Broken Halo: The Montgomery Series, Book 2

by Asher, Brynne

  “Baby,” I breathe, looking around the kitchen, great room, and sunroom. “Where’s Griffin?”

  She doesn’t move and stays sitting there in her cutoff jean shorts and tank with no bra. Makeup free and hair a mess, she hardly looks a day older than she did when I kissed her for the first time in the far pasture of her family’s property.

  She wipes a tear from her fair cheek. “He’s napping.”

  “Ellie,” I demand. “What the hell’s going on?”

  She looks down at what I can tell is one of my mother’s journals sitting open on her lap. “I, ah …” she stutters and looks back up at me. I frown because I don’t know what’s in her head but I can tell it’s either stunned or traumatized her. “I was cleaning out the second closet in your mom’s room so you could move the rest of your stuff in. It was filled with boxes and … I don’t know, stuff. I finally got it all out and found this wooden one. It was locked. I’m sorry, I didn’t think it mattered since we’ve been going through everything together.”

  I look at the box sitting beside her and the wood is splintered and broken.

  “You know me.” She bites her lip. “I had to know what was inside, so I took a hammer to it. There were some journals and other paperwork. Trig, you have to read this.”

  I move to her and stoop, running a hand down her fair cheek before looking to the journal in her lap. She grabs my hand and pulls me next to her. I take the book of memories from where she has it open and look down at it and read the date. “Twenty-three years ago?”

  She shrugs and tips her head, scooting closer to me and I’m not sure what sets me off more—her or what I now dread in this journal.

  “Read,” she coaxes softly as she presses up close like she does when she needs me, but I have a feeling this time it’s the opposite and I brace.

  August 27th—

  What have I done?

  It happened so fast. It’s no excuse, I know. But he was supposed to be home any minute.

  Okay, so he was supposed to be home in fifteen minutes, but the way my heart raced when I read the note, I knew. I KNEW I couldn’t let history repeat itself. I might be able to protect Easton—protect his heart from hardening like the man who gave him life, the man I’m stuck with and can’t seem to find a way for Easton and me to get away from. Easton is mine.

  But another child who isn’t?

  There’s no way Ray would let me stake my claim and stand in front of this baby like I do with Easton. He’d throw it in my face that it was another woman’s. He does it all the time when he stumbles in smelling like his cheap whores.

  But when I came home from cleaning today and found a crying newborn wrapped and left on the stoop, I didn’t even have to read the note.

  I knew.

  There was no way I was going to let another living soul be affected by Ray Barrett. I don’t care who the mother is. If there’s even a miniscule chance this baby is Ray’s, he’ll never know, not as long as I’m breathing.

  And I have no doubt she’s Ray’s. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew. She looks just like my Easton when he was born. A full head of dark hair and her beautiful eyes might’ve been petrified and hungry, but they’re a blue so light and bright I know they’ll never turn. They’ll be the color of my boy’s someday. She’s no doubt his sister.

  That baby wasn’t more than a few hours old and she was hungry. I wrapped her up in a clean towel, and can’t believe myself, but I put her in a laundry basket and strapped her into the back seat of my car. She sure has a set of lungs on her because she hollered all the way back to town.

  When I got to the doctors’ house, the two of ‘em were eating a quiet supper and were surprised to see me, but even more surprised to see me with a screaming newborn.

  Mr. A, with horrified eyes, took the laundry basket from me and Miss T, came to hold my hand.

  And I told them.

  I told them everything. About Ray, about how Easton had to grow up because I can’t seem to gather enough money for him and me to escape, and how I’ll die before another innocent human is subjected to the venomous poison that is my husband.

  That’s why Ray can’t know about this baby. It was hard enough protecting Easton. Not that I wouldn’t raise another, especially Easton’s sister. I would do that for my boy. But Ray would never let me. He’s just that horrible.

  Miss T looked over the newborn, her smart and clinical eyes examining the baby before wrapping up her naked little body, and swaddling it to her chest. Then, like they were speaking without words, Mr. A nodded to her and left.

  He was back in a flash with formula, bottles, and diapers.

  The doctors, they’re God’s people and the best around. I’ve been cleaning and cooking for them three days a week for years. I knew they’d help.

  I asked them what was gonna happen to the baby girl and begged them to help me so Ray wouldn’t find out about her because if her mama was willing to leave her naked, crying, and hungry on a stoop for some wild animal, she didn’t deserve to be a mama.

  They looked at each other and then to me. Then they told me to go home and they’d talk about it, but that they’d help me just like I knew they would.

  Fuck.

  I look up at Ellie who has tears in her eyes. She turns the page of the journal in my hands and whispers, “Keep reading.”

  August 28th —

  Today was something.

  I think I helped kidnap a baby even though the doctors told me to quit thinking of it that way. Miss T told me I saved a life yesterday. Mr. A told me it was a way to make sure Easton’s baby sister was loved and taken care of. They both told me it was a gift and we’re gonna raise her together.

