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Silence filled the room. “Watch your step, Holden. There are things you don’t know about our father.”
“Yeah, I got a pretty rude awakening. We’ll talk about him later, but I would love for you to meet River first.”
“Oh shit, is she right next to you? Holden, you did not put her and me on the spot like that.” Her tone was stern.
Holden adjusted the phone, adding me to the screen. “Hey, Mallory.” I offered her a friendly smile. Honestly, I didn’t have anything to lose if I wasn’t her favorite person. She was in Spain, and we were here. From what I could tell, she didn’t have a lot of influence on Holden or his decisions.
“Hi,” she squeaked. “Sorry about the recycling bin comment.” She squirmed in her seat, adjusting her navy shirt. She flipped her dark hair behind her shoulders, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity. She and Holden definitely shared physical similarities. It would have been a shame if she’d looked more like Tim than Catherine. Unlike Holden and Catherine, Mallory had a small beauty mark near her left eye, exactly like Kassandra. My stomach twisted into knots, the reminder slapping me. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeaned thighs.
“For the record, I agree with my brother, you’re gorgeous. I’m glad someone has tamed this guy. Hell, I respect you simply for that feat.” A beautiful smile spread across her tan face. “Holden, you two need to visit me over here. It would be a lot of fun showing you guys around.”
I peeked up at Holden. “I would love to see Spain.”
Holden gave me a sweet kiss. “We have a full schedule building the club and new house, but as soon as we’re done, we’ll book a trip. It would be great to see you.”
“Oh, a new place to live, huh?”
“A log home on waterfront property in Sandpoint,” I added, trying to join the conversation. Although I sensed a bit of sisterly protectiveness over Holden, it didn’t throw me off. I’d met girls like her before at school. They hadn’t fazed me, and she wouldn’t either. I had nothing to be ashamed of. I squared my shoulders and tilted my chin up.
“That sounds amazing! River, you’ll have to send me pics as everything falls into place. If you need a second opinion on anything, I would love to help.” She gave me a warm smile, and my defensiveness relaxed a little.
“I think that would be fun. I will.”
Mallory stifled a yawn. “It’s been a long day and my ass is tired. Maybe we can talk tomorrow evening?”
“Sure, but I have one more thing to share with you …” Holden paused, and I rubbed his back, encouraging him. This wouldn’t be an easy conversation. “Mal, I know about our brother, Garrison.”
The color drained from Mallory’s cheeks. “How?” she asked, her voice hovering above a whisper.
“Because I met him,” I said. Holden and I had rehearsed exactly what we were going to say. I had nothing to hide. “We became really close after I was kidnapped and held at a training compound for sex slaves. Reid was in the cell next to mine.”
Mallory shook her head, disbelief written all over her expression. “This isn’t funny, Holden. You shouldn’t ever joke around about something like that. Garrison was found dead not long after he was taken.” She shot him a scathing look that would have peeled paint right off the fucking wall. She definitely had shades of her Aunt Kassandra in her.
I stepped closer to Holden as Reid joined us. “I’m very much alive.”
Mallory gaped at Reid, and I took his hand in mine.
Holden glanced at his brother. “I had the DNA test run before I even told Mom. We had to be sure.”
Mallory gawked at Reid, but it didn’t seem to bother him. “What the hell? But how? Garrison?” Tears streamed down her face, and she swiped at them. “I thought you were dead.”
“I know. Please call me Reid, though. It’s the name I’ve used since I can remember. Mom told me about the man that took me, and that the detective told everyone they found my body.”
“Mom knows?” Mallory’s dark brows knitted together. “How long have you been home?”
“About a week and a half.”
She planted her hands on the sides of her head, then she made the sign that her mind was blown. “Oh fuck. I just realized what you said, River. Cells? Reid … you two were held in captivity?” Mallory covered her mouth, muffling her painful cries.
“One day I’ll answer your questions. Right now, I’m grateful to River for giving me a new start and a family. I’m trying to focus on my future.”
Mallory nodded. “Of course. I understand. Will you FaceTime with me now that you’re … back?”
Reid offered her a warm smile. “I would love to. I can’t wait to get to know my older sister.”
Mallory beamed at him through her tears. “Holy hell, I wasn’t expecting that one. Shew!” She laughed while swiping her thumb beneath her lower eyelashes, removing the black mascara smudges.
“I probably should call Mom. We have a lot to talk about, including the possibility of coming to Spokane for a while. I don’t want to waste any more time away from you, Reid. It will take some time to wrap things up here, but would that be okay with you? I don’t want to crowd you in any way.”
