Page 54 of Broken Promises

“So you didn’t physically hurt anyone, but you still tried to force me into a career I didn’t want and into a marriage I’d be miserable in.”

Wolfe sighs and looks at his hands. “Believe it or not, that was to protect you.” Maverick and I both scoff at the same time.

“You need to give me more than that.” Maverick’s tone is bordering on a plea, but he’s still too angry to go there.

Wolfe’s lips press into a firm line. “I can’t,” he says, looking at the cameras again.

“Give me something, Dad. Please.” This time, the desperation bleeds through in Maverick’s voice and expression. I grab his hand and grip it tightly in mine.

“He’s here,” Wolfe whispers and immediately stands.

“Who’s here? In the prison?” Mav asks. Wolfe shakes his head almost imperceptibly. He’s holding his hands out for the cuffs before we can ask him anything else.

“I love you, Maverick. I’m sorry.” With those parting words, he’s being led through the door and back into the bowels of the prison.

“Who was he talking about?” Harlow asks after we finish recounting our day to everyone from our usual seats around Cal’s table. Well, everyone else is in a seat. I’m in Declan’s lap, tracing the lines of his tattoos on the arms he has wrapped around me. The one on his left arm is of the mountain range near the campground we grew up going to. It’s the one I find my fingers tracing almost unconsciously all the time. He didn’t enjoy letting me go into the prison alone and has been clinging to me ever since.

“His partner?” I suggest. “He kept glancing at the guard and the cameras like he was worried about saying too much.”

“It’s Ezra. It has to be,” Declan says. “I had three hours in the car to think about this, and it’s the only thing that makes sense. There’s no point telling us his partner is here. That’s a conclusion we would’ve jumped to, anyway.”

Harrison looks at Maverick for a moment before speaking, like he’s trying to weigh his words carefully. “Maverick, did you ever see your father hurt your mother?”

Mav blinks slowly. “You believe him?”

“It’s not a matter of belief. I just want facts,” Harrison says gently.

“No. I never witnessed it, but she would always call me to help her with her injuries after,” he admits sadly, gaze turning down to his lap.

“I’m sticking with the Senator Wolfe theory. It’s all we have right now and even if he’s not guilty of some crimes, he isn’t innocent.” Harlow says, sharing a glance with Jo. “Our platform for the podcast is open and taking submissions as of this morning. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and someone will have a lead on Ezra.”

“I’ll start digging into associates,” Harrison says. “Are there any old classmates or childhood friends your dad ever spoke about?” he asks Maverick.

Mav’s face scrunches up in thought before he nods. “I don’t know his name,” Mav sighs and places his head in his hands. “There was one guy he just called an ‘old buddy’ that he would meet for drinks once or twice a year. I never asked because we weren’t close, and I didn’t care.”

“Harlow, can you start pulling yearbooks? Look for any pictures of Wolfe with someone else. I’m in the middle of looking into his current known associates, but they’re all corrupt and it’s a lot of shit to dig through.” Harlow nods to her dad.

The conversation switches to Harrison, Harlow, and Jo talking research strategy. I stifle a yawn, but Declan notices.

“Come on, Princess. It’s been a long day.”

I leap off his lap before he can stand with me in his arms. “No carrying me until your knees are feeling better.”

His eyes narrow, but he listens and holds out his hand to me instead. I take it, enjoying the way his rough, warm hand feels against mine.

“Are you staying here or at my house?” I ask Jo. She’s supposed to be moving into her own apartment in a few days, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Harlow insists she stay here until we figure out who is working with Wolfe. Someone tried to silence Harlow. Trying to silence Jo next makes sense.

“Can you stay with me? Please?” Mav asks sounding so broken it breaks my heart.

They stare at each other for a moment before Jo nods.

“We’re going to find Ezra,” Kai says to Maverick. “Whether he’s here or in the jungles of Brazil, we’ll find him. He’s alive, Mav. Hold on to that.”

“I’m trying. I’m trying so damn hard, Kai,” Mav admits.

I glance up at Declan, but he looks just as helpless as I feel.

“Hey, Dec. Did your friend get pictures of me at your game last night?” Cal asks, changing the subject and causing Harlow to roll her eyes.

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