Page 21 of The Perfect Escape
“Wait… my father?”
“Reyna, you have to understand, I didn’t know any of this when we first met. I was certain that Rui Salko was your father. It was only through intel we received from your father that we found out the truth.”
“Who is he? Who is my father?” Reyna’s eyes studied mine as she waited for an answer.
“Giles Braxton Curtis.” I had a sour taste on my tongue as I enunciated his name. “The social worker who was assigned to your case years ago was his sister.”
As though reality hit, Reyna’s shoulders faltered in defeat. “Are you telling me that Mrs. Crabby-pants is actually my aunt?”
“If you are referring to Margaret Curtis, then yes, she would be your aunt.” I’d had no idea how Reyna felt about Margaret, but with her name reference, it was clear she disliked her.
The room remained silent for a moment until Reyna spoke, “I think Rui Salko may have bought my mom.”
She was right, but I couldn’t go there just yet. I had to tell her about her father and how he and Louise met. “Reyna.” Her name rolled off my lips with resignation as I moved next to her and took a seat. When her attention focused on me, I continued with the truth. “I know about the things done to your mom, but more importantly, you need to know that your father saved her. Your father worked for Salko. During your father’s employment, he fell in love with your mom. Giles Curtis was the one who staged your mom’s death. It was the only way he knew to keep her safe. If Rui thought she was dead, there would be no reason for him to look for her.”
“Rui knows Giles Curtis. He knows my father is alive. Rui said he took something of his, and that was why he took me. For revenge.” Reyna’s voice was barely audible when she responded with information that confirmed the very reason I didn’t trust Curtis.
I composed myself before saying anything else to her. Maybe telling her about Gwen needed to wait. For now, there was no reason to tell her how I came into her life. If she knew I planned on using her as a pawn to draw Salko out of hiding, she would never forgive me. “Do you know what your father took?”
“No, but it had to be valuable to take me in exchange.”
Placing my hand on Reyna’s cheek, I knew the information I shared with her, no matter how she tried to remain strong, affected her emotionally. The tears that settled in her eyes that she was desperately holding back confirmed it. “Reyna, I will never let anything happen to you, but you have to let me protect you.”
Nodding her head, the tears she was trying so hard to hold back fell. When she lifted her head, the pain ripped through her as she swallowed hard and bit back her sobs. “There is something else, Davian.”
Whatever it was, it tore her apart. She had to know that no matter what, it wouldn’t change anything. “Whatever it is, we will get through it.”
“Rui Salko and I are married.”
My body became numb. Had I heard her correctly? “Did you just say that you and that bastard are married?”
Reyna’s confession was the movement of her head up and down. I saw fire, and the calm person I was a few seconds was gone. I picked up the crystal glass from the low table and flung it against the window facing the ocean. Instead of worrying about the mess I caused, I moved toward the sideboard to pour myself another drink. I should have comforted Reyna. By the time I realized my reaction to something that was Salko’s doing, she was gone.
Placing the half-filled glass down, I knew I needed to find Reyna more than I needed a drink. She didn’t deserve the way I reacted. It seemed like, lately, I was taking out my frustrations through undeserved responses to those closest to me.
Get a grip, Davian.
Chasing after Reyna, I caught up to her before she got to the stairs. I stopped short of where she was standing. “Reyna, wait. You didn’t deserve that.”
Reyna turned to face me with her eyes filled with tears. “It’s not that. I feel like I have no control over my life. My marriage to Rui was fabricated, but I don’t know how to prove it. He showed me the marriage certificate.”
It was clear the so-called marriage was tormenting Reyna to no end. Salko not only abused her physically, he also mentally abused her. Not in a million years could I understand what she went through, but damn if I wouldn’t be with her every step of the way to figure this out, and make it go away. Consumed with emotion, I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her. “Reyna, you don’t need to do anything. Money can buy a lot of things, even the truth. Salko will not get away with this.”
Unable to hold Reyna like this for over three weeks had seemed like years. Drawn to her scent, I pressed my nose to her hair. An uncontrollable need came over me unlike anything I had ever felt. Lifting her from the floor, I moved away from the stairs and walked down the glass corridor that led to the addition I had built five years ago. Reyna nestled her head against my neck, and I could feel her soft breath against my chest.
I held her close as I pushed open the door to the master suite with the toe of my shoe. It was only when I crossed the threshold that I carefully set her down. Kicking the door closed behind me, even in her current state with her mascara running down her face and her eyes red, stricken with grief, she was the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. “You’re so beautiful, princess. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she softly admitted as her eyes burned deep into mine, almost as if she read my thoughts.
Never could I love a woman as much as I loved her.
~15~
Reyna
I stared at Davian as though I had forgotten how beautiful he was. Every line of his handsome face, I studied, memorizing every feature and the way they came together. How his chiseled jaw under his unshaven face, which was sexy and a great look on him, showed power and confidence that I truly loved. His brilliant blue eyes I loved so much, which undeniably matched the color of the ocean glistening through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me.
The texture of his hand on my cheek brought me back as he leaned in and placed his mouth over mine. His kiss I would never forget. If I ever lost my memory, his kiss was one I would hold on to.
