These weren’t just David’s friends.
They were operatives.
A soft voice drifted up from where David sat on the ground, cradling Mia in his lap.
“Mor...” David’s voice was gentle, careful. He stopped himself. “We should go inside.” He shifted slightly so he could look at her face. “We’ll have some tea and talk.”
Mia looked dazed, her eyes puffy and wet from crying. She nodded numbly.
Nolan was there in a flash, gently helping Mia to her feet.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you,” Nolan said to her, his voice low. “It wasn’t my place.”
“Wait...” Mia stopped, wiping at her cheeks with shaking hands. “You said you worked for your stepfather.”
“It’s a long story,” Nolan told her, glancing at David, who had risen to his feet and was dusting off his jeans. “But let’s get inside.”
They moved as a group toward David’s cabin, the warm light spilling from the windows a stark contrast to the cold darkness of the woods around them.
Dan paused at the door, his hand on his wife’s arm. “We’ll check the perimeter and do a quick sweep to ensure no one followed the kid.” He glanced around the room, his eyes landing on David. “It looks like you have a lot of catching up and explaining to do.”
David nodded, his jaw tight.
Dan and Milly disappeared back outside.
Inside the cabin, the fire still crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls. The warmth was a relief after the tension outside, but Eve still felt cold.
Nolan moved to the kitchen area, his voice cutting through the quiet. “Coffee? Tea?”
“I’ll have a coffee,” Lila said, raising her hand.
Nolan looked at her, then glanced at Mia, one eyebrow raised.
“No,” Mia said, shaking her head. “Nice try, though.”
“Worth a shot.” Lila shrugged. “Just some tea, please.”
“Same,” Brian added quietly from where he stood near the door, looking uncertain.
“I’ll help you,” Mia offered, and she and Nolan disappeared into the kitchen.
David turned to Eve, and their eyes met.
Eve’s heart stuttered.
“We need to talk,” David said, his voice rough. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I...” He opened them again, looking lost. “How did this happen?”
Eve frowned. “David. Did you really not know Mia was your daughter? Or that she was here in St. Augustine? What’s your relationship with William that he’s been keeping an eye on Mia and Mary all these years?”
“Mary?” David’s brow furrowed. Then realization dawned. “You mean Nancy.”
“She was always Mary to me,” Eve told him, and guilt racked through her again. “Dr. Mary Gray.”
“I’ll explain everything,” David promised. His expression shifted, darkened. “You said William was looking after them all these years?”
“Yes,” Eve nodded. “He visited at least twice, sometimes three times a year. And phoned at least once a week.”
“That old goat!” David hissed, his jaw clenching. “He knew the risks, and he still took them!”
