Page 89 of Vicious Intentions

In his hand was an oversized envelope. As he walked closer, my mother poured him a glass of lemonade. His usually hard expression softened as he sat down.

“Yes.”

The simple word was like a sledgehammer. “Go on.”

“Your name is Sage Winters. You are our biological daughter. Our only child.”

His voice was so quiet, I had to strain to hear him. “Okay. The accident. Was it the truth?”

“Yes,” my mother said quickly. “We didn’t lie to you. You were severely injured, but not in a swimming accident.”

“You didn’t lie to me? You mean other than about my name, my heritage, what happened, and why I have memory loss?” I heard the anger in my voice. Was it misguided? At this point, there was no way of knowing.

“Do not be angry with your mother! I forbid her to tell you. We were trying to protect you.” He was angrier than I’d seen him in years, but I also sensed fear. The man had been backed into a corner.

“By lying to me? Someone is determined I learn the truth one way or the other. I’d rather hear it from both of you. Please. Do you know what it’s like to go through life realizing a huge part of you is missing? Or to have nightmares every time I close my eyes?”

“We didn’t want that for you. We made certain the best doctors in the world looked at you.” My father sighed. “We need to tell her the truth, Connie.”

The two of them looked at each other lovingly. I knew how much they adored each other. It had been easy to see through the years.

“You weren’t supposed to be born,” my mother said quietly. “The doctor told us that we couldn’t have children. In a way, it was a relief given what your father did. I loved him and still do with all my heart. He tried to get me to fall in love with another boy, but we were drawn to each other from the beginning.”

Just like I felt around the three men. It was as if I’d always belonged to them.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was certain your father was going to be furious, but I’d never seen him so happy.” She laughed as if remembering the exact moment when she’d told him.

“Because of your job,” I said, hating the bitter sound in my voice.

“Yes. Having anyone in my life is dangerous, Sage. I warned your mother that our lives would never be easy or safe. However, we wanted to have you more than anything. You were our miracle, our special little girl.”

“Then why no pictures? Was there really a fire as you told me, or was that just another lie?”

A single tear slipped past my mother’s face. “No. We put them away. We were afraid you’d remember what happened the night of the accident.”

“Do you even know?”

They shared another silent communication. “Only part of what happened that night. We were left to pick up the pieces.”

Part of what happened. “So, you’re an assassin, Dad.”

He seemed shocked that I’d figured it out. “I’ve had a job to do that I’m very good at. However, I never wanted to put either you or your mother in harm’s way.”

“That didn’t answer the question.”

“How did you find out?” my mother asked.

“As I said, someone is doing their best to ensure that I learn the truth. They’ve sent me threatening text messages. Warnings. About you. About three men I care about. Everything is ready to explode in the open. Whatever happened the night I was injured is the reason.”

They exchanged another glance, and I sensed they both realized they’d been defeated.

“That’s why we didn’t want you in Chicago,” my mom said under her breath. She looked petrified.

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Very protected. However, I’m curious. Did you hire Jillian to follow me around?”

The look they shared was one of genuine surprise. “Who is Jillian?” Dad asked.

“My assistant.” So what Brett told me was true. Jillian had established the contact with the resort and arranged for the residency. No wonder she’d disappeared. She’d lied to me. Who was she working for? All the personal things I’d told her over the years. Had they gone directly to some unseen enemy?

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