“Anton took her home.”
Dakota walked into the room. “What’d I miss?”
“Charlene Caraway is Uncle Charlie,” Sin replied. “The real Uncle Charlie.”
“Unbelievable,” Jacoby said.
“What the hell?” Dakota added. “So, she kidnapped her own stepdaughter and grandson?”
“Crazy, huh?” Sin replied. “I’m pretty sure she was going to make Hannah conveniently disappear after she sold the baby.”
“How long had she been running The Institute?” Dakota asked.
“I’m guessing decades, but the truth will come out. Evangeline’s good at her job.” Sin regarded Jacoby. “How long are you staying here?”
“The doc returns tomorrow to check on me.”
“Does Beverly need help with the kids?”
“Her mom and brother are helping out.”
“Let her know I’m available.”
“Will do.”
“I can stay if you want to head home,” Sin said to his brother.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Dakota leaned against the wall. “Sammy is with her Grammy and Pop Pop, so I’m sitting tight until Jacoby is discharged.”
“I’ll be holding a press conference,” Sin said. “Time to let D.C. know The Fixer lives on.”
“Amen to that,” Jacoby said.
“Feel better.” Sin rose. “Again, I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“No apology necessary,” Jacoby replied. “I’m okay.”
On the way to Develin & Associates, Sin called Alexandra Wilde. By the time he arrived, a small group had gathered in the lobby. He pulled Alexandra aside. “Thanks for getting the word out so quickly.”
“Happy to help you.” She glanced over her shoulder. “They couldn’t get here fast enough.”
He walked into the middle of the fray and addressed the media. “Thanks for being here on such short notice. I want to address my recent demise.” He grinned. “Not dead.”
A journalist asked, “How do we know you’re not Dakota Luck and this is a hoax?”
“Good question.” Sin unearthed his phone and began a video chat with his twin.
“Hey,” Dakota said.
“I’ve got you on video, so you can tell the press you aren’t pretending to be me.” Sin displayed his phone so the group could see Dakota. “You’re live.”
“And so are you, brother,” said Dakota. “Unfortunately, I don’t have your charm when it comes to the media, so here’s my comment to the non-believers.” He flipped them the bird and disconnected the call.
Sin chuffed out a laugh. “Any more questions?”
“Why were statements released about your passing by your family and your business associates?” asked another reporter.
“Because they had been told I had died.”
“So, what was really going on?”
“A simple misunderstanding, which is now cleared up.” He flashed a smile as a delivery person walked into the building. “It’s business as usual for Develin & Associates. I’ve got work to catch up on, but the pizzas and drinks are for you guys. Thanks again for being here.”
He hugged Alexandra. “We’ll talk soon,” he said before vanishing into the waiting elevator.
It was two in the morning when Anton drove him home. Though his body ached—and he was tired as hell—he had to ride. After changing into his leathers, he pulled on his helmet, and hopped on his bike.
The biting cold air stung his face as he cruised out of his quiet neighborhood and accelerated onto the main road. And then, he kicked the bike into high gear and he flew.
As mile after mile whizzed by, the weight of the past several weeks rode with him. His thoughts drifted to Monty and the destruction he’d caused. Sin had lost his club, but he and Evangeline could have lost their lives. Monty had tried and failed to kill him. A growl shot out of him as he slowed on the entrance ramp to the parkway.
He wondered what kind of case Charlene’s lawyers were building and how many lives she’d affected over the years. What possesses a woman to get involved in baby trafficking? Money? Power? Both.
Forty minutes later, he returned home to find Evangeline’s car in the driveway. He hurried inside to find her sitting on the family room sofa staring at the waterfall wall, a drink in her hand.
“Hey.” He dropped his helmet on a chair. “You okay?”
On a sigh, she pushed off the sofa and dropped a soft kiss on his mouth. “Better now.” She offered him the glass and he sipped the top-shelf vodka. Her lips were slashed in a thin line and her brow was furrowed.
He kissed her cheek. “How are Hannah and Robert?”
“They’re good. The doctors wanted to keep them in the hospital overnight for observation. My mom is staying with them. They’ll be discharged tomorrow.” Her gaze swept over his face. “Do you want something to eat? How about a backrub?”
Though she smiled, something was off. He removed his leather jacket and riding pants, then studied her face. “You want to talk about what’s on your mind?”
She clasped his hand and brought him into the kitchen where a bottle of whiskey waited beside a lowball glass. After pouring himself a drink, they returned to the family room and settled on the sofa.
A few moments passed, while he waited for her to tell him what was troubling her.
“The adrenaline has worn off and I’m in shock. It’s a lot to process. No one comes out of this unscathed, me included. I’m disappointed in Birdie. I thought he was better than that. I never liked Charlene, but what she’s done has blown my mind.” She ran her hand over Sin’s thigh. “I’m concerned for my sister, though Sanchez told her something I’m hoping will be her saving grace.”
“What did she say?”
“She told her that she could choose to be a victim or a survivor.” Evangeline’s eyes softened. “That helped Hannah understand that she has control over her feelings.” Pausing, she shifted, then sipped the liquor. “I was a good cop. I think I’m a decent agent. I follow the rules and respect the law. But now, I’ve broken the law both by kidnapping Monty and by covering up the fact that I killed him.” Pushing off the sofa, she stood in front of the waterfall.
Sin gave her space and remained quiet.
A moment passed before she turned to face him. “It’s a lot to digest.”
“What can I do to help you through this?”
“Thank you for being in my corner. For now, I’m going to work this case. I want Charlene convicted. After that, I’m not sure I can continue as an agent. How can I enforce the law if I don’t follow it? I’m a hypocrite.”
He could see the struggle in her eyes. “You did what had to be done. If you hadn’t, I would be dead. Hannah would be dead, too, and you would be spending your life regretting that you couldn’t save her, unless Monty had killed you, too.”
“I will take the secret of Monty to my grave. After tonight, I will never speak of him again.”
Returning to the sofa, she sat beside him and clasped his hand. “What I do know is that I found the love of my life.” When he smiled, her eyes softened. “I’ve been terrified of opening up my heart and allowing myself to love someone fully. I was scared of losing my identity and individuality because I saw my mom do that so many times.” She sat tall. “I’m not my mom and, while I love you fiercely, I’m not going to stop being who I am. I’m still a porcupine.”