44

Maria
Death.
It was inevitable that the end would come. Sometimes it loomed over people, those who were sick or had been told they didn’t have long to live. Sometimes it was a welcome relief for someone fighting pain or misery. But for many, death was a devastating ghost to be feared, some believing they had the grim reaper following them throughout life.
My situation was entirely different. I felt as if I’d been born again, leaving behind a life that I wasn’t certain I missed. Or maybe I did. There was only one way of finding out the truth. I couldn’t rely on my memory to provide what I craved desperately.
The truth.
It meant more to me than anything.
Ava .
I was certain that was my name, not Maria. The visions had become more frequent, one assaulting my mind after the other. Mostly random. All disturbing. I was thankful I’d taken a cab from the resort to the airport, the images disruptive. The puzzle pieces were trying to come together. Sadly, it was like trying to drive a square peg into a round hole. It was more frustrating than ever.
I’d also received two texts since leaving Chicago.
One was from Weston. He’d been the one designated to find out what had happened to me. The simple question shouldn’t have meant anything, but I felt an angst unlike anything I’d felt before.
At least that I could remember.
Are you okay?
Then a second one.
We need to talk. Please, baby.
I’d been tempted to text him back. In fact, I’d almost done so three times. He’d known I’d read it, which meant he also knew I was ignoring him on purpose. We both carried iPhones. I couldn’t talk to any of them until I found out everything I could. Even then, I wasn’t entirely certain what I was going to say. The ache continued, my stomach in knots. Nothing seemed real any longer, yet I felt danger. I felt sadness. Most of all I felt loneliness.
I missed them. All three of them.
During the flight, I’d shove aside the unwanted memories, replacing them with images of their faces and the times we’d shared. Laughter. Passion. What it had made me realize was that I’d felt it before. With all three of them. I was certain of it. The chemistry was too intense. Even now, electricity coursed through every vein and muscle.
The third text was… terrifying.
We’re coming…
As in more than one person.
I fingered my phone even now, anxiety creating a breathless feeling. Were they watching me, us? What kind of sick game were they playing?
Perhaps I’d been impetuous taking the first flight out of Chicago. At least it had been nonstop, but four hours had been too long to sit and think about everything I’d read. Even though I’d tried to shove aside the fleeting memories, they’d come pouring in. I wasn’t just thinking they were the reason that I’d been targeted not once but twice. I was certain of it.
In finding out from my useless manager that Emerald had instigated the trip to Chicago, I wasn’t entirely certain who I could trust any longer. It certainly wasn’t my memory. The worst feeling of all was questioning whether or not I trust the men I’d fallen in love with.
I was sick inside, my heart aching. I’d wanted to run to their arms for safety, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t get away from the thought that one or all three had killed someone. It was crazy. Muddled. Even now, I could barely breathe.
I was home in a place I wasn’t certain I even knew. There were no pictures, no vivid images of celebrations or holidays. I’d never really thought about it before now.
The light inside the expansive room had cast a beautiful glow on the artistic pieces my mother had selected. I loved this house, although I knew they were considering selling and moving elsewhere. The location I’d yet to be told. With dad retiring, maybe they wanted a fresh start. I’d miss the gorgeous pool that I never spent any time in, the bright sun that San Diego always seemed to have, and the ocean. That was laughable. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone to the beach in any state.
I was always working.
That’s what I loved.
Then the three men had come along, and I’d realized how much of life I’d been missing.
I heard my mother return to the room, and when I pulled away from the window, I was certain what I’d find in her hands. Refreshments. She’d gone to find my father after getting over her initial shock of seeing me standing on her doorstep. I’d been here almost twenty minutes, and he hadn’t shown his face.
They had to know why I was here, or at least suspect.
“I thought you’d like some lemonade,” she said as she proceeded to pour a large glass from a stunning pitcher that seemed more like an art piece.
“What I want is the truth.”
She kept a smile plastered on her face, acting as if this was a typical visit. I’d planned a tight trip and would need to leave within thirty minutes to make my flight. I would return to Chicago where the storytelling would continue. But in doing so, I’d need to control my heart. I couldn’t allow Clinton, Weston, and Christian to weasel their way back into my system. If I did, I’d never learn the details.
“Sit down, honey.”
I shook my head, realizing I wasn’t going to get anywhere with her alone. After easing onto the chair, she pushed one of the glasses across the table. I noticed her hand was shaking.
“Who am I, Mother?”
“What do you mean? You’re our daughter. You’re a beautiful girl. You’re famous.”
I heard my father’s footsteps and took a chance. “Is my name Ava ?”
My father stopped in the doorway, remaining silent. I lifted my head, almost taken aback by his haggard appearance. I hadn’t seen them in almost a full year. In that time, he’d aged significantly, although he would still be considered a virile man by anyone’s standards. He’d kept himself in shape, working out with a vengeance. If it was true and he was an assassin, then of course he’d need to be big and strong.
I was ready to burst into laughter, chastising myself for being ridiculous, except the signs had been there. The strange phone calls. The late-night flights out of the blue. The less than up front answers to questions when I’d bothered to ask. The security. The threats, although I’d never been privy to one. The money I knew they had in several bank accounts.
I’d chosen to ignore every sign, pretending my father was a regular guy.
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 Ava Summers. 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, Ava . 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 mesAva s. 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 Emerald to follow me around?”
