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“Because I still wanted to help but I thought if she hated me, it would be far easier to keep my distance. I did. I didn’t know about Damien until it was too late. I have spent the last thirty years of my life trying to infiltrate the Fellowship here, to take down the men that were connected to Phillip to try and protect them.” He leaned against the stall wall as I closed the horses in, doing my final check.
“I’m not getting any younger. I’m tired and I’m getting to an age where loneliness sets in. Every holiday, and every birthday, I may have huge dinner parties and balls but they mean nothing. They are just business people and a few close staff. I don’t have people in my life who will care when I am gone.” He said, the emotions raw as he looked at me with a sad smile.
“This may not be the ideal circumstances to reunite with family, but I wasn’t going to let the opportunity slide. If I have even a tiny amount of hope to get to know Anya and perhaps her mother; my daughter, then I will take it. I would rather be around them and be hated than be alone in my mansion and unknown.” He whispered and a part of me ached in sympathy for him.
I was in prison for most of my life. I understood what that kind of isolation and loneliness could do to a person.
“I’ve done things in my past that I regret, but that doesn’t mean I regret keeping them safe. I made choices that were difficult to make and I thought I did the right thing. It is always when we get to our destination that we realize just how wrong we are.” He smiled but it didn’t meet his eyes.
“The selfish part of me always wondered what would have happened if I had stayed with Grace’s mother. I might have had a different life and she would have never met Sergei. But then I remember that even though the circumstances weren’t ideal, Anya would never have been born.” He pushed off the wall as I slid the stable door open. When he had his jacket back on, he followed me out into the rain.
“Maybe you should tell Anya the truth. You would be surprised how forgiving she can be and I get the feeling that Anya would benefit from family in her life as well.” I said before we jogged across the yard to the house.
“Perhaps you are right. I’ll think about it. For now, let's get this mess sorted out with the Fellowship.” He said as we walked inside to find Zane examining Anya at the kitchen table.
“Is she okay?” I asked as I tentatively kissed the top of her head, careful to avoid William's hand that was gripping hers like a vice.
“She has a mild concussion but nothing seems broken. I would feel better if we did a trip to the hospital to be safe but my patient here is refusing to go.” He said with a stern look at her.
She rolled her eyes and winced.
“I’m fine. I don’t need a hospital.” She said and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“When is Beau due back?” Gideon asked and we all looked at each other, a rush of fear jolting down my spine.
“He should have been back already,” I said as William did too.
“Where’s my phone?” Anya said, panic in her voice as William grabbed it from the kitchen counter.
“It's dead.” He said before he rummaged through his pocket for his.
Anya put hers on charge as William dialed Beau.
“No answer.” He said, and I knew something was wrong.
Anya tapped her foot as she waited for her phone to charge, when it came on, we waited as she frowned, and then listened to her voicemail.
The wind and rain howled outside, the thunder still rumbling in the distance and only added to the ominous feeling in the air.
When Anya’s lips parted in shock and her eyes widened, I knew my gut was right. Something had happened.
“What is it, Filly?” William said, voice thick with tension.
“They have Beau.”
Thirty seven
Anya
MyhandsshookasI pressed the replay on the voicemail, putting it on loudspeaker for everyone to hear.
“Hello, Anya. I have something that you want. If you don’t return this call within twenty-four hours, Beau will die and I will come for the next one of your lovers.” Damien’s voice sent chills down my spine as the phone went dead.
“Fuck. I knew something was wrong.” Wyatt said and I looked at them, not sure what to say.
“I have to call the number,” I whispered as I dialed the missed call.
“Anya. Took your time. I was beginning to think Beau here wasn’t that important to you after all. I mean you are fucking three men so I guess you can replace his cock with another.” Damien said and I watched William’s jaw tick.
