by Renee Roman
“I’m sure it is, but—”
“It’s regarding your family.” Okay, so that was a bit of a stretch since Brace wouldn’t recognize her name, but she was running out of ideas. And if she didn’t get him to agree while he was still on the phone, she might never have another opportunity.
“What about my family?” The tone of his voice changed from mild annoyance to harsh concern.
“I’ll explain everything. I promise.” She heard excited voices in the background. “A PI met with you several weeks ago, and I have more information.”
“Where?”
The only place that came to mind was the diner. “If it’s not too much trouble, I could meet you at Eddy’s. Do you know it?”
“One hour.” He abruptly hung up without another word.
Sarah chewed her bottom lip. She thought she’d been sweating before, but nothing compared to the cold sweat soaking her shirt. She had the distinct feeling she was going to regret what she’d done. It was too late to worry about it. She would meet Brace, show him a few family photos of when she was young, along with her mother’s letter, and hope there was a resemblance. Not all twins looked alike. She glanced at the clock. She had to get moving soon. She should have made the time later, but for a reason she couldn’t pinpoint, she wanted there to be more than just the two of them at the diner, and dinnertime would be busy. I hope you’re wrong, Cam.
* * *
Acting on instinct, Cam got in her car and drove within a few blocks of Sarah’s house. She’d parked at the end of the next block and spent most of yesterday evening there until she was sure Sarah was staying in for the night. How long would Sarah wait until she’d contact Brace? Cam hoped never but knew there was no chance of that happening. In all likelihood Sarah already had, and that would mean she’d be on the move. If not today, then certainly within the next day or two. She couldn’t chance missing her. Even with the GPS bug she’d placed under Sarah’s seat, she only trusted technology so much. She’d considered downloading a tracker on Sarah’s cell phone until she thought better of it. That was too invasive, even for her, and could destroy any trust that remained between them. Though that would likely end once she told Sarah about the tracker.
Cam hated being sneaky. But the thought of the alternative—something horrible happening to Sarah—left her little choice. She would sacrifice herself if it came to that. The air in Cam’s lungs left. There was no doubt left about whether or not she loved Sarah. Truly loved her. Now wasn’t the time to tell her. Or maybe it was. She didn’t even know if Sarah would talk to her again. The way she’d let her walk out of her office felt more like she was letting her walk out of her life. A sob escaped around the lump in her throat. What if I’ve blown any chance at happiness? What if she never wants to see me again? Cam shook from the chill that ran up her spine. She had to stay focused. Had to be sure she was on top of the situation and paid attention. Nothing else in the world mattered. Come hell or high water, Cam would keep Sarah safe.
She swiped at the errant tear and studied the screen. Fuck. Sarah was moving, turning left, then left again, heading directly for Cam. It was too late to hide her car. Sarah knew what it looked like. The best she could hope for was a distraction as she headed her way. Cam slid down as far as she could after tipping her rearview mirror so she could see out the driver side window. Thank God she had done it enough times to know the right angle. As headlights glared inside her car, she watched Sarah’s old model car cruise by at the same time she was fiddling with controls on her dash, her attention diverted down and to the right, away from where Cam was parked. As soon as she was half a block away, Cam sat up, fixed her mirror, and got moving. She didn’t know where Sarah was headed, but the blip on the laptop kept her a safe distance ahead. All she had to do was remain calm and focused.
* * *
Sarah scanned the parking lot for a police cruiser before remembering Brace wasn’t a patrol officer and likely drove a nondescript vehicle to blend in with the seedier neighborhoods where drug dealers could be found. Cam had included vivid descriptions of the type of area Brace frequented, and she was grateful she’d added subtle warnings in her report, otherwise Sarah doubted she’d have even thought about her surroundings. Thankfully, there were a number of cars in the parking lot. She wouldn’t have to face him in an otherwise empty location.
She’d changed clothes three times before giving up. What did you wear to meet your adult twin for the first time? She’d started with jeans and a sweatshirt, but that’s what she wore when she went for a beer. She had finally decided on her favorite skirt and mid calf boots.
