Page 35 of Wandering Souls

Chapter Seven

Large hands rubbedAbi’s back and big, muscular arms held her against a solid chest. The embrace comforted, supported, protected—all the things she’d longed for her entire life. His cologne smelled like the forest, with hints of nature and a dash of spice that tickled her nose. Against her ear, his heart beat rapidly through the wall of his chest and the warmth of his body filled her like nothing ever had but it was an illusion.

Abi pushed against him to put some space between them. Confusion clouded his eyes as she took a step backward and disconnected them. Part of her lamented the loss of contact but a lifetime of longing didn’t mean he was the father she needed.

“Abigail?”

She shook her head and wiped her sweaty palms down her jeans. “I’m sorry.”

He took a breath and nodded, acceptance softening his features. “You haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no need to apologize.”

Her heart pounded inside her chest, short circuiting her lungs and leaving her struggling for air. A dizzy spell left her lightheaded and she moved to sit on the wooden bench by the window. To his credit, Damien didn’t move though she could tell he wanted to.

He looked at her like he’d won the lottery and, on some level, she thought she understood. The chances of finding him alive were between none and zero and yet here he stood, well and seemingly wanting to comfort her.

“I don’t understand how you can be alive. You were killed in a shooting.”

“That is what I wanted the world to believe, yes.”

Abi felt herself hyperventilating but couldn’t control it. The need for understanding outweighed any thought of being reasonable. “What happened? Where did you go? Why did you do it?”

“Hey,” he rushed forward, kneeling before her. “Please try to calm down. I will tell you everything, but right now, you look like you’re going to pass out.”

Abi gripped the wooden seat under her thighs and took a deep breath. She held the air in her lungs for a four count before slowly letting it back out. She’d used the technique hundreds of times over the years. Every time she had to fly into a hot zone turned her into a nervous wreck, and the few times she’d heard rockets whistle over the base had scared the life out of her. Each time, the deep breathing helped her keep a level head.

The only difference was, she hadn’t had her father staring at her with compassion. His understanding helped.

“It’s a complicated story, Abi, and begins long before you were born. Do you know anything of your birth mother?”

She swallowed to loosen her throat. “Only that she gave me up to keep me safe.”

He smiled and nodded. “True. You see, her mother had an affair with a very powerful man who would never have let her into this world, if he’d known about the pregnancy. Your mother was terrified he or his family would come after us. To keep us all safe, she faked her death and disappeared. She didn’t know she was pregnant with you and when she found out, she made the choice to put you up for adoption so you would be safe.”

“What about you?”

A blush colored his cheeks and he scratched his head. “After her death, I kept investigating her father’s family, which attracted their attention. It put your sister in danger, so Idiedand had her put in witness protection. They gave her a new identity.”

Her thoughts drifted to Stevie, the sister she’d known as Hope. Obviously, the obituary she’d read had been planted and Abi couldn’t help but wonder if she’d need to forge a new identity because of everything he spoke of.

“The threat is gone,” he explained, his voice soft. “You’re not in any danger here.”

Abi rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly capable of getting myself into trouble without anyone’s help.”

Shock lined his face for a moment. “Like father, like daughter.”

Hearing him say the words she’d thought before alleviated some of the tension in her shoulders. One minute she had no family, and the next... her stomach cramped and the mix of emotions in her chest was hard to untangle.

“When did you learn about me?”

Rising, he took a seat beside her on the bench. “A couple of months ago, after I found your mum.” He blinked. “Is it okay if I call her that? Or should I refer to her as Penny? You probably called Margery Mum.”

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