Page 84 of Broken Promises

He recounts the short trip and how odd it felt, then pulls a small book from his pocket.

“He slipped me this when the guard’s back was turned and made some comment about having called in his last favor.”

Harrison takes the book from him and flips through the pages. His eyes widen and brows shoot to his hairline. “Have you looked at this?” he asks Maverick.

Mav shakes his head. “No. I got in the car and drove right back here. This is the first time it’s been out of my pocket.”

Harrison hands the book back to him. “I need that back when you’re done with it, but I think you should read it first.”

Mav takes the book and opens it to the first page. His eyes scan the words, but his expression is unreadable. Once he’s finished, he puts it on the counter and turns it to face us. “I think you guys need to read this too.”

I grab it and read it out loud.

My Dearest Son,

I know what you think of me, but all my actions since the moment you were born were to protect you. I didn’t always succeed, but I tried. This journal is all I can leave you. I will detail as much as I can before my expiration date.

I stumbled into a world of violence and blood that promised me power and wealth. While I received those things in spades, they were not worth the price.Everything I have been accused of is true and so much more. Everything except what you have accused me of.

In my line of work, love is weakness, and weakness means death. I couldn’t show you love and affection, for it would make you my weakness. I had hoped over time you would harden your heart, but I should’ve known you could never. You are so much like your mother in that regard. Not Eva. She is no mother to you. You’ll soon find that out once you read this journal.

I need you to know; I loved your mother with everything I was capable of, and I will until my last breath. She was a light in this world, just like you are. And because of that, I couldn’t take your light from you.

Ezra is alive, Maverick. Eva wanted me to kill him, to take what you loved so that you would break and bend to her will. Instead, I staged it to look like he was killed and paid off judges and police officers to have him legally declared as such. I cannot tell you where he is, as I made sure I wasn’t aware of his movements after I got him out of the state.

That being said, I have written a phone number at the end of this journal. Call it when you’re ready to bring him home. Eva must be taken care of before you make that call, Maverick. You will both be in danger if you jumpthe gun. Ezra saw something he shouldn’t have, something even Eva won’t tell me about, and I believe he has proof to back it up. If she even thinks he’s alive for a moment, she’ll kill him.

Trust in the family you’ve built. They’ve protected you so far and will continue to do so. Ask Harrison for help. Make Eva pay when I failed to. Bring Ezra home to you.

I’m so proud of you, Maverick. You chased your dreams and fought hard for them. You love even harder and have a loyalty that runs deep. You are everything I hoped you could be and everything I wish I was. I love you, and I’m sorry.

Always,

Dad

I look up and see tears in Maverick’s eyes and confusion in everyone else’s.

“So Eva isn’t your mom,” Cal says. “But you look like her.”

“Where’s the number?” Kai interrupts, grabbing for the journal, but Maverick snatches it to his chest.

“We can’t, Kai.”

“Give it to me, Maverick.” Kai’s voice is low and scarier than I’ve ever heard it.

“Malikai,” Belle says, grabbing him and forcing him to face her. “I know you want your brother, but if bringing him home means his death, we can’t.” Her eyes plead with him to understand, and I watch as his resolve waivers.

“We can hide him. Protect him,” Kai says, but the uncertainty in his voice gives him away.

“We can’t. You know we can’t,” Belle tells him, her voice soft.

“I want him back more than I want my next breath,” Mav says. “But we have to make sure it’s safe.”

My eyes flick to Jo’s just in time to see her quickly wipe a tear from her cheek before going back to rubbing Maverick’s back.

I clear my throat and turn my attention to Harrison. “So what’s with the Eva thing?”

“I don’t know for sure, and I’m hoping James’s journal has more answers, but it looks like there’s evidence showing she’s at least connected to the Bratva. So far, it seems like she got in with them when she was young. Probably a classic case of dealing drugs to survive. Her family was dirt poor.”

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