“Thanks for this.”
“No problem. Want me to email over what I found?”
“Sure. That would be great, thanks.”
“Anytime, man. Listen, if you need anything?—”
“I’ll reach out. Thanks, Tucker.”
“No problem, Zane. Stay safe.”
I end the call and pause to take a deep breath before continuing down the beach.
She was abused by her father and by a man she met afterward. Now, someone is trying to kill her.
Was changing names and living as different people really better than what I could offer her? Or is there more to that story, too?
“Hey there, Cap.” Ryker sets aside his book and stands as soon as I’m on board.
“Thanks for this.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be working tonight, but if you need me, let me know.”
“Will do, thanks.” I start to walk away, then pause. “Actually, can you grab the others? Have everyone meet back here in an hour?”
He nods. “You get word on what’s going on?”
“Tucker got back to me. I’ve got some information, but nothing concrete yet.” I start toward the door, pausing just a moment and turning toward him. “Did she say anything to you?”
He shakes his head. “She’s been down there ever since I got here. Aside from me briefly checking in on her just to make sure she didn’t climb out of one of the windows, I haven’t seen her.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
“No problem. See you soon, Cap.”
“See ya.” I turn back toward the door and grip the handle to pull it open.
Tessa is sitting at the table, a notepad in front of her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I pilfered your stash of office supplies.” Since her clothes were destroyed last night, she’s wearing a pair of my joggers and one of my t-shirts.
They’re far too big for her, but she’s breathtaking. And seeing her in them ignites something in me I’m not quite ready to face. Especially not when the anger in my chest is building with every passing second.
“Has your life really been better without me?” I blurt out. I should have prepared. Eased into it, but as the color drains from her face, I realize that approaching it any other way might have just given her time to put those walls back up.
I need them to come down because I desperately need to understand what it was about her new life that was so appealing compared to what I was offering.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I can’t sit, so I cross my arms. “What happened in Dallas, Kate? Or should I call you Janice? Taylor? Oh, I know—” I snap my fingers. “Lisa. I can’t quite keep up with all the names you have.” Anger laces every word, and even though I know I should have calmed myself before this conversation, my desire to get answers is stronger than the manners my mother ingrained in me.
I’m all over the place, but I just don’t get it. I don’t understand why she left. None of it makes any sense. After all we’d been through, all we were to each other, I’m just not buying her story that she simply changed her mind.
How could she?
I would have given her everything I could. Would have done anything to make her happy.
Tessa gets to her feet, using a hand on the table to steady herself. “That’s none of your business.”
“It is my business because you showed up on my boat with a stab wound in your thigh.” I take a step closer. “It is my business because I nearly took a bullet for you. If you want my help, you need to be honest.”
