Page 49 of Ensnared By Silence
Chapter 17
Aubrey
Ilooked up at my formerboss, someone who I considered to be a friend, and was confused why he was standing in the middle of my motel room.
“How did you find me?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and sitting on the edge of the bed.
James turned to me and smiled sadly before moving to the single chair near the window. Sitting down, he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Finding people is my business. You didn’t think we were going to let you disappear without a trace, did you?”
His tone was calm, but his eyes were thunderous, and I worried he was going to drag me back to Pierce Bluff.
“Am I in danger from you?” I asked, my voice shaky as I tried to muster up as much strength as I could. I knew from Elise and Amaya that the Callahan brothers could be deadly if crossed.
“Why would you be in danger, Aubrey? We’re your family and we’re worried about you. Would you tell me what made you run?” he asked, his voice calm, and I swallowed thickly, remembering the fear that threatened to drag me under.
I stared at my hands, not wanting to think about the pain and betrayal that filled me. “I trusted Hayden to protect me, and he was playing me the whole time. I decided it was better to leave since he was your friend. I’m not worth the hassle.”
“I never want to hear you say that about yourself again,” he said, his voice deep with a harshness I could see lurking in his eyes.
I looked up at the determination on his face, and I had to ask, “Why do you even care, James? I mean, no offense, but why in the world would you come all this way for someone you barely know?”
He sighed and leaned back in the rickety chair as he pursed his lips. Finally, he spoke, and I was not prepared for what he had to say. “We got the results of your DNA test back and we found a relative.”
I sat confused for a moment and shrugged, not caring one way or another. I was better off alone, that way no one could hurt me. The only family I ever knew treated me like a piece of garbage, so I would automatically keep any new relatives at arm’s length out of precaution.
James looked me directly in the eyes as he spoke. “Aubrey, I know you’ve had a rough time throughout your life, and you have every right to be cautious and leery of people’s intentions.” His gaze softened, but I could sense how on edge he was. “I know what it’s like to be abandoned by a mother and mistreated by the people who are supposed to take care of you. I know what it’s like not to trust anyone and to always be on guard for the next trauma.”
I looked at the man who took a chance on me, giving me a job, a home, and an actual life, and for the first time, I could see the pain he kept locked behind the anger and rage in his green eyes.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” I replied and glanced down at the dirty carpet.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t know what you were going through.”
My gaze met his and I looked at him with confusion. “How could you have known? I only met you a few months ago.”
He reached into his blue jeans pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Reaching out, he handed it to me and watched me as I took it from him. “Please, look at that. I know you’re raw from whatever made you run yesterday, but I needed you to see this. To see that you’re not alone.”
With trembling hands, I opened the folded paper and saw it was my DNA results. I never thought there would be anyone out there for me, and as I read the document, my eyes grew watery and my throat grew thick. I tried to speak but couldn’t get the words out of my mouth as I read and re-read the conclusion.
Relative Match: James Bronson Callahan
Certainty of Relationship to Half-Sibling: 100%
I looked up to see his green eyes sparkling with unshed tears, eyes that looked like mine, and I stood from the bed with James mirroring my actions. My eyes went back to the paper in my hands and then back to him.
To James.
My boss.
My friend’s husband.
My brother.
“I have a brother,” I whispered, and my voice broke as the tears fell down my cheeks. Looking up at him again, I said, “You’re . . . you’re my brother.”
He pulled me into a hug, and I wrapped my arms around his waist as I sobbed into his chest. I had a family, someone who wanted me, and I let the years of pain and loneliness bleed from me as I felt his tears fall onto my shoulder. Finally, he pulled back and discreetly wiped his eyes as I stepped back from him.
