Page 136 of The Protégé

“Tell me,” Orion said.

“Perhaps he wanted to help me uncover the truth that day when I visited Mona at the café. She saw his ghost near me. Now I understand why.”

“He was guiding his daughter.” Orion dropped an arm around me. “He has a treasure box that you should have. It’s in his apartment in Providence. I haven’t been there, but I have a key.”

My eyes flicked to his. “Did you steal the key?”

A smirk curved on his lips. “I wouldn’t do that to my teacher. I’ve always had access to his apartment, but never needed to go there.”

“Okay,” I said. I had so many questions for my mother.

Orion also mentioned that The Condor was happy when he saw the stolen brooch. My father had been watching over me all these years. Part of me was angry that he didn’t come to sayhello. But then what would’ve happened to the father I grew up with?

My head hurt just thinking about all the what-ifs.

I got to know The Condor—his character, his intentions, his compassion—because I’d been investigating his case. He wasn’t estranged from me.

I looked up at the sky, wondering if he was there watching over me.

Life was so complicated with all the little details and detours. Of all the people I could fall in love with, I fell for my father’s protégé.

My thoughts ebbed and flowed as I looked out to the sea. “I understand now.”

“Understand what?”

“That someone could easily snap under this kind of pressure. It’s like a massive earthquake that just turned your life inside out. The life you once knew has a completely different landscape now.” I slouched against the cushion.

“But you have an awareness that most people don’t.” He hugged me tighter. “You’re already steps ahead, Sunshine.”

Silence blanketed us as we sat there just appreciating each other’s presence. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but when I looked over, Orion was staring at the sand incontemplation.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked him.

He looked down at me with a warm smile.“Thinking about you. About how you’re absorbing the news.”

I just fell into a deep chasm of myself and was trying to find the energy to crawl back up. But I didn’t want him to worry about me. He had plenty on his mind.

“I’m going to need some time to let things settle, you know?”

“It’s understandable. Your life just completely changed. It’s going to take time to adjust and adapt. I know that you’llfind your solution.” Gray eyes settled onto mine. “Pablo was a fantastic man. I was lucky to have him as my mentor. I believe what he did was done out of love.”

“The investigation showed me his character.” I let out a laugh. “I guess I’m surrounded by thieves—The Roc, The Condor, and The Raven.”

He grinned. “Now there’s also The Robin. That’syou. You’ve learned from me, so I can give you an alias.” He kissed the top of my head. “You’re one of us now.”

I sat up. “I only broke intoonehouse, and I have no intention of breaking into any more. What’s the significance of The Robin?”

“The robin symbolizes change, hope, happiness, renewal, and good luck. You’re all of those things for me.”

“Do you always know the right things to say?” I pinchedhis cheek playfully.

“It’s easy to speak the truth.” He pinched my cheek back. “I’m being honest.”

“Thank you.” I hugged him, appreciating everything he’d done for me.

I wasn’t angry at anyone, just sad that life had to happen this way. The unexpected turns that shocked a person. I never got to meet my biological father, and I wondered what our relationship would’ve been like if we had known each other.

He pulled me into his arms. “Let’s take a walk along the shore. The exercise and the fresh air will make you feel better.”

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