Page 150 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I took a breath, “I asked mom if she knew who killed her.” Heath pressed, “And?” I said, “She said she did, and that we did too.” Heath stood and started to pace. He told me, “I’ve been looking outside the Shroud for their murderer. If we know them, then our families didn’t do it.” I whispered, “I know.”

Heath practically growled, “That means someone here killed our parents.” I agreed, “I know. I thought it was mom’s ex-boyfriend, but we don’t know him.” Heath countered, “That we know of. There was a big gap between when dad ruled our people and when I took over. Someone could’ve assumed another identity. Or he has the same damn identity, and we just don’t know who he is. No one knows who she was dating.”

I bitterly said, “Our grandfather does.” Heath sighed, “And someone has kept us all apart.” I frowned, “You think our family wanted us, and were kept from us?” Heath admitted, “Now I do. Everything lines up. I’m trying to find them and hitting walls everywhere.”

I didn’t feel as forgiving as him. They should’ve fought to be in our lives. I crossed my arms, “Well if they are following us, we can bait them. I’m being followed. I can have my guards drop back. Kincade and Kevin could tell them we wanted to talk.”

Heath disagreed, “You can’t drop your protection back like that. Not with people coming after you. Our family can wait. We’ve waited over a decade for them to step up.” I argued, “If they know the identity of mom’s ex-boyfriend that makes them important.”

Heath put a hand on my shoulder, “We’ve waited for justice for over a decade. They can wait until we get Noah and his stupid shit sorted.” I studied him, “You mean kill him.” Heath’s eyes hardened when he answered, “I do. Our mother’s ex should’ve been killed. If whoever he is comes for you now, then he’s dead. Noah will be dead as soon as I get my hands on him.” I sighed. Heath sat back down, and I opened my letter.

Lexi,

My sweet beautiful little girl. You have your mother’s heart and my stubbornness. You look just like your mother though. Thank god because she’s stunning. I need you to know that I love you. I remember when you were five you came home crying because someone was mad at you. Your mom jumped in the car with you, and of you went outside the Shroud for the very first time.

I was a nervous wreck the whole time you were gone. Heath called me a worry wart. You and your mother came home smiling. Neither of you would tell me what you did, but you told me you had the best day with your mom.

You have always been a strong stubborn little thing just like me, but I need you to trust your brother. Heath has good instincts. I need you to help him though. He’ll need your little spitfire self. Don’t let anyone ever put that fire out, Lexi. You are meant for great things.

The day will come when you forge your path outside our Shroud. Don’t be scared of that, my precious little girl. Your string is strong, and he can protect you. I would not part with you if he could not. You have such a big destiny in front of you. Just as Heath does. No one can take that from either of you.

Heath can be too like me sometimes and get too focused on the work. I needed your mother, and until he finds his string; he will need you. You two can handle anything if you are together. You two were always thick of thieves. The perfect blend of your mother and I in each of you.

You never fought as kids either. We always worried about that, but you didn’t. That’s rare, trust me. The bond you two share is beautiful. Never lose it. Be good to each other. I’ll be watching out for you both if you’re reading this. I’ll be the wind at your back, and the sun on your face. I love you, my beautiful little girl.

Love,

Daddy

I was crying so hard my hands were shaking. You could see the watermarks on the paper. My dad cried as he wrote this to me. I sobbed, “If he knew, why didn’t he listen to whoever was here that night? Why didn’t they listen, Heath? We could have just gone with the passports and disappeared. We could all be together!”

Heath rocked me back and forth, and I felt his tears on my shoulder. He whispered, “I don’t know, Lex. If you see mom again ask her.” I wiped my tears, “Same goes for you.” Heath changed the subject, “I think we split up the keys between us. Someone kept this stuff from us, and if they were to discover we found out they could try to steal them. I don’t want to lose them all.” I agreed with his logic.

