Page 94 of Scarred Redemption

She licked her lips, her chest rising and falling. “I want that very much.”

“I’m glad. I can’t live without you, Isabel. I can’t and I won’t.”

“If you want me to trust you implicitly, Maxsim, you need to remember that I’m a part of this world now too. I’m no fool nor am I going to lie to myself about what you’re capable of. I need to go into this with my eyes wide open. Talk to me. Share with me what’s going on. I’m either your partner or I’m not and I can’t handle the latter.”

She was right about what she should consider the reason to trust me. And trust was extremely viable at this point. “I believe the corporation who attempted to purchase the land for the medical facility from under the trust owns the warehouse where you were kept. I’ve yet to confirm, but it’s only a matter of time. In addition, it would seem the reason for the carefully planned acts of revenge began under the leadership of my father. An old vendetta.”

Isabel’s eyes darted back and forth as she absorbed the news. “But you’re involved.”

“Undoubtedly. I believe Stonewall is the legitimate side of an illegal brokerage firm. Firms such as them specialize in providing whatever item their clients are searching for. From weapons to slave trading. They are dangerous and very secretive organizations with multiple layers of protection surrounding them.”

“You’re suggesting your father clashed with them.”

I pulled out the picture, holding it up so she could see it in the mirror. “This was left for me along with the tapes you made at the warehouse. That’s my father and my guess is the clue left revolves around their friendship. When I discover his identity, the game will begin to unravel.”

Instantly, I noticed a change in her breathing as her body began to shake.

“What’s wrong? Let’s get you back to bed.”

“No. No!”

“Then what is it?”

“Maxsim,” she mumbled as she turned to face me. “That man.”

“You don’t have to worry about him. I will find him.”

She shook her head vehemently. “You don’t understand. That’s my father.”

CHAPTER 19

Isabel

“Your father,” Maxsim repeated and instantly, his body language changed, becoming tense. He took a step away and I could see uncertainty in his eyes.

My breath stammered, disbelief spreading through me while anger exposed the ugly demons thriving inside the man I loved.

“Yes. Bedford Dayne.” With shaky hands, I yanked up my thong as prickles captured every inch of my skin.

Seconds passed and every one of them felt as if a lifetime.

Destructive parts of my life that I’d thought dead and buried had been resurrected inside a world I’d thought I’d wanted no part of.

“That’s why the man at the warehouse told me I was much more important than I realized.”

“The man who required you to make the recordings.”

“Yes,” I managed, my heart in my throat. “What does this all mean, Maxsim?”

Memories in vivid color images tore through my mind, shredding the limited sense of security I’d felt in knowing my father was dead.

“You’re certain that’s your father. No shadow of a doubt.” He held the picture up again as if hoping I was wrong.

With my hand shaking and my fingers numb, I took the photograph from him, studying the man’s features. “I know the picture is old, but that’s my father. That’s the man whose death I cheered, a horrible beast of a human being who was the reason my mother is dead.” The rage in my voice surprised even me.

I had no clue what he was thinking other than that he was furious, so angry the life I’d seen in his eyes before had faded, becoming so icy they were unrecognizable. He walked away and toward the door, throwing it open and allowing fresh salt air into the room.

His body remained tense, every well-defined muscle in his back and shoulders visible through the thin material of his shirt. He leaned against the door jamb, staring out at the ocean. I wasn’t about to allow this moment to remain silent so I joined him, also studying the ocean waters. “Tell me about him.”