Page 51 of Dangerous Lies

Tears shimmered in his dad’s eyes. “He was such a loving child. Always happiest when we were all together. And I realized I was dishonoring his memory by letting my anger and my hurt drive a wedge between us.” He laid a hand on Wesley’s shoulder but kept his gaze locked on Jax. “I’m sorry, boys. I was so lost in my grief that I didn’t take the time to think about what either of you was going through. As your father, it’s my job to guide you. We should have faced this tragedy together.”

Wesley’s jaw clenched, his throat working as if he was fighting back tears. Jax felt his own emotions rising, stinging his eyes.

Valentina wiped at her tears and then straightened, her voice firm. “So, from here on out, we act like a family.” She pinned her sons and her husband with a stern look. “Sunday—church. Then lunch afterward.”

Jax and Wesley nodded in unison. “Yes, ma’am.”

A warm smile broke across Valentina’s face, chasing away the sadness like sunlight through storm clouds. “Jax, this Sunday, it should just be us. But I’d like for you to bring Megan the following week.” She reached for Greg’s hands as he rejoined her on the couch. “We have an apology to make. I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive us.”

Jax’s heart swelled. It was more than he had hoped for. “I’m pretty sure she already has.”

The meeting ended with tight embraces and quiet I-love-yous. When Jax stepped outside into the afternoon sunshine, he felt lighter than he had in years. Birds chirped from the branches of the old oak tree. A squirrel darted across the grass.

Wesley followed him onto the driveway, halting beside Jax’s rental SUV. He tucked his hands into the pockets of his worn blue jeans. “So you and Megan, huh?”

Jax leaned against the rental. His vehicle was likely totaled, riddled with too many bullet holes to be salvaged, but the insurance company would make the final call later this week. “Yeah.” He exhaled, glancing at his brother. “Listen, Wesley, I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t.” Wesley shook his head sharply. “I’ve been thinking a lot since the meeting in Chief Garcia’s office, too. You were right.” He hesitated, as if the admission cost him something. “Since I got home, I’ve been distant. I don’t feel… like myself. I don’t know if I ever will. But that shouldn’t stop me from being part of this family.”

Jax’s posture softened. “We care about you.”

“I know.” A ghost of a smile flickered across Wesley’s face before he threw a playful punch at Jax’s uninjured shoulder. “You realize that once you bring Megan home for Sunday lunch, Mom’s gonna start planning your wedding. She can’t help herself.”

Jax laughed, but his heart thumped a little harder at the thought. A wife. Kids. It had always felt far off in the distance. But now… he could almost see it. Still, he didn’t need his mother dropping hints every five minutes. “Let’s not jump the gun. We still have to get through the first Sunday lunch.”

Wesley shrugged. “It’ll be fine. Later, bro.” He started toward his truck, but Jax called after him. Wesley turned back. “Yeah?”

“There’s an informal veterans’ support group that meets regularly. I think you know some of the guys—Jason Gonzalez?”

“Yeah, I know him.”

“It might be good to go. Talking with people who’ve been through the same things you have could help.”

Wesley stared off into the distance for a long moment. “I’ll think about it.”

It wasn’t a yes, but it also wasn’t a no. Jax would take it.

He lifted a hand in farewell as Wesley climbed into his truck, then slid into his own vehicle. For the first time in years, he felt something close to peace.

Then, finally, he let the excitement settle in—the realization of what he truly wanted. He was in love. He wanted a future with Megan. And after this conversation with his family, for the first time, it seemed possible.

It was time to set things right with the woman of his dreams.

TWENTY-EIGHT

A breeze rippled across the lake, sending gentle waves lapping against the dock and lifting strands of Megan’s hair. Ducks swam lazily past, gliding over the water’s shimmering surface. Sunshine warmed her shoulders. Across the yard, her grandparents’ voices drifted in easy conversation as they debated where to plant the tomatoes for their garden. She smiled at the sound of Nana’s laugh.

They were happy. The threats were over, the criminals locked up. All was right in the world.

Almost, anyway.

As she had so many times in the past week, Megan thought of Jax. They’d spoken a few times. She’d visited him in the hospital. But neither of them had brought up their future. She understood, without him telling her, that he needed space. Love didn’t fix everything. Their history was complicated, tangled up in grief and old wounds. And even if—and it was a big if—they pursued a relationship, it would affect Jax’s family.

They might never accept her.

Megan had made peace with that. If Jax walked away, she would be gracious. It would shatter her heart, but she would never come between him and the people he loved. The Taylors had endured enough loss.

The scrape of a boot against the dock cut through her thoughts. A long shadow fell over her, momentarily blocking out the sun. Megan’s heart skipped a beat. Any bravery she’d been building crumbled the second she met Jax’s gaze.

---