“Let’s do this.” She got out and locked the car, then slung her bag over her shoulder before smoothing her hands down her shell/sweater combination. The bell over the door jingled. The last time she’d heard one, she’d been welcomed by Cam’s warm smile, and she wished Cam was with her now.
Sarah looked around at the occupied tables. The last booth held a man staring at her. He was a male version of her own reflection though his coloring was a bit darker. It was an eerie specter, especially since he didn’t look all that pleased. Maybe he was in as much shock as she was. Her hesitation began to fade as she approached and he stood. His eyes remained guarded, but at least he was smiling.
Sarah extended her hand. “Hi. I’m Sarah. Sarah Peters. Your sister.”
Brace took her hand firmly. “Brace Archer.” He gestured to the seat across from him. Once he joined her, he looked around the diner. The murmur of voices was reassuring and the closest customers were a couple of booths away.
“I can’t believe I’m finally meeting you.” She tried to tamp down her enthusiasm without success.
“By using a private investigator.”
It was obvious he was annoyed by her method, but she couldn’t have done it without help.
“Yes. I…” Sarah stumbled over how to explain why she’d searched for him. “My adoptive parents never told me I had a twin. I only found out after my mother’s recent death. She left me a letter.” She took in his features, so much like her own. His hair was a darker shade of blond, but there was no mistaking their similarity. The confirmation was the color of his eyes. They were blue like her own, but also a shade darker and even more so since they’d sat down. Her own eyes did that when she was aroused or upset, and Brace clearly appeared upset, annoyed even. A waitress came over with menus, then produced a pad and pen.
“What can I get you?”
Brace stared at her. It sent a chill down her spine, and not in a good way. He handed the menu back. “Nothing for me. I don’t plan on being here long.”
She couldn’t hide her disappointment.
“I have to hit the streets in a few minutes.” Brace smiled tightly. “I’m sure you understand. Crime doesn’t wait for family reunions, if that’s what you think this is.”
Sarah handed over her menu. Her appetite had disappeared. “Hot tea, please.” Perhaps it would help settle her churning stomach. She looked at Brace again, still unable to comprehend he was her brother.
“I’m sorry you’ve come all this way for such a short visit.” He glanced out the window, then back at her. “I don’t know how much stock I can take in believing you’re my sister.”
Sarah sat back. “Surely you can see the resemblance. It’s like looking in the mirror.” She rummaged in her bag for the envelope containing the letter and pictures. Sarah picked a picture from when she was six years old with lots of wavy blond hair, big blue eyes staring at the camera, and held it out for Brace. He looked but didn’t show any real interest. What if her twin was a sinister man with a less than altruistic agenda? Could her desire for a sibling have been so overwhelming that it had clouded her judgment, causing her to ignore red flags that might have been glaring back at her in the report? Should she have listened to Cam after all?
“Look. I’m sorry you don’t have a family—”
“I do, and it’s you.” Why couldn’t he see that this mattered? Didn’t he care
that he had a sister? Something in Brace’s demeanor changed. She wasn’t sure if she was glad or not. For an instant she thought she saw something sinister in his eyes, then it softened.
“I really do have to go, but if you’re sure we’re related, maybe we can talk again.” Brace produced his phone. “Can I have your contact info so I can text you? Maybe meet in a bit more private setting? I have a lot of questions.”
“That would be great.” She entered her name and phone number, then handed it back. He didn’t reciprocate by asking for her phone, and her anxiety rose. He had her info, but he wasn’t willing to do the same for Sarah.
“I’ll send a text when I can.” Brace stood.
Their time together was ending before it had barely begun, but she understood he had a job to do. She was sure she’d hear from him again.
“I’ll contact you soon.”
“Sure.” She stood there, not knowing if she should hug him good-bye. She didn’t have long to think about it. Brace stuck out his hand.
“Good-bye.”
