Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Tears burn my eyes, but I hold them back. I joined the bureau to find my sister, not to be a pawn for those above me. Grayson also hasn’t lost anything. Cameron is alive, so the only person about to experience a significant loss for the second time in her life is me.
“Stay out of my way.” I toss the document back onto his desk. “Or I’ll make sure everyone knows what you did—including Grayson.”
Defeated, Markwell gives in two seconds later. Just as fast, I exit his office with my resolve dogged but slightly dented.
27
MACY
The drive to Cameron’s building takes longer than usual. While traffic is at its worst, I also need time to wrap my head around all the confessions I’ve heard today. Shockingly, it isn’t solely a rookie agent playing matchmaker. This power play extends across the entire board, and it is as exhausting as it is confusing.
After a quick exhale to rid my body of nerves, I exit my car, enter Cameron’s building, and then ride the elevator to the fifth floor. I’m not sure what I’ll say once I reach her apartment. I only know that I won’t be leaving until the truth exits with me.
The door cracks open three seconds after I knock. Cameron wears a silky robe that swishes against the floorboard when she opens the door to see who is there before 8 a.m.
“Macy…” I balk. I don’t remember telling her my name. I didn’t even give her my alias, so how does she know it? “It’s early. Can this wait?”
Dark locks slap my cheeks when I wordlessly deny her request. Then I step inside before she can protest. “What I need to say can’t wait. It’s urgent.”
She hesitates, then moves aside, letting me pass. The apartment is dimly lit, but I still head for the coat I left yesterday, needing to shut down the surveillance so this can be a true woman-to-woman talk.
After disconnecting the brooch from the server, I turn to face Cameron. She butts her hip against a two-seater couch and nervously chews on her bottom lip.
“I finished your maternity portrait.” I start at the less impactful point of my visit, hoping it will move our conversation forward faster than Grayson can drive here. If he’s awake, he’d be watching the feed, right? There’s nothing to distract his thoughts, and no one else cruelly hogging his time. He’d have to be making up for lost time, so I’d better make this quick.
I slide my sketchbook across the coffee table wedged between us. Cameron glances at the drawing I worked on for hours, but doesn’t touch it. It is an odd response for a mother-to-be. They’re usually chomping at the bit to take in all the details of their growing baby bump. I’ve even penciled mine a handful of times the past week.
After a beat, Cameron murmurs, “Thank you,” like those are the only words I’ll need to leave.
They’re not even close.
“Why did you pretend you didn’t know him? Why did you run when he called your name? He’s been looking for you for seventeen years, but instead of thanking him for his dedication, you’re acting as if he doesn’t exist.”
She stiffens as her eyes dart away. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Stop lying, Cameron!”
“I don’t know who that is. I’m not Cameron. My name is—”
“Cameron. Your name is Cameron June.”
With a huff, she stands abruptly and then leaves the room.
I stand, too, but solely so I can block her path. As I flatten my back against her glossy front door, I bounce my wild eyes between an equally confused pair. “Grayson deserves to know the truth. He deserves better than how you’re treating him.”
“I didn’t do anything. I’m not Cameron.”
“Do you really think so little of yourself that you’d believe he’d just forget you? That his life’s work wouldn’t be scouring every inch of this earth to find you? He never stopped looking for you. Not a single day went by that you weren’t on his mind.” When the pain in my tone finally chips at some of her armor, I hit her where it hurts. “And I am sure it’s been the same for your sister.”
Her eyes gloss with tears as they dance between mine. They make me want to harness my campaign, though they won’t entirely cease it.
“Don’t you want to give her some peace? Don’t you want to let her live her life to the fullest before she’s too old to enjoy it?” My words echo those I’ve heard multiple times. “Don’t steal that joy from her. Don’t make her a martyr for your choices.”
“I didn’t choose this! It wasn’t my choice.” Finally, her guard drops. “You don’t understand.”
I reach for her hand, desperate for her to open up to me. “Because you haven’t given me the chance.” The thud of her pulse rockets up my arm when I squeeze her hand. “You haven’t given him the chance. He loves you, Cameron.”