Abby waited, her own coffee untouched. Her nervous system, primed from the violence of the past few weeks, dumped adrenaline into her bloodstream. Caffeine was no longer necessary.
Ryland struggled for words.
“Are you dying?”
“Yes.” His mouth tightened into a grim line.
“How long?”
“Maybe a year, if I’m lucky.” His gaze drifted to the window and back. He was lost, his confidence shattered. “I don’t know exactly what to say to you. I was stupid and arrogant. I did exactly as I pleased for many years with no thought to the consequences. I didn’t even know my own wife. She hated me. She hated you. And I was clueless.”
Ryland sipped his coffee.
“She said she was afraid I’d sue for part of your estate. You know I don’t want your money?”
“I know,” Ryland said. “Neither did your mother. She took some only because she had to leave her job because of you.”
Abby turned away.
“She didn’t regret it, but she wasn’t happy.”
“I know.” Abby didn’t have a single memory of her mother smiling.
“Her sadness made her drink.” Ryland frowned.
“Not all the time,” Abby said. “She did her best.”
“She did, but it wasn’t enough. And that’s my fault.” Ryland straightened his shoulders as if he’d come to a decision. “I told you I kept you secret to keep you safe and because I was doing the honorable thing for my wife and sons. I lied.”
“What?”
“I lied.” Ryland’s face drooped. “I couldn’t tell anyone about you because of who your mother really was.”
“I don’t understand.” Abby’s coffee sloshed in her stomach. Instinct told her he was going to upset her world. “Mom was a waitress.”
Ryland shook his head. “No. Your mother was a DEA agent. That’s how we met. She was investigating me.”
Abby gasped. Her mother had been a drug enforcement agent who slept with the drug dealer she was investigating.
“If anyone had found out about us…Let’s just say the fallout would have been bloody. You would have been at risk as well as my sons. Ultimately, that was why I decided to get out of those less legitimate business ventures. There was no way I wanted my sons involved in that industry.”
No mention of Abby being involved, but then he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her all her life.
“I’ve cleaned up my businesses over the last three years. There isn’t anything illegal. My sons will be inheriting a one-hundred-percent legitimate company.”
“Funded with drug money,” Abby pointed out.
Ryland lifted an unconcerned shoulder. “The past is the past.”
“Until it catches up with you,” Abby said.
“Yes,” Ryland agreed. “When you were kidnapped, I should have intervened. Your mother told the police detective about me. She was concerned that Faulkner was working for one of my business rivals. The detective blackmailed me when he should have been saving you. Roy Abrams knew where you were the entire time. Faulkner had marked your location with the GPS on his cell phone. The detective told Faulkner to keep quiet about your location, and he’d talk to the judge about minimizing his sentence.” Coldness glittered in Ryland’s eyes. “I should have been your father. I should have taken care of you. Instead I paid him to keep it all quiet.”
Abby couldn’t agree more. “Why now? Why come to my rescue?”
“Because I couldn’t go to my grave while you had to wake up with the knowledge that the men who hurt you were still out there. I’ve been following you these last three years. You live half a life. I thought if everything connected to your kidnapping were wiped clean, then maybe you’d be free of the past. All I want is peace, for both of us.”
“It’s a little late for that.”
“You can’t imagine how sorry I am.” Emotions whirled in his eyes.
But Abby had barely absorbed what he’d told her. She couldn’t deal with Ryland’s needs. “If you’re looking for forgiveness, I’m not ready for that yet.”
“I understand.”
“Who killed Marlene?” Abby’s gut knew, but she had to ask.
Just as Ryland had to ignore her question, though the uncharacteristic flash of sorrow in his eyes was answer enough. “Your brothers would like to meet you. Not just yet, though. They’re dealing with their grief and a load of guilt. Their mother wanted to kill you for them.”
“Not their fault.”
“I know, and so do they. But it will likely take a while for them to accept.”
Abby knew the feeling. “I’m not quite there yet either.”
Her father had his wife killed for her betrayal. The police might never be able to prove he murdered her, but Abby knew the truth in her heart. How could she ever let a murderer into her tiny circle of trust?
“But they both want to know you.” Ryland gave her a sad smile. “I shouldn’t have kept you apart all these years.”
How did she feel about meeting her half brothers? Surprisingly, pretty good. She’d thought she didn’t have any family left.
She escorted Ryland to the door. After he left, she looked down at the dog. “Let’s go see Ethan. I know it’s weak, but I really can’t be alone right now.”
Zeus barked and wagged his tail. Fifteen minutes later, they drove up to the farmhouse and parked.
Lorraine had the door open before they knocked. “Ethan is in his room. Go on up. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. You’ll stay.”
It wasn’t a question. Why did Ryland’s orders annoy her, while Lorraine’s gave her the warm and fuzzies?
With the remote in hand, Ethan reclined on his bed. He hadn’t had much time to watch TV over the past few years. Since Abby insisted on living at her house and going back to work, he was left to entertain himself.
