Page 5 of Enthrall Shadows
She offered me the letter again. Seemingly innocent, yet containing a secret.
I felt a stab of doubt. “Whendid she write it?”
“A week ago.”
Impossible.
What the fuck is this?
Denial raged against reason. “Who are you?”
Her expression softened. “Her daughter.”
I’d guessed the young woman’s age correctly.
She was insinuating that Reese hadn’t died in Chile. Reese would have given birth in her early twenties—if it was true. She must have become pregnant after arriving in Patagonia. Lilly’s radiant complexion hinted at her father’s origin.
That type of revelation would have hurt me to the bone. Missing out on my child’s life would have destroyed me.
“She’s really still alive?” I held my breath, waiting for her response.
Lillyglanced down and then raised her gaze to meet mine. “Yes.”
A rush of emotions swirled through me at Reese’s betrayal.
This can’t be true.
As much as I need it to be.
Nausea welled up inside me and I tasted dread.
The elevator jolted, resuming its descent.
Uneasiness slithered down my spine. The hazard of this lofty height had been replaced with something worse.
I leaned over to pat Dex, my fingers brushing through his warm fur. He rested his head against my palm, soothing me a little.
The elevator doors opened.
I stood there mulling over whether to step out and take our conversation into the foyer where others could observe us—or deal with this in private.
This felt like drowning and rising to a high altitude at the same time.
I gestured for Lilly to exit the elevator first.
Years of military training had taught me how to control my heart rate.
But all of that meant nothing in this moment.
They can’t train you for this.
“You don’t want the letter?” she asked.
I went with, “Let’s grab a coffee.”
Having witnesses to our conversation seemed like a smart idea. I knew well enough not to accept envelopes from strangers for legal reasons.
She stepped out of the elevator and then turned back to me. “Are you allowed to bring your dog into the café?”
