother died whispering his name. That I deserved to know the story of why he wasn’t with us. And that…” She hesitated, glancing into the mirror as I rinsed her wound. “That whatever had happened years before had changed my future and that I didn’t want to lose what I had. I said a few other things, allowing my anger to get the better of me, but you don’t have to worry. I only told him I cared about you.” She laughed, the sound so bitter I cringed. “No one will get the message anyway. Maybe he’s an assassin or another mafia leader. My parents obviously met in some tropical location. I think they were married. Maybe that’s where he is, living a lush life while I suffer not knowing the truth.”
