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"That's good. What about Max?"
"I thought his name was Mark," Kade said.
"That's the name he gave me, but it was a lie. His real name is Max Davino. He's part of some criminal organization in New York."
"New York, huh?" Kade's lips tightened.
"Yes. Is he in surgery, too?"
"No. He didn’t make it. He died in the ambulance."
I let out a breath at his words, not even sure how to feel about that news. The man would have killed me if it hadn't been for Kade. But that man was also apparently my biological father.
"Okay," I said, the word seeming woefully inadequate, but it was all I could come up with. "What about the other guy?"
"He was arrested and taken down to the station."
"Good. I have a lot to tell you, Kade. Max and Rachel were part of the robbery crew at James Holden's house. Max was the one who killed your father."
He sucked in a sharp breath, his dark gaze filled with emotion. "Then I'm even more glad I shot him and that he's dead." He paused. "Was your mom part of the crew?"
"Yes, but that's where it gets more complicated." I drew in another breath. "Laura isn't my biological mother. She's just the one who raised me for seven years. Rachel is my real mother. And my biological father was Max."
His jaw dropped in amazement. "Seriously?"
"Don't make me say it twice."
"I'm sorry." He shook his head in confusion. "That's a lot to process."
"I know. It all came out in a rush. Rachel thought telling Max that he was our father would stop him from killing us, but Max didn't care. He would have killed Dani and me if you hadn't shot him. It's difficult to comprehend how someone could kill their own children."
"Max is not your father. Your dad is the guy who raised you. And he's not a criminal."
I appreciated the reminder. "You're right. And my mom is the one who raised me until I was seven. And Laura didn't break into James Holden's house. She didn't even sleep with Ian Holden. That was Rachel. She approached Ian outside of class. She pretended to be my mom. My mother knew nothing about it until after the robbery, until Rachel begged her to save her. And Laura did. They left everything behind, got new identities, and started over." I drew in a breath. "I need to hear my mother's side of the story to fill in some of the gaps."
"We can talk to her now. We're in the same hospital."
I thought about that, but that conversation would have to wait. "Not until I know how Dani is. She might want to come, too. Or she might have had enough. Her husband is on his way here now. I'm praying her baby is okay. They knocked her out and kidnapped her from the store by her house. They put her in a trunk for the drive here. She's had a lot of trauma, and it's my fault."
"It's not your fault, Brynn. All you did was try to find out who shot your mother."
"Only to find out she's not my mother at all. My biological parents are horrible people. What does that make me?"
"Your own person. You're not either one of them. You're just you, and from what I've seen, you're amazing."
I smiled at his words. "Right back at you. You saved my life again."
"I should have been with you when you went to the hospital. I never should have left you alone."
"You were shaken by what we found out about Laura, about why she helped you. I knew why you left, and it wasn't the wrong thing to do. You needed time to think."
"That time could have cost you your life. It was selfish."
"Oh, Kade," I said, shaking my head. "You are anything but selfish. I've seen a lot of bad in the last few days, but not with you. You might be a dark artist, but you have been a very bright light in my life. I know you hate that Laura lied to you and supported you out of guilt, but I am very glad that you were staying at her house when I arrived. I don't think I would have made it through the past several days without you. I know it's not the same for you. You made my life easier and safer—I made yours harder and more dangerous."
"Well, we both survived. Some days that's enough."
I nodded, then jumped up as I saw a nurse wheel Dani into the waiting room. We moved over to meet her.
