Page 17 of Extraction
“Nah, that was all Doc Roberts.” She beamed as she stood. “I’m going to go get some coffee, and you’re going to read.”
“Actually,” I moved to block her path, “could you stay? I mean, I’m not trying to make it awkward for you, but I really don’t want to read this alone.” I picked it up and handed it to her.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I spent a decade living a lie down in Mexico, I couldn’t share any of my real thoughts or show who I really was. All those, ah, vulnerable moments and the like. I had no one I could trust. I missed my brothers here, and it wrecked me to know they thought I was dead. Since I’ve been back among my family—” I cleared the lump from my throat. “Well, let’s just say, now that I’ve got a son, I need to start opening myself up to people, and I want to start with this.”
“All right, then.” She sat back down, and I eased myself onto the sofa. “But if you want me to stop, just say the word.”
“Yeah.” I waved at her to begin. She ripped the side, blew a breath to separate the paper, and slid it out.
“Bear with me. It’s a mix of English and Spanish.” I knew Ty had been helping teach her some Spanish. She was quite good at it already. She had this.
“Eric, not to sound cliché, but if you’re reading this letter, it means something has happened to me. It also means I can tell you the truth. I have entrusted Grim with this letter, and I know he will do as I asked. First and foremost, I’m sure he told you that he and I were never anything but good friends. He helped build a barrier between me and my family. My parents are not who they were when I was young. The vast corruption that blankets our beloved home has its claws in them now. I barely recognize them anymore.
“I had planned on leaving and forging my own path, but my heart was always with you. I always knew there was something different about you, but I could never put my finger on it. Maybe that was what drew me to you in the first place. I could see a goodness inside that heart you so desperately hid from others. I know now you pushed me away to protect me from whatever it was you were hiding.
“Which brings me to this. That night in the bar, on our last night together, we created something incredibly special. We will have a child, Eric. I don’t know what sex it is, but our baby should be here sometime in April.
“If something has truly happened to me, please, Eric, you must save our child from the Cartel life. I beg you with all my heart to do this. I’m going to believe that the man I knew would die to save his own child from such a path. So, here is what you need to know. A copy of the baby’s birth records will be left here.” Ivy turned the handwritten letter around to show me there was an address. “Up until the baby is born, I’ll be living with my cousin from grade school, then my best friend, Selena, in Mexico City, but after I deliver, we’re moving to Tabasco. But if I think we’re in danger, I’ll head to my favorite place. Remember that trip we took when we first met, and we stayed with the one-winged dragon? That’s where I’ll go.”
I saw Ivy glance over at me, but I shrugged as I desperately tried to pull up that old memory. It just didn’t want to show itself.
“Eric, it is my heart’s wish that our child will be kept out of the Cartel world. The baby will have a much better life with you. You need to get to our child before my parents do. This baby will be the first and only grandchild for them, so you know what that means. It also means there will be others who would take pleasure in getting hold of our child for their own terrible reasons. You must get there first!
“I’m so sorry we could never be together, you and me. How sad life allowed us to meet, only to continually rip us apart. At least something wonderful came from our love. Give our baby a life full of adventure, love, and safety. It’s up to you now.
“Forever yours, Talya.”
Ivy reached for a tissue and dabbed her eyes while my panic for time started to set in.
“Oh, Paul. She really loved you and sacrificed so much so that someday you could have a relationship with your child. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.”
I sniffed and quickly dried my own tears with the back of my hand. I grieved the loss of Talya all over again. My heart wanted to slam that door shut, but I couldn’t because I had a son to save.
“I think Cole should see this.” Ivy pointed a soft pink painted fingernail to the addresses scribbled on the bottom of the letter.
“Yes, he does need to see it.” Filled with a sense of urgency, I jumped to my feet and took the letter she held out. “Thanks, Ivy.”
“Thank you, Paul, for letting me in to share this with you. It’s a big step.”
“I’ve gotta go.”
“Yes, you do.” She laughed as I ran out of the room and down the long hallway.
“Abby?” I called as I entered the kitchen.
“It’s June.” June was Abby’s sister and just as loved as anyone else here.
“Hey, June,” I kissed her cheek as I snagged a chocolate square from the cooling rack, “have you seen Cole?”
“He’s downstairs with Frank and Daniel.”
“Thanks.” I handed off the chocolatey goodness to Olivia as she came through the door with Hudson then raced by them.
“Yes! Another!” I heard her squeal as I disappeared down the stairs.
Savannah stepped in my path, and her big brown eyes twinkled. “I know now isn’t the time,” she held up her hands, “so I’ll say it really quick, then tuck it away for later when everything sets in that you have a son.”
