Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO ABANDONED US NEVER LEFT
I laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because sometimes the truth becomes so ridiculous that the only alternative is screaming.
“Richard Hail is not Marcus's father.”
Gabriel didn't move.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Jean—”
“No.”
Marcus's father had called himself Eric Lewis.
He was charming.
Unreliable.
Always changing jobs.
We were together for eight months.
Then I got pregnant.
He disappeared before my second trimester.
No explanation.
No goodbye.
I'd spent eight years hating a ghost.
“Eric Lewis was his name.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“An alias.”
My chest tightened.
Thomas asked, “Why would Hail use an alias?”
Gabriel looked at him.
“To get close to Jean.”
The warehouse seemed colder.
I stared at Gabriel.
“Why?”
“To find Elena.”
My stomach dropped.
“He dated me because of my mother?”
“Yes.”
“And Marcus?”
Gabriel's expression changed.
“He wasn't supposed to happen.”
The words hit me like a slap.
Thomas stepped toward Gabriel.
“Choose your next words carefully.”
Gabriel ignored him.
“Richard didn't know Elena was already dead. He thought Jean could lead him to her.”
My throat tightened.
“And when I got pregnant?”
“He disappeared because Russo ordered him out.”
I felt sick.
Thomas frowned.
“Damian Russo controlled Hail?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Russo has spent thirty years looking for Elena's evidence.”
Thomas looked toward me.
The ring suddenly felt heavier than metal.
I swallowed.
“Where is Marcus?”
Gabriel pulled out his phone.
A video appeared.
Marcus sat on a couch in a small room.
Eating pizza.
Watching cartoons.
A woman stood nearby.
He looked safe.
I nearly collapsed.
“Can I talk to him?”
“Yes.”
Gabriel called.
Marcus answered immediately.
“Mom?”
I cried.
“Baby.”
“I’m okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Grandpa Gabe is weird.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Thomas turned away, clearly hiding amusement.
I laughed through tears.
“Don't call strangers grandpa.”
“He says he's not a stranger.”
“We're discussing that later.”
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“The bad man said he was my dad.”
My smile vanished.
“What?”
“He said you lied about him.”
I gripped the phone.
“Marcus, listen to me. You did nothing wrong. I never lied to you.”
“I know.”
My throat closed.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The call ended.
I looked at Gabriel.
“I want him back tonight.”
“You'll have him.”
“Not eventually.”
“Tonight.”
Then Thomas's phone rang.
Vincent.
He answered.
“What?”
His expression changed.
“When?”
He looked at me.
Richard Hail had disappeared from his apartment.
So had Damian Russo.
Vincent continued speaking.
Thomas's face grew colder.
Then he hung up.
“What happened?”
Thomas looked at Gabriel.
“Someone attacked one of our men outside Marcus's safe house.”
Gabriel's face changed.
“How?”
“They knew the address.”
Silence.
I stared at Gabriel.
“Who knew?”
“Four people.”
“Names.”
“Me. Two security men.”
He stopped.
Thomas's eyes narrowed.
“And?”
Gabriel looked toward him.
“Elena.”
My stomach dropped.
“My mother is dead.”
Gabriel's expression became unreadable.
“No, Jean.”
I stopped breathing.
Thomas stared at his brother.
May you like
Gabriel whispered,
“Elena is alive.”
