“I am cooperating,” Bryson said, an edge creeping into his voice.
Kaydon’s hand gripped his thigh under the table.
“I honestly have no idea what you are talking about,” Bryson said, trying to keep his voice calm.
“Of course, dear. And no one would suggest otherwise. We all understand the delicate nature of your situation,” Sophia said.
But her tone didn’t match her words, and Bryson couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being treated like the villain here.
“If Bryson’s father is taking part in double dealings, how would we prove it?” Adria said.
Sophia’s expression changed when she addressed Adria. “I have enlisted Cole to help us and he has already provided some valuable information. In a few weeks, he will fly down here with his final report.”
“Cole?” Adria squeaked.
Sophia nodded. “He works in the FBI financial sector. He has access to things even Xander can’t get a hold of.”
“I don’t want Cole mixed up in this,” Adria said defiantly, and Bryson had to fight to keep his jealousy under control.
Sophia gave her daughter an exasperated expression before speaking to her in a soft tone. “My dear, he was mixed up in thisthe minute you invited him into your life. That is the game. You have known that since you were a girl.”
Geez, it was no wonder Adria had trust issues.
If she had been told since she was six that anyone she spoke to she was putting in danger, then how was she supposed to form any attachments?
“And, after what happened with Maxim, we need someone we can trust. Frankly, I am surprised you didn’t contact Cole sooner.”
Adria shook her head. “No, I kept him separate. I don’t want him to get hurt because of me.”
“He will be fine,” Sophia said, but Bryson tracked the lie.
He had seen it done enough times to know Sophia didn’t give a shit about Cole.
The question remained. What did she care about?
CHAPTER 44
CURITIBA PARANÁ
Adria was on cloud nine when she made her way back to the room.
Her mother was here. A fact that was beyond her wildest dreams. Of course she had hoped that X, Xander, would have been able to get them in touch. But to see her, feel her…
It touched something inside her that Adria hadn’t known was missing. All those childhood memories, the ones where Adria actually felt safe, came flooding back the instant her mother’s face had come into the room. It was like a safe harbor, hidden and forgotten, suddenly sprang to life, holding her in all the ways she’d forgotten she’d needed.
Adria had wanted to talk with her, but her mother had said they had plenty of time and that she should get her rest after the last long few days.
Her mother wasn’t wrong. After the morning travel events, Adria was so tired.
The four of them stood in the large apartment-sized room, and Adria eyed the walls of implements. While it was nice of Xander to furnish the room like that, Adria didn’t feel sexual.Looking around, she didn’t see the normal hunger in the group either.
Perhaps they just needed some rest.
“I’m going for a walk,” Bryson said.
Adria tracked his movements. Her mother thought Bryson’s father was involved and Adria couldn’t say she was surprised, but she wanted to hear how Bryson felt about it all.
“Want me to come with?” she said, touching his arm.
