Chapter 14 - THE FATHER WHO NEVER DIED
Norah did not believe Sebastian.
Until the federal agents found Thomas Hastings forty-eight hours later.
Alive.
Living under another name in Vermont.
He had spent fourteen years in witness protection.
When Norah saw him through the glass of the private interview room, her knees almost gave out.
He looked older.
White hair.
Thinner face.
Same eyes.
“Nora-bird.”
She broke.
She crossed the room and hit him once in the chest.
Then again.
Then threw her arms around him.
“You died.”
“I know.”
“You let me bury you.”
“I know.”
“You left me.”
His voice broke.
“I know.”
She cried against him.
Dominic stood outside.
He did not interrupt.
Later, Thomas explained everything.
Sebastian had tried to kill him.
Federal investigators had secretly approached Thomas after the crash.
They offered protection if he testified.
But Sebastian had people everywhere.
Thomas agreed to disappear until enough evidence existed to destroy the organization.
“Why not take me?”
“Because the program couldn’t guarantee your safety if I did.”
Norah looked at him.
“So you left me alone?”
“You had your mother.”
“She died two years later.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“I know.”
The pain in his face was real.
Norah wanted to hate him.
She couldn’t.
Not completely.
Thomas looked through the glass toward Dominic.
“You love him.”
Norah followed his gaze.
“Yes.”
“Does he love you?”
Before Norah could answer, Dominic entered.
“Yes.”
Thomas blinked.
Dominic sat across from him.
“I do.”
Norah stared.
Dominic looked at her.
No games.
No hesitation.
“I have for a long time.”
Her breath caught.
Thomas studied him.
“You’re your father’s son.”
Dominic’s face hardened.
“No.”
Thomas nodded slowly.
“No. You’re not.”
Something shifted.
Like a curse breaking.
Thomas reached into his coat.
“There’s one more thing.”
He placed a document on the table.
Dominic read it.
His expression changed.
“What is this?”
“A transfer agreement.”
“For what?”
“The Castile foundation.”
Thomas nodded.
“Your sister created it eighteen years ago.”
Norah frowned.
“Why?”
“To take legitimate Castile assets away from the criminal organization.”
Dominic read the final page.
Beneficiaries:
Dominic Castile.
Julian Castile.
Elena Castile.
Norah Hastings.
Norah stared.
“Me?”
Thomas smiled faintly.
“Elena trusted you before she knew you.”
“How?”
“She trusted me.”
Dominic looked at Thomas.
“What does this mean?”
“It means Sebastian never owned the legitimate empire.”
“Who does?”
Thomas looked at Norah.
“All four of you.”
Dominic sat back.
For the first time, he saw a way out.
A way to leave the criminal side without abandoning thousands of employees.
A way to build something different.
Then Thomas looked at him.
“There is one condition.”
“What?”
“You must dissolve every illegal operation tied to the Castile name.”
Dominic did not hesitate.
“Done.”
Norah looked at him.
“You’re certain?”
He took her hand.
“I spent my life inheriting my father’s sins.”
His thumb moved across her knuckles.
“I’d rather build something worth giving my son.”
Julian, standing in the doorway, heard him.
His face changed.
“Your son?”
Dominic looked at him.
“If you’ll let me be.”
Julian swallowed.
Then nodded.
“Maybe.”
It was enough.
Later that night, Dominic drove Norah home.
At her door, he stopped.
“There’s one more thing.”
She smiled.
“You people have far too many secrets.”
“This one is mine.”
He reached into his pocket.
Norah’s eyes widened.
“Dominic…”
He held a ring.
But he did not kneel.
Not yet.
“I’m not asking tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ve had enough surprises.”
She laughed.
“Then why show me?”
“So you know where this is going.”
Her eyes filled.
“And where is that?”
He stepped closer.
“Home.”
Then his phone rang.
Mateo.
Dominic answered.
His expression changed.
“Say that again.”
Norah frowned.
“What?”
May you like
Dominic lowered the phone.
“Sebastian escaped custody.”
