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Catherine stared at her feet, then at the guys. “Hannah got too close,” Catherine whispered. “She didn’t overdose, Holden. She was murdered like you thought.”
Holden shattered in front of me. He dropped to the floor next to his chair and broke down, sobbing. Catherine sprang off the couch and gathered Holden in her arms, rocking him as he clung to her. Unable to control them anymore, tears streamed down my cheeks.
I waved Reid over. He joined me on the couch, and we held hands, comforting each other like we had when we were at the compound.
Finally, Holden pulled himself together, but instead of standing, he leaned against the chair and slid his arm around Catherine’s shoulders.
“I always knew something was off about Hannah’s death.” Holden rubbed his eyes.
“I suspected it. It was Mallory who found proof. She took it to the police, but they brushed her off. Your sister confided in me, then said she was leaving for Spain. I asked her for the evidence she found, but she refused to share it with me. Mallory insisted I would be in grave danger, and she couldn’t have that on her conscience. She said that she couldn’t deal with the secrets anymore. Mallory was desperate for a fresh start without us in it. Who could blame her?”
“I’ll call her,” Holden said. “She needs to know her brother is home.” Holden looked at Reid. “Let me know when you’re ready to meet her.”
Reid nodded, the crease in his forehead indicating he was struggling to wrap his head around the new information. I wasn’t sure how to help either of them process what Catherine had shared. He was lost in a new world with no tools to cope.
Catherine rose slowly, releasing Holden. “I’ve overstayed, but I wanted you to hear what happened.”
My anxiety spiked. I had to tell her a hard truth as well. “Catherine, before you go, I need to talk to you about something.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“By the look on your face, I suspect I should sit back down.” Holden remained on the floor as Catherine sat in the empty chair next to him.
“Holden, does she know Becky?” I asked.
Regret flickered in his gaze. “Yeah.”
“Becky isn’t really Becky,” I said to Catherine. “Her real name is Michelle. Not only is she an FBI agent, but she worked for two women on the side. Michelle’s job was to talk to underaged children and befriend them, then she kidnapped them and sold them to …” Reid squeezed my hand, encouraging me.
“She sold them to the sex ring that Opal and Kassandra ran.” I paused, waiting for the names to sink in with her.
Confusion clouded Catherine’s expression. She glanced at Holden, and he nodded at me to continue.
“Opal isn’t dead. She admitted that she faked her death when the FBI was getting too close to the family business.” Fuck, I did not say that!
My bad choice of words didn’t seem to faze Catherine at all, thank God. “Alive? My family is behind the sex ring?” Her attention landed on Reid, then me. “You met them, River? This isn’t just a rumor? You actually saw them and talked to them yourself?”
“I did. The day I was taken, I’d found out I was pregnant.” A lump caught in my throat, and I swallowed hard. “I was nearly raped by a guard, but I begged him to stop and explained that I was pregnant.” Agony stabbed me in the chest as I recalled the details. “Barrett, the guard, reported it. No one tried to hurt me after that, but … I was cleaned up and presented to Kassandra and Opal. I have to admit that, when Kassandra stood in front of me, I thought it was you. I had to look really hard for the differences.” I touched the corner of my eye. “She has a beauty mark here.”
Catherine nodded, clearly in shock. “She does have a mole. Kassandra always hated it when we were little girls.” Catherine shook her head. “But … you’re going to have a baby?”
I shook my head, my gaze connecting with Holden’s. He mouthed, ‘I love you,’ and I placed my hand over my heart.
“No. Not anymore. I’ll explain, though.” I squirmed in my seat, choosing my words carefully in order not to cry again. “Opal and Kassandra pretended that I was family since I was pregnant with Holden’s baby. They fed me, took me to the doctor there, and had her run blood tests to confirm. I never even knew that the results had come in. The last thing I remembered was eating dinner with your sister and mother, then I felt drowsy and dizzy. I woke up after the procedure.” I hesitated. “Opal and Kassandra aborted the baby without my knowledge.” I bit my lip, attempting to hold the tears back.
“Those fucking bitches!” Catherine hissed. “How dare they hurt you and my grandbaby!” She slammed her fist against the arm of the chair. “They disgust me. Where are they now? Are they in custody?” Catherine jumped from her seat and grabbed her phone from her purse. “I want to see them both. I …” She tossed her arms in the air, choking on her cry. “I don’t even know what to say …”
“No. The FBI is looking for them. Until then, Reid and I are laying low, and we have two bodyguards,” I explained. “But it’s plausible that Opal or Kassandra had Hannah killed if she was getting too close to the truth.”
“I don’t know what to say other than I’m sorry. They’ve stolen so much from us. Hannah, Reid …” She picked her purse up from the floor. “My family has caused all of us so much pain. I had no idea they were behind Reid and River’s kidnappings. I never saw anything illegal going on when Mom … Opal was alive. Kassandra and I broke off our relationship when she began dating an abusive man and refused to leave. I couldn’t see her go through that. She was my sister. My twin.” Catherine shook her head. “I’m so sorry. Holden, I understand that you no longer want to have me in your life. Maybe not having me around will protect River and Reid.” She turned to Reid. “I’ve always loved you, son. I should have continued to search for you, but I truly thought you were dead. I hope that eventually you can forgive me.” Catherine took my hand in hers. “River, you’re an extraordinary young woman. Beautiful, strong, determined. You remind me of myself at this age. But more than that, you’re so good for Holden. He started smiling and laughing again after you arrived. He loves you so much. I’m so sorry that you lost the baby. Maybe someday you and Holden will have a child, but first you need to heal.”
She turned back to Holden. “I’m afraid my mistakes have devastated our relationship beyond repair. Please know that I love you more than words can ever express. Take care of River and Reid.” She leaned down and planted a kiss on his forehead, then she turned and headed for the door. The turn of the bolt screamed in the silence. I looked over my shoulder, wishing things could have played out differently.
Catherine glanced at us with regret in her expression, then stepped into the hallway. Reid bolted off the couch. “Mom, don’t go!”
Catherine turned to see who had called her name. She and Reid stared at each other.
“Don’t go, Mom. I believe you. Please stay.”
