Page 135 of The Protégé

“I see something in your eyes.”

“I have something to tell you.” He took my hand in his warm palm. “Let’s have a seat.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

ELENA

The dreadin my stomach churned. I should be used to surprises by now.

Orion took me out to a beautiful patio with comfortable outdoor furniture and décor. The breathtaking view of the beach relaxed me, making me think the night sky would look spectacular from here.

He walked over to the outdoor kitchen area and opened the refrigerator that looked high tech. “Would you like some lemonade?”

“Sure.” I hoped the drink would settle the erratic nerves.

What did he need to tell me?

Orion brought over two glasses of lemonade and sat down on the cushioned couch beside me. “What do you know about Reid?”

“He’s the owner of Wild Roots. Great person to work with. He treats his employees with respect. My mom has worked for him for years. Reid is a big reason why she continues to volunteer there after retirement. Why do you ask?”

“Reid is my brother-in-arms, also known as The Raven. He’s retired now from the art. I didn’t know he knew you or your mom until the day of the fire.”

Nerves rippled low in my stomach. Being with Orion had allowed me to see the multiple layers within everything. Nothing was as simple as it seemed to be.

“Is it a coincidence that we know him? Or is there something else behind the scenes?”

“Reid was asked to watch over you and your mom.”

“By whom?” I placed a hand over my stomach as nerves fluttered.

“Your biological father Pablo Toledo, The Condor.”

The statement dropped into my lap like a boulder, and I sucked in a breath from the power of it. My heart stopped beating. My world and everything I knew about my life tipped over, pouring out like water from a bottle.

I didn’t know what to say or ask. Confusion and questions bubbled in my head.

When I finally allowed my body to calm, two questions came out on their own accord. “How is this possible? Why didn’t she say anything to me?”

“I believe she wanted to protect you,” Orion said. “Pablo’s enemies were after him when your mom was pregnant. She thought he’d died. In a way he had. When he escaped, he lived life under the radar. He didn’t want his enemies knowing he had a family. Your mom married Mateo, who didn’t mind that she was pregnant with another man’s baby. He loved you both.”

I needed to talk to my mother. I didn’t know how to respond to all this. She could’ve told me, right? But I knew myself. If she’d told me I’d have wanted to know more details, then investigate, turning over things that could’ve brought on trouble for the family.

I understood this, but still, I wished I’d known earlier.

Silence hung between us for a while, and Orion didn’t interrupt my thoughts as I tried to process all of this.

“Who were Pablo’s enemies? The Trogyn?”

Orion nodded.

When I was born, I was already roped into this dangerous world. I couldn’t know my parents’ exact emotions and concerns, but I knew they loved me. And Pablo—my father—loved me and my mom in his own way.

That was enough, right?

He’d chosen to live beside us, watching over us. That was a sacrifice that deserved gratitude and respect. Had he been happy? Were there lonely moments he’d wished he had a family with him?

Thoughts flowed across my mind, and one came to the forefront. “I think his spirit visited me when I was investigating his case.”

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