The SUV screeches out of the driveway and speeds down Garrett’s street.
Leaving Emily all alone.
I don’t try to soothe Peony, who’s screaming next to me in the child seat. I frantically look out the passenger window for someone who can help us, but the street is empty. No one is out taking a stroll or walking their dog or biking along the road.
And even if there was anyone, the way the handcuffs are threaded through the seat belt and my position in the middle of the back seat prevent me from banging on the window. The music drowns out the desperately distressed noises Peony and I are making. The loud pounding of the song matches each rapid beat of my heart.
We’re in plain view, but no one knows we need help.
No one knows we’re in trouble.
We’re alone—and I suddenly understand Peony’s fear of men a whole lot more.
53
GARRETT
Cooper’s brothertakes a swing at my face, his complexion redder than a stoplight. Unlike Cooper, Austin never served in the military. He doesn’t know the first thing about fighting. That much is clear.
I step back, grabbing his wrist, and push his hand to the side.
My phone rings. I let it go to voicemail.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” My tone is the lash of a deadly whip. “Isn’t it bad enough you’ve been harassing me? You don’t come into Cassie’s house and throw punches at her guests.”
“You’re no guest.” His face contorts—nostrils flaring, eyes narrowing. “You’re the man responsible for her husband’s death. My brother’s death.”
“Austin!” Cassie’s voice tug-of-wars between horror and dismay. “How can you say that?”
“He was the one who issued the order that resulted in the explosion.” He jabs an angry, misguided finger in my direction. I have no idea what orders he’s talking about. Likely ones he pulled out of his ass. The mission was classified. Everything about it was classified.
“The explosion the Taliban was responsible for,” she volleys back, her tone firm, unwavering, like a general warning a soldier not to behotheaded. “The Taliban killed my husband and your brother, Austin. Not Garrett. Garrett loved Eli like you and I did.”
My phone rings a second time. I let that too go to voicemail.
Austin scoffs, but even then, the anger in his eyes softens. Hiseyessoften. For her.
Oh, shit.
He’s in love with her. When the hell did that happen? Is that why he’s been sending me those letters?
“He messed everything up.” He gestures at me with his finger again, but his attention is solely on Cassie. “Things would’ve been so different if my brother hadn’t died. We would’ve had a chance.”
Cassie closes her eyes, the pain from his words etched on her face, her shoulders rolling forward under the new weight of this truth.
Shaking her head, she reopens her eyes. “Austin, not again. Not now. Don’t you see? We wouldn’t have had a chance. We made a mistake. A night of weakness. One night. That’s all.”
My phone rings for a third time as I fight to process everything they’re saying. Cassie cheated on Cooper.Double shit.
“How can you say that?” Austin bites out, apparently forgetting I’m here. Or maybe he doesn’t care I’m hearing this monumental confession. About how he betrayed his brother, my friend.
Christ.To think I flew here when I have a book due in thirteen days, all because Austin is in love with Cassie. That must be why he’s been writing to me—he somehow blames me for his lack of romantic relationship with his brother’s wife.
At least the trip isn’t a total loss. I can do some marathon writing in my hotel room over the next few days.
Maybe send the book to my editor a day or two early, and then I can finally talk to Zara, fix what I broke between us, and be the father my daughter needs.
I check my phone to see who’s calling. Noah.
