Raiden (The Kent Brothers #2) - A.M. Hargrove Page 0,41
and hid in the woods until the police came.”
“Where’s your daughter now?”
It was I who stiffened now. “I don’t know.”
“Wait, I’m confused.”
I looked into his eyes, eyes that were soft and compassionate. I knew he cared deeply for me, but these eyes were saying so much more. “This is the part that gets sticky. Those men came to the house for me. The suspect was an underworld crime boss. After that happened, I went into WITSEC. The Witness Security Program.”
“You assumed a new identity?”
“Yes. And that meant in order for my daughter to be safe, I had to make the toughest decision of my life.” That’s when I sobbed, my heart shattering into pieces again. My words were a jumbled mess when I spoke. “When I lost my entire family at once, I thought that was the worst that could ever happen to a human being. I was so wrong. Giving up my daughter was losing my heart and soul. I didn’t think I’d ever breathe again.”
He pressed himself against me and murmured things to me, words I didn’t understand because I was weeping so hard. It had been months and months since I’d allowed myself to think of Ariana, of giving her up, and the damage the loss did to me. It would never dissipate. I knew that, which was why I didn’t allow myself to dwell on it. A huge chunk of me would forever be missing.
“My God, Scottie, I’m so very sorry. The pain you’ve endured. I can’t wrap my brain around it.”
“There’s more. Not only did they change my identity, but they also altered my appearance. I had cosmetic surgery to change my nose, cheekbones, and chin. I was always a redhead, but dyed my hair black. Now it’s natural for me.” I hiccupped a sob. “I always loved my hair black.”
“Wanna know something? I adore it red.”
“I suppose you meant to make me smile?”
“Yeah. Epic fail, huh?”
“Thanks anyway.”
“Did they change your eyes?”
I nodded. “They used to be gray. I have lens implants now. The doctors agreed the green would be an impressive addition to my red hair.”
“I’ve got to say, the green is perfect. But I would love your eyes in any shade.”
Nudging him with my elbow, I said, “Aw, you’re just trying to score brownie points.”
“No, Scottie, I’m telling you what’s in my heart. Your eyes are gorgeous.”
For whatever reason, I couldn’t bear the honesty shining from him. Glancing down, I thanked him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“How long were you with the DEA?”
“WITSEC moved me to El Paso afterward, and I went directly into training. It was a smooth transition, and I enjoyed my job. I was a DEA agent for two-and-a-half years, but the official record added years to it.”
“Drex and Gemini—”
“Don’t know. They can’t know. No one does. Only the US Marshals and now you. And it has to stay that way unless we capture the mob boss.”
“Who is this crime boss?”
My silence was his answer.
He shot up from the bed. “Scottie, this is crazy.”
“Raiden, it’s not. The O’Briens are murderers, and there’s evidence they are dealing in military-grade weapons. The danger within them is endless. Aiden, the one at large, is the most dangerous. Now that his brother’s in prison, he’s an even looser cannon. We have to do this. If we succeed, it will dismantle his entire syndicate. Without a leader, the organization will be in extreme disarray. The higher-level leaders in the mob will be accessible to us then. This is our finest opportunity.”
“But your reason is revenge. That’s reckless.”
“Not reckless. Dangerous, yes, but worth the price. Look what he did to your brother and us.”
His jaw twitched at that. He might not agree, but my point was valid.
“This is illegal. Kidnapping someone is…”
He frowned at my laugh. “Kidnapping, hell. He murdered my entire family and ripped my daughter away. This would be a temporary thing. Besides, what girl deserves a criminal, a murderer, for a father? What life would that be?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I promise to do my best to stay safe. This time we’ll prepare for everything and anything.”
“Since I don’t have a choice in this, then that’s all I can hope for.”
He was right. This would happen, no matter the cost. An eye for an eye, they say. I would get my revenge on Aiden O’Brien if it took my life to do it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Raiden
The day they were leaving was fast approaching, and with it, my disposition deteriorated. Elena came in and asked