Page 56 of Forever Mine

“I know, I know. And you can do this, sweetheart. You are so much stronger than you know.”

She nodded, but I knew she was borderline hysterical.

“Ready?” I asked, as she shook her head no. I tried to give her an encouraging smile as I dialed the number again.

“Hello?” I heard Cora Collier say again over the phone. “Hello?” she said a little harsher when we didn't immediately respond.

I watched Maddie staring at the phone with tears running down her cheeks. It was clear to me that she wasn't going to speak right away. Which put it all on me. I couldn't completely protect her from this, but I could help as much as she needed.

“Mrs. Collier? This is Liam Westin.”

“Liam,” she said, clearly surprised. “What can I do for you? Is everything okay with your family? Is your mother okay?”

“Never better, and she is fine, thanks for asking.” I pulled Madelyn into my arms as she continued to cry softly.

“I'm surprised to hear from you, especially at this hour. Is there something I can do for you?”

“Actually I need to speak with both you and Zach. Would it be possible for him to come to the phone? Perhaps you could put me on speaker so the both of you can hear,” I advised.

I knew Zach Collier well. He was a tall, stoic man, with a quiet, commanding manner. I liked him a lot. Over the last year since working with Westin Foundation I had had the opportunity to really get to know him. Collier Pack had unanimously agreed to invest in Westin Foundation and we had spent months working closely on the details.

“Hello? Liam?” Zach Collier's deep voice came through the phone, filled with concern.

“Hi, Zach,” I said.

“Cora said you needed to speak with the both of us? Is everything okay with your family?”

“Yes, sir, they are all fine.”

“And the investment? Did something happen?”

“No, sir. I promise your money is safe with me. This isn't a business call. It's personal.”

“What's going on, Liam?” Cora asked.

I looked down to find Maddie staring at the phone, lost inside herself.

“There's really no easy way to tell you both this. I suppose I should start with letting you know, I found my true mate.”

“Oh, Liam, that's fantastic!” she gushed. “I know your mother must be so relieved.”

“That's great news, son, but you didn't need to call us for that. I would have seen the announcement come out.”

“Well, that's a bit complicated still,” I laughed.

“Mating always is, but so worth it in the end.” Cora said.

I could hear the love in her voice, and knew she was thinking of her own mate, not mine.

“Wait, is she from Collier Pack? Is that what this is about?” Zach questioned.

“Actually, she is, or was. Is,” I finally decided.

“Come again?” he asked.

I took a deep breath and let it out. There really was no easy way to say this, so I just blurted it out. “It's Maddie. My one true mate is Maddie. Your daughter, and I've found her.”

Madelyn's eyes flew to mine, larger than I'd ever seen them. I gave her an uncertain face and shrugged. I didn't know how else to say it. There truly is no way to say, “Hey, remember that daughter of yours that ran away and was presumed dead? Yeah, she's here and she's my mate!”

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