Sarah was stunned speechless. His cold demeanor and formal handshake spoke volumes, and she hated admitting maybe Cam’s warnings hadn’t been unwarranted. How much was she willing to cower to her unreasonable need to get to know him if the person in front of her didn’t share her enthusiasm? Perhaps she’d take Cam’s suggestion and contact Paul. It certainly couldn’t be any worse than the standoffish attitude her brother was showing.
“Good-bye, Brace.” She held on for a few extra beats, hoping she’d misread him, but when he jerked his hand back, she knew better.
* * *
Cam waited until they’d both left the diner and took off in their cars before emerging from the kitchen where she’d watched the interactions between Brace and Sarah. The gun at the small of her back lent a degree of comfort, though she knew she had to remain vigilant. The look of hunter viewing his prey was engrained in her memory. Brace had smiled a few times as he and Sarah talked, but it hadn’t reached his eyes. Cam had seen the same look directed at her when she’d met him at the station. As she suspected, Sarah hadn’t wasted time in contacting him. Cam walked to the booth they’d been in. The hairs at the nape of her neck stood up. This wasn’t good, and there was no shaking her belief Sarah was in danger. She had to convince her to not see him again without revealing that she knew they’d met.
“You okay?” Jen, the owner of the diner, bumped shoulders with her. They went back a long way. “The spot between your brows is wrinkled.”
“Worried. That guy Sarah was with is scum.”
“Hmm. They look a lot alike.”
“They should,” Cam said. “He’s her twin brother.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. He didn’t look too happy to see her.” Jen might be a lot older, but she was a sharp observer of her patrons. Cam had relied on her more than once for giving her a heads-up about shady characters.
Cam wished she could tell her why, but the less anyone knew about Brace Archer, the better for their health. “Thanks for letting me hang in the kitchen.” She kissed her cheek, smiling when Jen’s face colored.
“You go on now.” Jen slapped Cam’s ass. “Do whatever it is you do.”
That was exactly what Cam had in mind.
Chapter Twenty-five
Sarah stood with her hand on the open door. “I thought you were done with me. What do you want?”
Cam stood on the top step. Her gaze held Sarah’s steadily and didn’t show any of the remorse or guilt Sarah wanted to see. At least then she’d have some idea if they had any chance for a real relationship.
“Can I come in?”
“Why?” Sarah asked.
Cam’s eyes softened. “Sarah, please. Can we not do this?”
She didn’t trust herself to not say things she would regret. Her parents had told her to hold her tongue when she was angry, to think about her words and the affect they would have on herself as well as the person she wanted to hurt. Sarah stepped back and waved Cam inside.
“I’m not sure what ‘this’ is.” She glared at Cam as they awkwardly stood in the living room. She was still angry at her as she remembered how cool Cam had been towards her when she’d handed over the report. The space felt too inviting for whatever conversation they were going to have. This was the place for family gatherings, relaxing times when she and her parents would watch movies together, or laugh while they played board games at the coffee table. She headed for the kitchen, making it clear Cam wouldn’t get her attention unless she followed her. She put on a pot of coffee. Not that she wanted it, but she needed time to mull over how she felt. She missed Cam. Missed their times together and the moments of intimacy they’d shared. She turned to find Cam patiently waiting, her coat still on. She gestured to the small kitchen table.
“Why are you here, Cam? What more could you want from me?” She sucked in a breath, afraid tears would come on the heels of the lump in her throat. “Haven’t you gotten all you wanted from me?”
Pain showed in Cam’s soulful eyes. The same eyes that had been a greenish-gray earlier now swirled with dark flecks, the green having changed to a stormy dark shade. “I never said we were done, Sarah.” She reached across the table, stopping short of touching Sarah’s clasped hands. “Brace is dangerous.”
“Yes. You’ve said that before. We’re going around in circles, Cam.” She didn’t know if it was a good idea to tell Cam she’d already met her brother. There wasn’t any reason to hold back. “For your information, we’ve already met. He seems like a very nice person. He was confused at first, but we’re going to see each other again.” She wasn’t about to admit their meeting had been anything but warm, and she wasn’t going to give Cam any more fuel for her to stoke the fire about Brace being bad news.