  Even now, I can’t believe it, but I agreed. When I left their house this afternoon, Mr. A was doing something to make sure this baby would be theirs and only theirs. That there would be no trail to Ray—ever. He was paying someone to make her official—a birth certificate and whatever else makes a person legitimate. Then they said to quit the rest of my jobs, that I was gonna work for them full-time. I’d still cook and clean, but I’d also help raise Easton’s sister. They said we’d do it, the three of us.

  But I can’t tell anyone. Not even Easton. They made me promise and said for the safety of the baby and theirs and mine, it would be our secret … forever.

  I hope I don’t regret this but it’s a chance I’ve gotta take. That baby is just too sweet. The doctors went out and bought her some clothes and gave her a bath. She had a full belly when I left and was snoozin’ away in Miss T’s arms. She was like a little sweet pea, all bundled and cozy. I cried all the way home because that baby girl doesn’t know it, but those doctors need her just as much as she needs them.

  If only Easton could know his sister, but that’s a risk I just can’t take.

  I look up at Ellie—I can’t read any more. It doesn’t matter what more there is anyway.

  Ellie grips my hand. “Say something. This is such a shock. About your mom and … holy shit, Trig. You have a sister.”

  She’s up on her knees, leaning back on her calves, her eyes begging me to say something.

  “You had no idea?” she keeps on. “Do you know the doctors or whoever she was talking about?”

  I shake my head. “Not really. I met them a few times and mom would mention their daughter—fuck, my sister—who she took care of. But I don’t ever remember meeting her. Hell, I barely talked to the doctors at my mom’s funeral.”

  Ellie’s eyes widen and she scoots closer on her knees. “You have to call them. Reach out to them, maybe not about your sister at first, but … I don’t know, about something. Just a chance to talk to them. I can make up a reason—I was always a good liar.”

  I tip my head. “You were?”

  She raises a brow and looks proud of herself. “I snuck out every night for months on end to meet you, didn’t I?”

  I pull in a big breath and nod. “You did.”

  She crawls into my lap like she does so oft
en these days. “I can’t believe your mom. I don’t know whether to be impressed or freaked out that she was capable of that.”

  “Hell, she was my mom. How do you think I feel?”

  She lays her hand on my jaw. “Given your father, you should be proud. Knowing Faye, she would never allow a child to suffer. She did what she could to protect you and she did the same for your sister. I loved Faye and I believe she did the best she could with what life handed her.”

  I’m not sure what I think of my mother, but I’m not about to admit that.

  “We have to find her and meet her, Trig. We have to.”

  Luckily, I don’t get the chance to agree or disagree, since I have no idea how I feel about it, because Griffin interrupts and starts babbling over the monitor. I look at the wooden box and wonder what the hell else my mother kept hidden my entire life. “You get Griff before he climbs the walls and I’ll clean this shit up. The movers will be here anytime with the furniture.”

  She doesn’t completely listen because she kisses me fast and a huge smile takes over her face. “You have a sister! I wonder what she’s like?”

  I deflect because I have enough shit on my plate right now. “Your dad showed up at your old house this morning to kiss my ass because he misses you.”

  Her eyes go big. “What?”

  “Yeah. See? Both our families are fucked up.”

  She glares at me for two beats when Griffin hollers louder and she moves off my lap but still throws me a look over my shoulder. “It doesn’t matter how fucked up my family is. You’re going to call those doctors so we can meet your long-lost sister.”

  Shit.

  28

  Deeper the Love, Greater the Wreck

  Lean on the ones who love you. They know your stink better than anyone.

  Ellie

  “I can’t believe you’re moving in with him.” Jen stands, staring out toward the lake and trees and flowers that used to be Faye’s but are now ours. I have a lot of work to do, no one has tended these gardens in months and they’re overgrown—Faye would have a conniption. “I mean, I can believe it. You’re welcome, by the way.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “This was all my doing. He never would have been your attorney had I not forced him to work for me.”

  I roll my eyes and keep unpacking boxes in the kitchen. “I know you think you run the world, but not everything goes down per your command. And if you’re the one who’s orchestrated all this shit that’s gone down lately, I don’t care that you are my sister, I’ll take you out myself.”

  She shrugs like she doesn’t give a shit because she probably doesn’t. “Whatever. You’re back with Trig and you’re playing house. That’s all that matters. Oh, and that Dad finally pulled his head out of his ass. Mom called this morning and told me that she told him, in her words, to get out of her kitchen and go make things right with our baby or don’t come back.”

  “Trig told me a little bit before you got here. I don’t care how Dad feels. Whether he’s happy or mad, he’d damn well better hide it. I’ve had enough.” Apparently so had my mother. She stopped by first thing this morning and grand-napped Griffin. She told me she was keeping him for two, maybe three days. If his squeals were any indication, he was just as excited to see her. But he knows when he spends time at the ranch, he gets whatever he wants, mainly treats from his grandmother and visiting the horses with my dad.

  “Cam called,” she goes on and starts to dig through another box for me. “I’m sending the jet up next week and they’re coming for a visit. He and Paige want to see you and feel bad they haven’t been down sooner with everything that’s happened.”

  I smile. “I can’t wait to see Rose again. I bet she’s getting so big.”

  My brother and his new wife just had a baby. So much has happened since they were married last fall, it’s almost dizzying to think about.