He gave me three keys and kept three himself. I was determined to figure this out. I told him, “I’ll see if I can’t figure out what these go to.” Heath smiled, “On top of your business?” I nodded, “Yes, I can do this.” Heath told me, “I’m certain you can do anything you put your mind to.” I hugged him.

Heath told me, “Noel was very upset with himself about the attack at Ted’s pack.” I frowned, “He did a great job.” Heath nodded, “I agree. I’ll be sending him on missions.” I offered, “I’ll have his back if need be, Heath.” Noel felt like a brother to me. Heath smiled, “I know. He’s going on a mission on Thanksgiving. I’m not sending you with him, but you’ll be on call. If anything happens, I want you to get to him.”

I agreed, “I’ll do that. I know he’s kind of an ass, but I like him. He used to be such a sweet kid; I just don’t know what happened.” Heath laughed, “He does seem to be the more stable one of the family. I’m sure Noah happened. You and Noel were close as kids, and he probably didn’t like that.” That made me very sad for Noel and myself.

I asked, “Could Sally rejecting Noah really drive him insane?” Heath nodded, “Yes, they were together for three years. She might have been pulling back from him and was clearly no longer in love with him that doesn’t mean his feelings matched hers. Noah had no intention of letting her go even though he didn’t love her. I think this could crack him.” I scoffed, “He cracked long ago.” Heath disagreed, “Being cruel and cracking aren’t the same.”

I sighed, “I guess that’s true. I still hate him.” Heath laughed, “I wish Haley’s lightning show had killed him.” I nudged him, “Rest assured if Haley sees him again, he’ll die.” Heath laughed, “How very true. She’s never liked him, you know?”

I stood, “I know she was never subtle about it. I should get going so I don’t blow your cover of not being here.” I turned to leave then offered, “I can stay here with you. You’re not alone, I’m still here.” Heath assured me, “Next year, let’s do something together. I won’t hide away, and neither will you. Dad was right, we’ve always had a bond. We both pulled back unintentionally. In giving you your space, I let distance grow. In letting Noah close to me, I pushed you away. It was never my intention. I was trying to do what was best for you.”

I cringed, “I never intended to push you away. Noah was an integral piece of us both for a long time. I knew he was gone from my life because no matter what I’d never hurt Sally the way he wanted me to. It’s not me.” Heath said, “I know it’s not.”

I sighed, “I just wanted you to have your friend. As much as I didn’t want it to be, losing him felt like a gaping hole in me. I didn’t want you to have the same problem.” Heath smiled, “We tried to protect each other. There are worse things.” I acknowledged, “I know. I love you, Heath.” Heath smiled, “I love you too, Lex.” We hugged.

I tucked my dad’s letter into my pocket. I said, “Since you know about my string, maybe you can do dinner with Chase and I sometime at my place.” Heath was startled, “You’re going to invite me inside?” I raised an eyebrow, “If you promise not to try to come kidnap me and bring me home.”

Heath laughed, “Let’s start with the invitation inside and you and me having dinner. We can build to dinner with your string. It’s a big step for you, I know that.” I wanted to reassure him, “It’s not about you.”

Heath understood, “It was about Noah. I didn’t understand before, and I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt; it did. I get it though. We closed little doors on each other while staying in each other’s lives. I need to open doors with you too. I want to fix all of this between us, Lex.”

I smiled, “Then stop by my place sometime. I’ll bring you inside.” Heath hugged me, “I’ll never betray your trust.” I whispered, “I know.” Heath teased, “Especially since you’re inviting your brother in and not the Hood.” I laughed, “I can always lock the door.” Heath snorted, “That’s true, but I can pick it.” I winked, “I know.”

We hugged again for several moments. Heath said, “I’m so sorry that I didn’t see what had happened between you and Noah.” I acknowledged, “I didn’t want you to. For the millionth time.” Heath said, “I ignored my instincts. It felt off, but I just thought I was being a leader and not a big brother. I fucked up.” I disagreed, “No you didn’t. It’s not an illogical conclusion. All we can do is move forward.” Heath nodded. I left after reassuring myself everything was ok between us.

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