“What happens now?” Daniel asked. “Can you really help Iggy?”
Tabitha looked around Major’s shoulder. “We turn Audric over to the authorities, and yes, if Iggy wants to get away from Buchard, we can help.”
Iggy stared at his father with so much want in his eyes, it was painful to see. Daniel took a step closer to his son, and when he opened his arms, Iggy launched himself at his dad. It was almost over. The only thing left was to ensure Cabretti knew the truth. When he found out who was responsible… Well, Major wouldn’t want to be Audric. Even in prison, he wouldn’t be safe from someone with so much pull. He would get what he deserved.
Chapter 22
Tabitha enjoyed havingher parents around, so she was a little sad they left after Gregor and Zane had gone to dispatch the helicopter pilot, but they had to get home to Andy. Zane left, taking Audric in the company jet to Everett in Atlanta, leaving Tabitha and Major alone with their three guests. Seeing Daniel and Iggy reunited was a thing of beauty. Daniel had lost so much, but having his son back, even if he was an adult, would go a long way in helping the man to heal. They spent hours in front of the fire catching up. Daniel was hesitant to tell Iggy about Carmen, but his son listened intently, then hugged his dad, saying how sorry he was for his loss.
The brothers insisted Iggy use their current names and not the ones they’d been given at birth. As Craig stated, that’s who they were now and had been for the last twenty-one years. When Iggy asked Daniel if he could call him “Dad,” the man nodded while breaking down sobbing. Craig sat with them, listening, rarely joining in the conversation. He had spoken to Olivia who was headed back home. When asked about going to Stone Mountain since the film was back on, Craig said he was looking forward to it, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Craig softened toward his brother. Not only because he realized why Daniel hadn’t cared about life, thus staying drunk and doing drugs, he had bribedCraven to redo the script so that Craig got to play the hero. When Craig asked why Daniel would do that, he said he wanted his brother to be happy.
That night, Tabitha and Major ventured outside, enjoying a night sky full of stars. The snow was gone, but the air was still crisp, and being shifters, they both loved it. Major requested some Shakespeare, so Tabitha quoted Sonnet 104. Afterward, Major sang softly, and they swayed back and forth to one of Jupiter Madness’s ballads. Tabitha couldn’t wait to introduce Major to Jacoby and the rest of the band. She had already spoken to him, and her friend had put them on the list for VIP tickets to a concert of her choosing. They had to go visit Major’s parents for Natalia’s birthday, but she didn’t know when yet. Connor had come through with the painting, sending Tabitha a text with a photo of the finished product. It was stunning, but anything her cousin created was.
They remained at the safehouse while everything with Cabretti got sorted. Mason called early Monday morning to tell them Craig was safe. “With all the evidence the Trio found as well as Brad’s statement, Cabretti has been arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Until he goes to trial, Brad is being held at the Pen.”
Tabitha and Major were outside on the patio where they could speak to their boss freely. “Is Brad’s family safe? Cabretti did threaten them all.”
“They are. With him being in Miami when he was arrested, Nikita called one of her and Major’s cousins who happened to be there for a bike show. Jericho has a lot of friends on the force, and him visiting at just the right time to voice Cabretti wasn’t out of the ordinary.Once the trial is over, Brad will most likely get off with probation considering the circumstances.”
“That’s great news. We’ll let Craig know.”
“There’s something else. I called Olivia to let her know it was safe to return home, but she had a different plan in mind.” Mason explained what Craig’s wife proposed, and they agreed to make it happen. Tabitha disconnected, and she went inside to start breakfast while Major grabbed the keys to the SUV and headed out. She’d put two pounds of bacon in the oven and was mixing biscuit dough when Craig came in looking for coffee. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” Craig surprised her by asking if he could help.
“I’ve got it, but thank you for offering. Mason called, and Cabretti has been arrested. You can go back to your life now.”
“Oh. That’s good.” Craig didn’t sound as excited as Tabitha expected.
“How are you doing?”
Craig waited until he’d taken a sip of coffee before answering. “Not well. My father is blowing up my phone. No, I haven’t answered, but he won’t stop calling until I speak to him.”
Tabitha plopped the dough onto the floured surface. “Have you decided how you’re going to handle him?”
“I’m going to do as you suggested and threaten to expose the truth once your computer specialists have given Iggy his new identity. Since he’s an adult, I don’t see Buchard pushing back too hard. He’ll threaten to take back Iggy’s inheritance, but I’ve already spoken to my financial advisor about putting money aside for both of them.”
“About that.” Tabitha smoothed the dough, then cut out the biscuits and placed them on the baking pan. “The Trio has already moved Iggy’s money to a different account, but they made it look as though he blew through it traveling. Even if Buchard has his own hackers, they won’t be able to trace it.”
“You have that much faith in your family?”
“They’re the best at what they do.” Tabitha washed her hands and put the tray into the preheated oven. “Have you thought about telling Olivia the truth about who you really are?”
“Yes. It’s a conversation long overdue, but it’s one I will have when we’re face-to-face. I’m hopeful that once she hears why Daniel acted the way he did, she’ll understand him better. I know I do. For so long I hated my brother, but I never took the time to think about how he felt. Yes, my father shipped me off because I kept Daniel’s secret, but I hadn’t lost the love of my life and unborn child. I was so young and focused on what I’d lost before being thrust into a new country with no friends. I went from having cooks and housekeepers to having to fend for myself. I didn’t have what you have. And no, I still don’t believe Gregor and Tessa are your parents even though you and Tessa could pass for twins. And what was with Gregor going without a shirt in the snow?”
“Is that bacon I smell?” Iggy asked, dancing into the kitchen. Tabitha was thankful for the interruption, as she didn’t want to come up with a plausible excuse for her dad being shirtless in thirty-degree weather.
“It is. How do you like your eggs?”
“In my belly.” Iggy got closer, but he stopped and looked around. “Where’s Major?”
“He had to run an errand. Why?”
“I don’t want to get my arse kicked for flirting with his woman.” Iggy wiggled his eyebrows, and Tabitha laughed at the goofball. For someone who’d been raised in a strict environment, he hadn’t let it dim his light. “Then again, Dad says you’re a badass who doesn’t need a man fighting her battles.”
Craig raised his coffee mug her direction. “That she is. I had the bruises to prove it.”
“What are we talking about?” Daniel asked, entering the room.