The look they shared was one of genuine surprise. “Who is Emerald?” Dad asked.
“My assistant.” So what Brett told me was true. Emerald 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?
“You need to leave Chicago and never return,” Dad added.
“While I know you want the best for me, that’s not going to happen. I need the truth. I can’t sleep at night because of the nightmares. I can’t breathe any longer because I feel like I’m living a lie. What happened to me ten years ago?” They shared another look, and I did what I could to be patient.
“You were hit by a speeding car. You almost died. You were in a coma for over two weeks. The doctors were worried you’d have brain damage. After brain activity was detected, you had several surgeries, including reconstructive surgery on your face. They were still uncertain how much damage had been done. You were a fighter, refusing to die. You had to relearn how to talk, walk, and almost everything else except for singing. Music pulled you through.”
No wonder the three men hadn’t recognized me.
I took a deep breath and studied my father. It was obvious the secret had worn him down over the years. “So you faked my death.”
Mother dropped her head into her hands. I could tell how upset she was.
My father nodded and took her hand into his, pulling her fingers to his lips. The gentle action was endearing, but I wasn’t in the mood for niceties.
“Was it a hit and run on purpose, or truly an accident?”
“An accident. It was dark and there was a significant storm. The police did a thorough investigation. The boy who hit you was sick about it. From what he told police, you ran out in front of him. Unfortunately, he was going too fast. The impact should have killed you.”
It had.
“Was the boy’s name Clinton Cross, Weston Augustine, or Christian Madrigal?”
The names struck a nerve with both of them even though they knew who owned the resort.
“No, but he was another member of a group called the Elite at the university that you attended,” Daddy continued.
“Crandall University where I studied music. The Elite are very special men who go on to Fortune 100 careers. That’s why I was there. Because of your job. It was secure and meant for people with fathers like mine.”
His eyes opened wide. “Yes. I could afford to send you to a facility I hoped would keep you safe.”
“Except you didn’t anticipate that one of your jobs would come back to haunt you. Did you?”
He blinked several times.
“You see, Daddy, my memory is starting to come back because I’ve been spending time with the three men I mentioned. For some crazy reason, we were all brought together again. Call it fate. Call it karma. I’m not certain. However, I’m performing in Clinton’s resort, but you already knew that. Didn’t you, Mother? You did try and keep me from accepting the contract. If only you’d been up front with me then. Suddenly, Weston and Clinton showed up, supposedly for business, but there’s foul play going on.”
My mom finally had the nerve to look me in the eye. There was so much pain in her gaze that I couldn’t be angry. They’d done their best to protect me. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I wanted to tell you.”
“As I said, I wouldn’t allow her to. There was too much danger. You need to leave them. They’re dangerous.”
“You didn’t want to tell me because you knew Clinton wanted revenge for the murder of his brother. Were you planning on killing him too? Is that why you were traveling again?” I was putting two and two together without the need for warped memories and ugly visions.
I could tell by the expression on his face that he’d thought about it. I was sick inside.
“I was there. In Chicago,” he said. “I didn’t want them touching you. You don’t know the men you seem enamored with.”
“Oh yes, I do. You didn’t raise me to be a stupid woman, Dad. I know what line of work they’re in. Do you honestly think what you’ve done for a living is any different?”
The sudden tension was disheartening. “I care about you, baby girl. It’s different when you have a child.”
“Maybe I’ll agree with you one day. They’re good man underneath the dangerous facade, just like you are daddy. I love them. I think I did all those years ago. I may never get my entire memory back, and that’s fine. I know enough to be able to let go of the past. That’s what I intend on doing.”
“At some point, they will hurt you. That’s their nature.” my mother said, although I could tell in her eyes she was resigned to my choice.
“No, Mama. It’s not. They want to protect me. They have protected me. They allow me to feel alive again. I love them. Maybe it’s crazy, but I know what I want.” I could see their faces. They’d come to my defense on a dark night in another lifetime. I touched my lips, remembering the way each one of them had kissed me. “Some other boy hurt me that night. Something terrible happened that forced me to run into the road. I know it. Did anyone mention that I was attacked?”
While I couldn’t tell if anyone had by the way they were looking at each other, my instinct told me I was right. What I wasn’t certain of was whether it was one of the three men I’d thought about spending the rest of my life with.
“No, nothing like that. Ava , we did the best we could do at the time. I still have several enemies, not just Clinton Cross. We’ve had to be very careful.”
“You thought it was a hit based on your work.”
He nodded. “What else could we think?”
“Because of killing Clinton’s brother.” There was no doubt I’d been invited to the party because the three men knew who my father was. I glanced at his hand. “How did you get that scar?”
I’d asked him about it one time and he’d told me he’d been burned by scalding water. I’d bought it. Of course I was ten or eleven at the time.
He lifted and rubbed his hand. “During one of my assignments.”
“That’s how Clinton made the connection.”
My dad seemed even more exhausted, ready for retirement. “That’s what I believe.”
“Promise me that you won’t touch the men I’ve fallen in love with.”
When neither one said anything, my patience was shot.
“Promise me!”
“As I said. I’m retiring once and for all. I understand Clinton’s pain. I was a different man back then. When you see your child suffering, you begin to realize that playing God will eventually catch up with you. They won’t be touched unless they hurt you.”
What was he trying to tell me?