Page 150 of Stealth Mission

“Tell her why,” Evan says in a dead voice.

Dead. Devoid of all emotion.

Because of me.

Pain erupts in my body. Slicing, twisting, ripping me apart. I barely hold my spine upright as my world collapses around me.

Peter’s gaze falls to the porch floor.

Breathe, Marianna. Just breathe. You can’t die from a broken heart.

When I try to stand so I can run, hide, disappear, Peter’s gaze jumps to mine. A river of tears is pouring from his eyes. “I did it to free you.”

Another knife to my chest. My mind locks up with disbelief as my mouth drops open. A horrible sound comes from my shaking chest.

“Free me? That farm wasmy life! My tie to my grandfather. My world…”

My words dissolve into choking sobs.

Peter tries to come to me but Evan shoves him back in the chair. With a bitter look toward Evan, Peter softens his voice. “Child, that farm was your curse. Just like your mother’s.”

No. Not a curse. I stare at him, my body going numb. My vision hazed over.

Peter’s face crumples. His voice is an ancient rattle when he speaks this time. “Your father’s always been after that farm. He wanted your grandfather to sell it when you were just a baby. That’s what your mother was upset about when she died in the car wreck.”

I’m out of my body now, above. The Marianna sitting there on the porch breaks down. Tears drown her, choke her, pour down her face.

She folds into a ball, wrapping her arms around her knees, and I want to pull her away. Far, far away.

Then I’m snapped back when Evan’s strong arms wrap around me and pull into his lap on the floor. He cradles my head in a fierce embrace. When I scream bloody murder, he holds me.

He holds me through the fury. He doesn’t stop holding me when I beat his arm with my fist.

“I got you, baby.”

“My life is gone!” It’s a screamed nightmarish sound that shocks even my own nervous system.

Peter covers his face and cries. Soft, aching wails.

Evan’s deep, soothing voice rumbles against my ear. “I’ve got you. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”

It’s a long time before he speaks again, but when he does it’s to demand an answer from Peter. “How did you sell something that belongs to her?”

“It never belonged to her. It was deeded to me after her grandfather’s death. He didn’t want Marianna to bear the brunt of the burden because he knew what her father was capable of.”

I twist around in Evan’s arms, but he doesn’t let me go. “How is that possible? The business is in my name?”

“DonAzule Agave and Tequila is in your name.”

“The farm wasn’t…” I wheeze.

“Gone. I sold it. I just needed a few documents out of your grandfather’s files to make it complete. It’s done. Now you’re free to go. Free to live the life a young woman should. Free. When Evan came into your life, I knew it was time. I knew he would take you away from here.”

I don’t know what happens next.

A black void swallows me.

When I come to, there’s a rumble like tires beneath me.

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