“No, actually. He went for a walk instead.”
Now that Adria thought about it, she didn’t even remember him coming to bed.
“Figures,” her mother said.
“What does that mean?” Adria said.
“He wants to pretend he doesn’t know about his father’s dealings. It’s admirable really. Protecting family like that. But for your position to turn favorable, you’re going to need to maneuver his cooperation.”
Adria’s chewing slowed. “If Bryson says he doesn’t know, I believe him.”
Her mother gave her a patronizing look. “Trust is a delicate thing, my dear.”
“I’m aware,” Adria said. “But Bryson has just as much to lose in this as I do.”
“I doubt that very much,” her mother said.
Anger simmered in Adria’s middle. She didn’t like the direction this was going.
“Where have you been?” Adria said, her voice smaller than she would have liked.
Her mother turned, putting both her hands together. She hit Adria with a warm stare. “My sweet little Adria, I cannot believe how well you have done. I never in a million years thought you would build such a life for yourself. You are stronger than I ever could have hoped for. Please know I missed you every day.”
Adria said, tears filling in her eyes, “Why didn’t you call?”
Her mother ran a finger along her cheek. “It was too risky, love. Your safety was always my number one priority. If you knew the truth, knew I was living with Xander, your safety would have been at risk.”
Adria leaned into her mother’s hand, enjoying the touch. Memories of the two of them kept running through her mind.
Craft days on the kitchen table. Making Feijoada, taking long walks around the grounds. Leaning on her mother as she learned to swim. Adria didn’t realize how much she had missed about her until now.
Sophia continued, “Which is why we need to catch Callen and Alessandro red handed. With proof, you can cast doubt. Secure safety not only for yourself but for your newfound beaus and myself.”
Adria wanted to push. She wanted to ask her mother more questions, but she also didn’t want to ruin the moment. She and her mother had lost so much time and Adria didn’t want to be the reason they wasted any more.
Nodding she said, “I understand.”
“Talk to Bryson. Maybe there are things he knows that could help. Or maybe there are things he knows that he doesn’t realize could help.”
CHAPTER 47
CURITIBA PARANÁ
Bryson ran along a path surrounding the estate. It was the first time he had been able to run since Regan’s.
He missed it.
The way the path pounded under his feet. Each footfall, sent tiny stones skittering into the damp underbrush; each inhale drawing in the damp jungle air. The rhythm of his breath brushing away his thoughts.
The simple repetitive movement was freeing.
Last night, it had been after four in the morning by the time he had gone to bed. Adria, Seth, and Kaydon were tangled in a ball, and he had chosen to sleep on the couch instead.
The accusation against his father kept running through his head. First Elena and now Adria’s mom. If they could prove that Callen and Jonathan were having under-the-table dealings with Alessandro, they might be able to prove that killing Jonathan was necessary.
But if they did that, they would be signing his father’s death warrant.
Bryson could tell Adria wanted to talk to him about it last night, but Bryson just didn’t have the energy. He didn’t have anyillusions of who his father was and truthfully, Bryson and his brothers would be safer with Callen dead.
