“Half-sister,” I tell her. “It’s a long story but we’ve only known each other for a few months.”
Izzy smiles at me, her pearly white teeth on show. “And she’s pregnant?”
“Yep. About four, maybe five, months.”
“How are you feeling about becoming an uncle?”
My fingers tousle my hair as I twist myself to lean against the headboard. “I’m excited, I think. I love children. But she lives in England, so I probably won’t see them much.”
Izzy rests her head on my chest, and I instinctively hold her closer. “Do you want kids?” she asks me, and I feel my heart stutter in my chest.
Thoughts of little Izzy’s run rampant through my mind. A little girl with honey-blonde hair being chased by a boy with my dark hair and her blue eyes. Me, holding a baby with chubby cheeks and a perfect smile.
I push the thoughts away, not wanting to dwell on a future that will never be mine.
“I do… but I wouldn’t want to bring kids into my world. It’s too dangerous.”
She hums, and I’m not sure if it’s in agreement.
“What about you?”
She stills, then says, “Yeah, I want three.”
I let my arms tighten around her, not saying anything, until I know it’s time for me to let go. Hesitantly, I get up, leaving Izzy behind in my bed as I shower and get ready for the day.
I prepare breakfast and leave some out on the side for her, before shutting myself in my office.
Now she’s awake, and I know who was behind her attack, it’s time for me to make the bastards pay.
My office is my favorite room in my apartment—a sanctuary of order and quiet amid the chaos of my life.
The walls are painted a deep forest green, the same tone as my spare room, a color that’s always reminded me of Izzy. I don’t know why green is her favorite, but I do know that blue is mine—the exact shade of her eyes. That’s why the space is accented with rare art pieces in varying hues of blue, each one carefully chosen, each one a quiet tribute to her.
Dark wood bookshelves line one wall, filled with an assortment of books, some read, some not. In the center stands my desk, overlooking the wall of glass to my right where I can see out onto the city skyline.
Sinking into my chair while I wait for my computer to turn on, I call Kai. Both of us know our way around technology and can track someone down with very little information. Two eyesare always better than one, and I want this done quickly. My skills rival his—that’s not bragging, he’d say the same thing—but only because I have more resources at my disposal.
The call rings out.
“What’s up?” he asks, answering just as I’m about to give up.
“Lucas Delaney. Find out everything you can about him and anyone he associates with. No detail is insignificant.”
He huffs. “Hello to you too.”
“Tess is clearly influencing you too much if you want to make small talk with me.”
I’m pretty sure I hear him roll his eyes. “Alright, I’m on it. Wanna tell me why?”
“Nope. Thanks.”
I hang up.
Normally, I’d be down to chat with him, but I desperately need to find out something—anything—about the other men involved in her attack. Finding her sobbing after a nightmare last night broke me. I need blood to spill. I need itnow.
I lose myself in my search, only resurfacing when a hesitant knock at my door startles me.
“Come in,” I call, leaning back in my chair.
