Page 93 of Shattered Dreams

“Yeah. Clayton was selling weapons to other countries to help them go to war against us if President Williams didn’t do what Rourke wanted him to do. Rourke was conspiring with Vice President Andrews to keep trade open between us and China, and the president wanted it restricted to keep jobs here in the States. Companies like ours and Clayton’s depend on exporting and importing, and it could have cost us billions in revenue if the president had gotten his way and the bill passed.”

“What happened?”

“President Williams took the war threat seriously and killed the bill, but by then, Max knew our parents’ deaths were a coverup, and he started investigating. Clayton and Ash were arrested, and Rourke promised them he would continue the development of the dementia drug and use it to manipulate the president into giving them pardons for their crimes. Eventually, they were going to discredit the president and force him out of office. Vice President Andrews promised Rourke he would be his running mate when he ran for re-election.”

“But then Gage finally took care of Max’s estate and started going through what Max left him,” I say.

“Yeah, and the fact that Gage is Rourke’s stepson made it that much worse for Rourke.”

“What do you mean?”

“Gage fell in love with you, and you started spending a lot of time together. They needed to resume the trials and wanted to continue with you because you had the favorable reactions they were looking for. That’s why Jerricka was telling you to date other people. She didn’t want you and Gage together. Gage and Linc kept snooping around, investigating the deaths of those other women, and it made Rourke nervous. They were desperate and fucked up when Jerricka convinced you to go with her. We never would have let you disappear like that.”

I sigh and slide Zane’s tie between my fingers. “Rourke was one of my jobs.”

“He confessed to all of it. He’s going to get a lot of years in prison for the things he’s done.”

“How’s Gage handling it?”

Zane looks away. “He’s been keeping an eye on his mother. Whenever I call, he never answers. I’ve left him messages, letting him know how you are and that the antidote was working, but he never calls back.”

My heart cracks. “He doesn’t want me anymore.”

“I don’t know, Z. He never said that.”

Lifting my chin, I say, “I’ll figure it out. I need my phone. I want to hold a press conference.”

“Are you sure?”

“I want the whole world to know I’m back.”

“And then what?”

With more bravado than I feel, I say, “I’m Zarah Maddox, and I always get what I want.”

Zane brushes his thumb over my cheek. “That wouldn’t be a man who has tattoo sleeves and a dog named Baby, would it?”

“I can’t live without him,” I whisper.

“Then be prepared to fight and prove it to him.”

I nod. “Until I’m down on my knees and I can’t take it anymore.”

A shadow drifts across my brother’s eyes. “He loves you, Z, but remember, love doesn’t always erase the past.”

“What are you talking about?”

He lifts a corner of his mouth. “Nothing. I’m glad you’re okay.”

I hug him tightly, a flutter of worry in my heart. I don’t know what he meant, and I’m scared that soon I’m going to find out. “Me too.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Gage

Imiss her like a son of a bitch, but I force myself to keep my distance. Zane told me where she’s recovering, but I don’t drive out to the bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the city. Call me a coward, and you’d be right. I can’t face it if she doesn’t want me to be a part of her new life.

Jerricka Solis wasn’t right about much, but she was right about this. Let her go, and if it’s meant to be, she’ll find her way back. She’ll remember every single thing that happened since Clayton Black killed her parents. The men who abused her. Her years in Quiet Meadows. The time she spent at the Crowne while Zane, Stella, and the others made plans to take down the Blacks. She’ll remember Max and how good he was to her.

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