Page 47 of The Last Shadow

“Bum fuck.” I step out, inhaling the sharp night air, and walk past the barn, stopping at the tree. “This was my family’s house.”

Damien follows, his steps heavy. “Why are we here, Francesca?”

I press my hand against the tree, grounding myself. “To share demons.” I pause, gathering strength. “When I was a teenager, some men broke in. My dad and his partner, Jay, were investigating them, and they didn’t take it well.”

“I know. You told me.”

I nod, my voice tightening. “I didn’t tell you all of it.” I meet his eyes, seeing the impact of my words already. “They didn’t just come to scare us, Damien. They came to make sure we’d never get in their way again.”

His face hardens, his fists clenching.

“What you don’t know is that it wasn’t my dad who shot them. Or my mom.” I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “I wanted to help, so I grabbed my dad’s backup gun.” I close my eyes, remembering it all too clearly.

“Without thinking, I raised the gun and squeezed the trigger, hitting one in the side. I remember being surprised at how loud it was. Another shot rang out, but it was the one that hit dad, and I pulled the trigger two more times.” I remember freaking out and screaming while Mom did the same. I open my eyes and our gazes lock.

“Francesca,” he whispers, taking a step forward.

I swallow hard, the memories flooding back. “There was another guy, and I shot at him, but he got away. The bullet just hit the wall.” My voice wavers, but I press on. “A few minutes later, Jay showed up. Mom was bawling, I was bawling. It was horrific.” I choke on a sob, trying to hold myself together. “Jay sent me to my room, and I watched him wipe the gun clean, then put it in my dad’s hand. When the investigation started, Jay drilled the story into me, making me promise to tell it exactly the way he told me. The story I first told you.”

Damien’s face darkens as he absorbs it all. “Jay covered it up,” he says, his voice low and tense. “You killed those men, and Jay covered it up.”

“Yeah,” I whisper, barely meeting his eyes. “That’s why it’s so hard to accept that you both lied to me for so long. You both used me.”

“Francesca, I think you need to know something. It’s time you knew the truth.”

“What truth? That I’m a cold-blooded killer like you are? Hell, I know that. Wait until you hear what’s behind door number two,” I snort.

“Francesca, listen to me.” Damien’s voice is low, commanding. “I know you’re not going to believe this, but Jason Hawkins is your father. Your real father.”

I stare at him, waiting for some hint that he’s joking, but his expression doesn’t change. He’s dead serious.

“No, he’s not!” My voice breaks, and I feel the anger boiling up, filling my chest like fire. “Frank DeMarco is my father. I’m named after him, for fuck’s sake. Why would you even say that?”

Damien grabs my arms, steadying me, his eyes intense. “Kitten, I know this is hard to believe,” he says, giving me a slight shake. “But as soon as I had the resources to look into Hawkins, I did. It’s how I found out everything about you. Your mother, Suzanne Gloria Garner, also lived at Hope House.”

I shake my head, staring into Damien’s eyes, searching for some hint that this isn’t real. “No.”

“Yes, kitten. That’s where she met Jay. The cop on the take.” He watches me closely, unflinching. “Hawkins was already married, so your mom married Frank DeMarco. But she and Jay kept seeing each other for years.”

“No.” The word slips out, barely a whisper, but it feels like a punch to the chest. “How could you know that? Why are you lying to me?”

Damien’s gaze sharpens. “I’m a tech genius, Frankie. I also have your DNA. And Jay’s DNA.” He pauses, watching the shock settle over me. “I know everything. About you, Jay, your mother.” His eyes darken, voice dropping lower. “Even George McCormick.”

The name hits me like a punch to the gut, freezing me in place. My mouth goes dry, and my legs buckle beneath me as I drop to the ground, shaking. My breath comes in shallow gasps, and before I know it, the tears start, hot and unstoppable.

Damien knows everything.

And it will destroy me.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Damien

Francesca collapses to her knees, her breath coming in shallow gasps, and panic spikes in my chest. She knows I know. She knows I’ve uncovered her secrets, the horrible things she’s done.

This is all part of my plan.

“Francesca!” I kneel beside her, my hands cupping her face, forcing her to look at me. “You’re okay. Just breathe.”

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