Page 84 of Unbreak Me
“I’m actually glad Ryder is here with you. I owe you both an apology.”
I sit back, surprised. That’s the last thing I expected him to say. I glance at Ryder, and he looks just as shocked as I do.
“When your dad died, they needed someone they could trust to take his place in the business. Our families knew each other, and your grandfather offered me a lot of money to marry your pregnant mom. He thought it would look less suspicious in my line of work if I had a nice little family at home.”
“And what exactly is your line of work?”
“They put me in place in big corporations, and I skim off the books. I’ve made millions through the years, and no one was the wiser.” He shrugs his shoulders like it was the easiest job in the world.
“About five years ago, though, I felt something was off. Your mother was getting greedier and greedier. She wanted me to take on more, and it became riskier. I tried to tell your grandfather that it was a mistake, but she had gotten into his head. His mind isn’t what it used to be, and with her being his only child, he will listen to whatever she tells him.”
“Wait. They have a good relationship?” I ask, confused.
“Well, as good as one can have with your grandfather. I don’t think anyone could get love out of that man, but when your dad died, your mom flipped a switch. She was all about learning the business and proving to your grandfather that she could handle it when he couldn’t do it anymore. She became as ruthless as him, maybe even more so.” His lip lifts at the corner when he sees my confusion. “Let me guess. She made your grandfather out to be the more evil one.”
“She told me he had my father killed,” I whisper.
“Is that right,” he chuckles. “When she got pregnant, she wanted to know if Ian really loved her for her or for her money, so she had your grandfather ask him. Unfortunately, he did choose the money, so your grandfather gave him what he offered and told him to leave. Your mother snapped and was furious with what he did. She ended up hiring someone to take care of him, and she kept the money herself.”
“She had him killed?” I can’t believe I’ve been fooled by her again.
“Your mother has been the one in charge for a very long time. When she got me transferred to Seattle, I had no choice but to go. She’s threatened me more times than I can count through the years that all it would take is one phone call, and I would end up like Ian.”
He looks at me, and for once, I see regret shining in his eyes. “I told her to just let you live your life but she insisted you come with us. She was determined to pull you into the business, and she knew if you were with Ryder, you would choose him over her. She fabricated this whole scenario to threaten his family because it was the only way to get you to leave. By this time, I was ready to walk, but I was already in too deep, and my hands were tied.”
Ryder’s face fills the screen next to me as he stares into my father’s eyes. His jaw ticks from the tension. “You were the onlydad she’s ever known,” his voice is low but there is no mistaking the underlying anger. “It’s your job to protect and love her, even at the expense of your own life. You chose the coward’s way out, and your daughter suffered for it.Wesuffered for it.” I reach for his hand, and he grips it tightly.
My father is silent as he holds his gaze. I hold my breath, not sure where this will go. He blinks, and I briefly see sadness in his eyes before he composes himself. “You’re right. I’ve failed in every aspect as a father. I was a greedy, selfish bastard, and it was easier to keep Eve at a distance than it was for me to let her in. I saw the way she slowly died every day she was apart from you. Ryland was the only thing that could make her smile, and even then, it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew her mother was never going to let me walk away, and I didn’t want that for Eve or Ryland. That’s why I left the thumb drive out for Eve to find.” He says the last part, so quietly I almost didn’t catch it.
“What? You knew I was working with the FBI?” I ask, shocked.
“You started acting really suspicious. I could tell you were lying when your mother would ask you where you were, so I followed you one day. I saw, who I now know as Agent Davis, get in your car to talk to you. I was curious, so I put a recording device under your seat and listened in on the next meeting. I learned they really weren’t after me but wanted who I was working for. I knew it was my way out for the both of us.”
“But you’re in prison now for years. I don’t understand.”
“I had to keep up my little charade with your mother and make it look like I was still on her side, but I’ve been working with them since the moment they arrested me. Agent Davis couldn’t tell you all of this because the investigation was still ongoing. It was better if everyone thought I was going to rot in prison for the rest of my life. I’ve helped them put away a lot of men on your mother’s payroll. I’m not the only puppet yourmother had the strings, too. I’m just the unlucky one that had to be married to her.” His lips quirk up briefly in an attempt at a smile.
“So mother…”
“Won’t ever be a problem for you again. She’s going to hate the outfits. They are so unflattering, and she’s always hated the color orange.” His voice has a hint of amusement before getting serious again. “I know it doesn’t make up for what I’ve done to you both, but I really hope it can provide you with some peace, knowing you don’t have to worry about her. If I could go back, I would have done things differently, but Ryder was right. I was a coward. I let the power and greed get to me.” He looks at Ryder and nods to him. “I’m glad she has you. After everything she’s gone through, she deserves to be with someone who loves her and makes her happy. Take care of her and Ryland.”
“Always,” he says without hesitation.
My father turns to look at me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the dad you deserved. I’ve got a lot of things to work on once I get out of here in a couple of years. Maybe one day, I can work on being the dad and grandpa I should have been.”
“Maybe,” I whisper, blinking back the tears. It’s as close as I’ve felt to love coming from him. It’s going to take some time for me to let him in fully, but it’s a small start for us both.
Ryland’s gigglesfill the air as I push her higher on the baby swing. I laugh as the wind catches her auburn curls and sends them flying.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve talked to my father. Agent Davis confirmed everything he said. They were able to take down my mother’s little operation she had going, and when she arrived in New York for business, they were waiting for her at thegates. She’ll be put away for a very long time, thanks to all the information my father gave them.
Part of me is sad for the young woman who got her heart broken. I’ll always wonder how different my life would have been if she had been strong enough to let go of the pain and focus on the love she had right in front of her…me. I’m mostly relieved, though. We no longer have to worry about her showing up and causing us any more problems. Everything is finally in the past, and I’m right where I should have been all along.
I feel Ryder’s arms come around me from behind, and I smile.
“Hi, beautiful.” He nuzzles my neck and kisses my ear. “How are my girls doing today?” He rubs his hand over my round belly before giving Ryland another push.
We decided to keep the baby's sex a surprise. Ryder insists that we are having another girl, but I have a feeling this one is a boy. “Your girls andsonare doing amazing. Ryland and I spent the day in the pool, and your son has been kicking up a storm today. I swear there’s not an ounce of room left in there for him. I feel every single little movement. Montgomery men are huge, so I’m mentally preparing myself for this birth,” I laugh.