A knock sounded on his door.
“Come in.”
Abby opened the door.
“Hey, beautiful.”
She didn’t say a word, but her expression was tense. He rolled smoothly to his feet. “What’s wrong?”
Abby crossed the room. Ethan wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Burying her face in his good shoulder, he felt the tension ebb from her body. He rubbed her back and waited for her to tell him.
“Ryland came to see me.” She let her father’s revelations pour out.
“Holy. Shit.” Ethan pulled her down to sit on the edge of the bed. Her mother being a former DEA agent explained why Abby handled a gun like a cop. “No wonder they kept their affair a secret.”
“Maybe.” Abby sighed. “I don’t know that it matters much. Do you think Ryland had Abrams and Faulkner killed?”
“That would be my guess.” Ethan nodded.
“I think he had Marlene killed too, because she betrayed him.” Abby shuddered. “One thing I know for sure. It was better that I didn’t grow up with him. He kills anyone who crosses him.” Abby’s eyes were misty when she looked at him. “Do you think the police will find any evidence?”
“I doubt it. I’ve talked to the investigators. Those kills were operating-room clean. Marlene’s too. Ryland has alibis for all the killings, and the cops haven’t uncovered any proof that he ordered the kills either.” The cases might never be officially solved, but Ethan didn’t see any loose ends. He hugged Abby to his side. “Do you want to see if I can find out more about your mother?”
“I don’t know. Not right now. I’ve already learned my entire life wasn’t what I thought it was. That’s enough for the moment.”
“Whatever you want.” Ethan pulled back and examined her face. Exhausted lines fanned from her eyes, and her skin was still pale. Had she lost weight? “Have you been sleeping?”
“Not really,” she admitted. “Even the lights don’
t seem to help. I’m wondering if I’ll ever be able to be alone again.”
“Give it a little time. It’s only been a week.” Ethan kissed her temple. “Did you see the therapist?”
“Yes. She doesn’t want me to make any life changes right now, but I’m going to sell my house. I can’t stand being alone, and I can’t be there. The memories…”
“Move in here.” Ethan laughed. “I guarantee you’ll never be alone. This place is a zoo.”
“I don’t know,” she said, but her eyes shed their lost look instantly.
“Please.” He nuzzled her neck.
“What about Derek?”
His lips trailed lower. He pushed her hair off her shoulder to get a better angle on her neck. “You could help homeschool Derek.”
“What about your mother?”
“I believe she just drafted her letter to the pope to have you sainted.” His voice was dry.
“But we’re not married.…”
“Then marry me.” It wasn’t a new thought. He’d already intended to marry her as soon as she was ready. The idea was a huge turn-on. He brushed the neckline of her sweater with his lips. Her skin smelled like peaches.
“I think that would be one of those life changes my therapist wouldn’t like.”
Ethan lifted his head. “Stop worrying. Move in here. We’ll get married if and when you’re ready. I love you. We’ve all been through hell. I think we can give ourselves a break and just do what feels right. At the moment, having you with me is what feels right.”
“I love you too.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Well, I do sleep better when I’m with you.”
Ethan wiped her tear away. “Who says you’ll be getting any sleep?”
“I hardly think either of us is in any shape for that.”
He kissed her, pouring out the emotions he couldn’t put into words. “Speak for yourself. I’m sure I could manage. I’m very creative.”
She laughed, the sound making Ethan’s heart swell.
“You let me know when you’re ready. I’m a patient man.”
“Yes, you are.” With a contented sigh, she kissed him back. “Don’t worry. I won’t keep you waiting long.”
He nibbled his way down her neck. “Before you’ll sleep with me or marry me?”
“Both.” Abby’s eyes shone with the happiness she’d deserved for a lifetime.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As usual, thanks to my agent, Jill Marsal, for all her support, and everyone at Amazon Publishing, including my editor, JoVon Sotak, and the entire author team, especially technological goddess Jessica Poore. I am a very lucky writer to have such a fabulous team of people supporting me and my work.
Special thanks to Kiki Ebsen of the Healing Equine Ranch for sharing her incredible rescue horses with my family at a time when we needed their healing spirit, and to June Gunter for making that day possible. I can’t believe it was a coincidence that I’d already begun this book and included rescue horses before the invitation to visit Violet and the other rescued equines.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Tannock Photography 2012
Melinda Leigh abandoned her career in banking to raise her kids and never looked back. She started writing as a hobby and became addicted to creating characters and stories. Since then, she has won numerous writing awards for her paranormal romance and romantic-suspense fiction. Her debut novel, She Can Run, was a number-one bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense, a 2011 Best Book finalist (The Romance Reviews), and a nominee for the 2012 International Thriller Award for Best First Book. Midnight Exposure was a 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she isn’t writing, Melinda is an avid martial artist: she holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs, and two rescue cats.
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