Page 75 of Max's Mission

Leaning against a tree, she studied him, keeping one ear open for Audra’s return. He looked good for a supposed dead man. Healthy. But he was twitchy. He couldn’t stay still, she noticed. And every little sound drew his attention.

“Margot!” Audra’s hissed exclamation drifted through the jungle.

She glanced over her shoulder, seeing the woman coming down the hill. Pushing off the tree, she emerged from the dense foliage near the gate.

“You scared me half to death.” Audra leveled a fierce frown on her. “I thought something happened to you.”

“Sorry. I wanted to make sure he didn’t leave.”

“We’d have found him. He couldn’t get far around here. There’s only one road in and out, and the guys are on their way. Annabeth called them as soon as we left the house.”

“Well, at least we’d have known which way he went.”

Audra just blinked.

Margot shrugged and started down the driveway. Together, they rounded the bend.

Tad noticed and backed up into the hedge before recognizing her. He eyed Audra warily.

“Hi.” He lifted a hand and waved it once.

Margot and Audra stopped a few feet from the iron gate set into the stone pillars.

“What the hell do you want, Tad?” Margot crossed her arms and glared, virtually vibrating as she came face-to-face with the man who’d destroyed her life fourteen months ago.

He tipped his head back, looking skyward, then sighed. “Are the girls all right?”

“They’re fine. Why are you here?”

“I just…” His mouth pulled. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way, Margot.” He blinked several times and looked away.

Margot sighed, some of her ire leaving. Now she was just pissed and disappointed. “I still don’t understand why you’re here. I mean, I get that you’re concerned, but you could have called. Or, you know, come clean with me to begin with.”

“I know. I handled all this terribly. But that doesn’t matter now. I know you know what’s going on. I talked to some friend of yours. Asher. I—I think Fred’s here. I don’t want him coming after you and the girls. It’s me he wants.”

Audra stepped to the side and hit the button to open the gate. Margot glanced at her with a curious frown.

“He’s better off in here with us. I have questions, and the guys will too.”

Lips pursed, Margot didn’t argue. She didn’t like it, but knew Audra was right. This wasn’t a conversation to have at the end of the driveway. “Fine. But let’s get one thing clear. The girls will not recognize you. When you walked out and gave up your rights to them, I erased you from our lives. I didn’t want to givethem false hope that you’d be back. And I still don’t. So, as far as they’re concerned today, you’re just an old friend who’s come to visit.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he nodded. “I understand. I never wanted to hurt them. Or you. I was trying to protect you.”

Margot’s jaw worked, some of her anger returning. “There were better ways.” Spinning on her heel, she set off back up the drive.

When she reached the front door, she hesitated and glanced back. “I meant what I said. They don’t need to know who you are.”

“I won’t say anything, Margot. I promise. I get it. You’re right. I won’t be able to be here for them. They don’t deserve that kind of dad.”

Max’s face flashed through her mind. He was the kind of dad she wanted for her daughters. She had no doubt Tad loved Emily and Lily, but Max did, too, and he would never leave.

Turning around, she let them into the house.

The living room was empty.

“Annabeth?” Margot called.

Tad groaned.

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