  Jen and I chat and laugh until a comfortable silence settles over us.

  “You know I love you,” I say, still unpacking my box.

  Jen stops stacking my favorite white bowls, turns to me, and frowns.

  “I made it through because of you,” I go on.

  She gives her head a little shake. “Stop it.”

  I can’t because she has to know. “You had Cam and when it felt like I lost everything, I had you.”

  She swallows and her voice hitches. “No, stop it. You’re going to make me cry and I hate crying.”

  I move to her and lift up on my toes to wrap my sister up. “That’s because you’re you. I cry all the time.”

  She hugs me back before pushing away to swipe a detested tear from her cheek. “Don’t ever change—you’re perfect. You come to a fork in the road and say fuck it to the safe path. I’ve never said fuck it in my life until I met Eli. I’m usually the boring one. But your story is a monster, and you not only conquered it, you made it your bitch because the deeper the love, the greater the wreck. Don’t look back and don’t think about years lost. It’s time to be happy.”

  My eyes wander to the back of Faye’s property to where the soul stands who’s guilty of loving me, breaking me, and putting me back together again. I know for a fact my heart looks different than it did ten years ago, but in a way, it’s stronger. And the way I feel right now, I wouldn’t trade that for anything. My core burns deeper, my blood runs hotter, and my heart—responsible for giving me life and at the same time physical pain—is stronger than ever.

  And it only beats for Trig.

  “I think I see a bromance brewing.” Jen gives me a side-hug and kisses my temple as we both look out to where Trig is standing with Eli. They’re deep in conversation as Jen goes on. “I mean, what do you think they’re talking about? Baseball? My drama is far behind me, you’re back together with your long-lost love … the world is spinning on an even axis for once, right?”

  I pull in a big breath and hold it.

  I hope to the holder of broken hearts she’s right.

  * * *

  Trig

  I exhale and look out to the lake. “Well, that’s a coincidence I’m not at all happy about.”

  “You mean there’s a link?” Eli asks. “Who does your dad know in Highland Park?”

  I turn to him. “You know where I grew up. You think he would know anyone in Highland Park who would want him driving up and down their street?”

  “He’s casing someone. In the last two hours, he’s circled the block five times. He even stopped once for a few minutes. My guy got pictures and video of him sitting in his truck. I’m surprised no one reported it. Highland Park PD patrols that area heavily.”

  “Shit.”

  Eli frowns. “Who would he be interested in?”

  I cross my arms and shake my head because this can’t be good, not after what I learned last night about my mother, the doctors she worked for, and the baby she gave them that wasn’t hers but belonged to my father. I’m still trying to make sense of what she did, let alone process the fact I have a sister.

  I look over at the man I’ve only known for a matter of months. Sure, I can trust him with the shit I’ve thrown at him so far, but my own mother kidnapping a baby?

  That’s something I’m not anxious to shout from the rooftops.

  “I have a couple I need you to look into for me, and before you say anymore, I’m paying you for this shit because your men are working full-time on my drama right now.”

  He has the nerve to smirk. “Your list is growing by the day.”

  “Tell me about it. His name is Dr. Aleron Chenard Toussaint. He’s the most renowned neurosurgeon in North Texas. From what I read on him last night, if it weren’t for the talent at MD Anderson, he’d be at the top of the list in all of Texas. His wife is a pediatric cardiologist—name’s Dr. Tommie Endo.” I fill him in on the sordid history of my family.

  “And why am I investigating them?”

  “Because they live on that street my father seems dead set on poisoning.”

  Eli frowns. “Do you kn
ow them well enough to reach out to them?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I was going to make a visit anyway and now I’ll be doing that sooner rather than later, thanks to my damn father.”

  “Let me know if you want me to go with you,” Eli offers.

  I shake my head and look at my watch. “I’m good. This is something I need to do myself.”

  “Sounds good. I think you might keep me in business.”

  I turn back to the house and toward the mess we’ve got going on in every room of the place. Ellie and I spent the night poring over the rest of the shit in my mother’s locked wooden box and I was grateful it didn’t reveal any more felonies. Without looking at Pettit, I add, “And while I’m contributing to your retirement fund, find out everything you can on the doctors’ daughter—she’s adopted. I couldn’t find a thing about her online, not even her name. They’ve got their shit tied tight.”

  “Got it. If I find out they’ve got pets, I’ll throw that in for free.”

  I open the door to the sunroom my mother loved so much and that Ellie has made hers since we’ve been here together. “Everything, Pettit. If my dad is making a move, I need to stay one step ahead. I need to know everything on the doctors—and fast. ”

  29

  Criminal

  Surprises are just that—a shock to your system. Other times, they’re a slap in the face.

  Trig

  “I’m coming with you.”

  I reach out and tag her behind her head and pull her to me. After I press my lips to her forehead, I don’t lie when I say, “Not the kind of coming I like to hear fall from your lips.”

  She rolls her bright, blue eyes. “Very funny. There’s no point in me staying here by myself since Griffin is with my parents. She might not have been my mother, but I loved her, too. I want to see the people she committed felonies with.”