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“I merely followed the orders they gave me. By the time I realized you’d been set up, it was too late. The entire op turned into a clusterfuck and Tanner was dead. I’m sorry,” he added in a low voice, eyes on Ryland. “I’d heard you two were close.”
Ryland didn’t bother to respond. He was doing his best to process the situation, but his skin felt itchy, his head throbbed, and it felt like the walls were closing in. He had so many questions and his father wasn’t answering any of them. Fresh anger poured through him and it felt like his damn head was going to explode. His wild gaze searched for an exit, an escape from the chaos clamoring in his brain, and landed on the back sliding door.
In three long strides, Ryland reached the slider, threw it open and stepped onto the sand. He had no idea where he was going or what he should believe. Sucking in a deep breath of fresh, salty air, he stalked away from the bungalow and headed down the beach, needing to get away from it all.
???
Harper didn’t even think twice. She hurried after Ryland, determined to be there for him. The carefree, happy guy she’d first met was gone and in his place was someone hurting on a profound level. There was no missing the mistrust, confusion and betrayal flashing through his cobalt eyes. Maybe it was silly to go chasing him down the beach when she barely knew him. But her empathy ran deep and when she saw someone hurting, especially someone she cared about, she wanted to make it better.
Not too far ahead, Ryland dropped down on the sand, drew a leg up and propped his arm on it. Harper’s nerves jangled as she reached him. Without a word, she sat down next to him. He didn’t acknowledge her, just stared out at the ocean crashing along the shoreline.
Finally, he said, “I thought he died in a training accident. How could he let us believe that?”
The raw hurt in his voice made her chest tighten. Harper reached out and laid a hand on his arm. It seemed like she’d been doing that a lot lately, but it was the simplest, and safest, form of comfort she could offer. “For what it’s worth, you’re handling all of this like a rock star.”
He let out a snort. “Hardly.”
Turning to face him, tucking her legs beneath her, she squeezed his arm then released it. “You are. If my parents suddenly came back from the dead…well, I don’t think I would’ve kept it together quite as well as you.”
“It’s just a huge shock. Addie is going to freak the fuck out.”
“I mean, it’s a good thing. You have your dad back.”
“Do I?”
She tilted her head, not quite understanding. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know that man back there. He’s a stranger and, for all I know, a liar.”
“He’s the one who called and warned you to go off grid. Because they were going to hunt your team down.”
“Yeah. That’s what he said.” But there was no conviction in his tone.
“You don’t believe him.”
Ryland sighed. “I don’t know what I believe anymore.”
“Once you talk to him, maybe you’ll get the answers you need.”
“Maybe.” Ryland pulled his attention off the waves and looked over at her. “I’m so damn sorry for dragging you into this mess.”
“It’s certainly been an adventure.”
“I don’t think the real adventure’s even begun yet.”
As she considered his words, she saw Cross slowly walking toward them. Almost as if he dreaded the conversation he knew he had to have with his son. When he reached them, Harper stood and placed a hand on Ryland’s shoulder. This was something they needed to do in private.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” she said, and he gave a sharp nod.
???
As Ryland watched Harper walk away, his father sat down beside him and sighed.
“I’m not sure where to begin,” Cross said.
“How about why you let us believe you died on some training mission?”
“I know you’re not going to understand all of the choices I’ve made and I’m not asking you to. But you need to know that leaving you and your sister wasn’t an easy decision.”
