That one muttered sentence seemed to penetrate Reaper’s haze and he finally glanced up, his black eyes meeting Merc’s with desperation. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Then don’t.” Merc knew he couldn’t live without her. No matter what happened, she was his heart and soul.
And even though it would nearly destroy him, he’d kill Reaper to protect her.
“You really think he’ll let them go?” Reaper said in a near whisper.
Merc slowly shook his head. “No, but I know we can save them. Together.”
Reaper lowered his weapon an inch and Merc desperately wished he knew what his brother was thinking. “I know where he is holding our team. And I have an idea of where he has hers.”
“Then help us.”
After what had to be the longest minute of Merc’s life, Reaper lowered his weapon. “Okay.”
A loud gunshot ripped through the night air. A bullet slammed into Reaper’s shoulder and he went to his knees.
“No!” Merc swung around, firing off his last round. His bullet grazed Rainier’s arm. The General dropped his gun and grabbed his arm and then he took off running toward the crowds around the front of the house.
Merc couldn’t go after him. He ran to Marissa and yanked Cotter off of her, snatching her to his chest. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
Nightshade buriedher face into his chest, her sobs muffled by the thick material of his jacket. “No. Cotter…”
She couldn’t say it. She’d found and lost her real father in the space of less than a night. Pain twisted her insides. Mankel had lied to her, her whole life. He’d told her Cotter was the enemy. He’d pretended to be her father. She dug her nails deeper into Merc’s jacket to keep from screaming.
“He’s alive, baby.”
Nightshade shoved back to see Cotter’s eyes were closed and blood covered his torso, but his chest rose and fell in shallow rapid succession.
She dropped to her knees beside her father. “Please, don’t die.”
Not when she’d finally found the truth. The acceptance and love she’d worked so hard for from Mankel had come so easily from the man lying on the grass in front of her.
Cotter’s hand lifted from the ground and covered hers. “Marissa, you have to know the truth.”
Marissa. Her real name. He’d given her a normal real name. “Don’t. Not now. Save your strength,” she said.
Merc placed a hand on her shoulder, his comfort bolstering her strength. Cotter opened his eyes, pain etched into the deepening lines around his mouth. Pain and love. “You need to listen, Marissa.”
As much as she loved hearing his name for her, it wasn’t how she wanted him to know her. Nightshade fit her. It was her. “Nightshade.”
Cotter nodded. “Nightshade. It fits you.” A hard cough racked him. When he was able to speak again, there was blood on his lips. “Mankel took you from us to punish us. But you have to know Sarah and I loved each other. She loved you. I love you.”
“But why?” Why would a man kidnap a baby and spend his entire life living a lie? Surely it couldn’t be only revenge. He’d destroyed all their lives.
“He’s got a mental problem. Sarah suspected it, but his actions have proved it. He’s insane.” Cotter gripped her hand in a surprising show of strength. “I never want you to put yourself in danger, but you’ve got to get Caroline from him.”
She nodded, “I will.” She was strong and she knew Mankel better than anyone on the planet.
And now, she had burning need for revenge.
“Tell Caro I love her, too.” Cotter coughed again and more blood flowed from his lips.
“No. Don’t. Please hold on.” Her pleading tear stained face turned up to Merc. “Call your team. Get help.”
“Baby, I –“
Cotter interrupted him by pulling her hand. “Nightshade, I’m proud of the strong, intelligent woman you’ve become. I love you. I’ve always loved you.” Cotter took a deep, shuddering breath and then his hand went limp.
Nightshade clung to it, holding it pressed against her cheek as her tears flowed freely. “Please don’t leave me. Not now.”
But he was already gone. And Nightshade was alone. Without a father.
Merc wrapped his arms around her, and she clung to him, needing his support more than she’d ever needed anything in her entire life.