Cam’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t be deceived by your desire for family. Didn’t you read the report?”
“Yes.” Sarah got up and busied herself with pouring coffee. She knew what Cam was getting at. Sure, it appeared Brace was dirty, or at least that some of his practices weren’t standard procedure, but she was going to give him another chance. He’d probably been just as shocked as she had been to find he had a sister, and…well…maybe he had some redeeming qualities Cam wouldn’t know anything about. She stood staring out the window trying her best to see things from Cam’s point of view. She did this for a living, and she had to give some weight to her words. She took a breath, and Cam’s familiar scent filled her nostrils before she felt her hands on her shoulders.
“Sarah, I hope I’m wrong for your sake. Just know that experience has taught me otherwise.”
She couldn’t think with Cam so close, touching her. She hoped for another chance to talk with Brace before she blew him off as the lowlife Cam believed him to be. Sarah slid from beneath Cam’s touch and turned, handing her a mug.
“If you could have seen him…” Sarah began.
“I don’t want you to be alone with him.” Cam’s words were harsh.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not a total idiot. We met in a public place. When he contacts me, I’ll do the same again, I’m sure.”
“Sarah, leave it alone. If you want blood in your life, contact Paul, he’s—”
“No.” Her anger rose. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. This is my life and I get to choose who to have in it. You said so yourself when you so ceremoniously handed me the file and let me leave your office.” She felt the tears threaten as her eyes burned. Was Cam ever going to understand her internal struggle between accepting what Cam told her about Brace as fact and wanting to form her own opinion of him? It was unfortunate that Cam would never know what it was like to grow up with a loving family. If she were lucky, she might be able to create a family of her own someday. She questioned if Cam would ever be a lasting part of her life, too. For the foreseeable future, she couldn’t worry about their future, since it appeared unlikely they’d have one. “I’d like you to leave.” Sarah moved toward the front door.
“
Please don’t shut me out. I need to know you’re okay.” Cam reluctantly joined her at the open door. “I need to know—”
“What, Cam? Why is it always about you and what you want?” Her heart seized in her chest. What Sarah needed, foolish or not, was for Cam to be on her side. To stand by her, and if she failed with Brace, to be there to help her move on. Sarah wanted her support, not her warnings. “If you aren’t on board with my decision, I don’t know if there can be an us.” Sarah watched a sea of emotion on Cam’s face before it settled into one of resignation.
Cam nodded. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Please.” Her plea came on a cracked voice. She leaned in.
Sarah offered her cheek at the last second. She wouldn’t be able to trust herself to keep distance between them if she kissed Cam’s inviting lips. The hurt in Cam’s eyes was almost too much. Cam turned away and slowly walked down the front steps. Sarah leaned against the closed door. As the tears fell, she slid down the door, regretting things between them had to end this way.
Sarah slept horribly that night. Not only did she feel guilty about sending Cam away without any hope of a future together, she hadn’t even let her kiss her good-bye. She wasn’t normally mean, but the thought of Cam interfering with her reunion with Brace had caused her to act irrationally. She should have realized after their time together, Cam only had her best interest at heart. Yet, she’d walked away, leaving the decision clearly in Sarah’s hands, but isn’t that exactly what she’d wanted?
What if everything she’d warned her about was true?
“Shit.”
She’d let her usual good judgment be clouded by thoughts of having a sibling, even if he was a total jerk. The more she thought about his actions, the more she had to admit Cam very well could have been right all along. Sarah wondered how much of a smug look she’d have if Sarah conceded and told Cam she’d been wrong to not listen to her. She needed to read the report again and try to be objective. But right now wasn’t the time. She had an appointment with a small gallery that had seen one of her pieces and wanted to talk to her. It might be the break she’d been waiting for as far as her sculpting went. Maybe she should show Brace her workshop. Let him see she had her own interests and building a bond between them would only enhance her already fulfilling life. Ha. That’s a good one. Well, it wasn’t a horrible idea, that much was true.