Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) (12 page)

Ah, crap
. Cole suspected he knew who the missing—and from his perspective, unwelcome—dinner guest was. Grant.

“Dad is coming for dinner.” Sam grinned. “Mom said he’s all alone and needs some family with him at the dif’clt time.”

Lizzie looked at Sam in surprise. “Hmm, someone’s been listening in on adult conversations.”

Sam nodded. “And daddy said, ‘what the hell, go ahead and invite him.’”

Lizzie choked on a drink of water. Zach reached over to pat her gently on the back, even as he shot a mock frown Sam’s way. “Watch your language, little princess.”

Sam’s smile faltered.

He continued, his face stern, “I’m quite certain I said ‘what the helicopter, go ahead and invite him.”

Sam shook her head.

Tapping one finger against his jaw, Zach continued, “What the hello, mommy?”

Sam shook her head with increased vigor.

“What the…” He paused, “What the help me out someone?”

Sam giggled. “Daddy.”

Zach smiled. “Daddy’s sorry he said a bad word. I’m glad your dad can be here for dinner, even if he is joining us late.”

Cole was impressed Zach didn’t choke on the words. If he were Zach, he’d have a little more trouble taking the high road.

Zach reached out to either side to capture Lizzie and Daniel’s hands. “Well, now that that’s settled. Let’s bless the food. I’m sure there’ll be plenty left when Grant arrives.”

The doorbell rang.

“Great timing.” With a sigh, Zach pushed back his chair and headed for the front door. Cole suppressed a grin at Zach’s sarcasm. Despite Zach’s journey on the high road, Cole suspected Zach had hoped Grant might not make the family meal.

Voices sounded in the hall, followed by footsteps. All eyes shifted to the doorway as Grant entered, followed by Zach.

“Hello sweetie,” Grant bent down to kiss Sam’s head, his blond hair a sharp contrast to the little girl’s dark curls. He wiggled his fingers at Daniel. “Sorry I’m late.” His eyes swept the remaining dinner guests, speeding past Cole to stop at Emma. A mix of emotions flitted across his face before he schooled his expression and pulled out his chair. “We have new company,” he observed, staring at her.

“Grant, this is Cole’s friend Emma. Emma, Grant is Sam’s biological father.”

Emma stiffened and opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Sam raised her hands to either side. “Blessing!”

Laughing, everyone clasped hands, then bowed their heads in silence. When Grant extended his hand across the table to clasp Emma’s, Cole sensed her reluctance and fought the urge to jerk her hand back, the wave of possessiveness taking him by surprise.

The blessing flowed over him, mere background music to the pounding of his heart.

He lifted his head when Zach rose and walked to the end of the table to carve the turkey.

Food made its way around the table until everyone’s plate was heaped high. Conversation flowed along with good wine, water, and milk, depending on preference and age. Grant focused on Sam, and occasionally, Daniel. He ignored Emma.

Cole remained mostly silent, counting on Lizzie to engage Emma in conversation. She didn’t disappoint. Emma’s end of the conversation seemed strained, although Cole didn’t think the other adults noticed. The family dinner was likely hard for her with Jacob not only absent, but missing. Cole leaned back, resting his arm across the back of Emma’s chair. He stroked her shoulder in small, reassuring circles.

“Anyone for dessert?” Lizzie asked. She laughed as good natured groans sounded from the adults. “Okay, we’ll take a break and have dessert later.”

Even Sam nodded in agreement, and everybody rose to help clear the table.

When the dishes were all stacked along the kitchen counter, Zach brushed his hands together and smiled. “Emma, do you mind if I borrow Cole for a minute? We’re going to take a walk to the lake.”

“No, that’s fine. I’ll help Lizzie clean up.”

They exited the kitchen, leaving Grant behind with the women. Perfect. Cole needed to talk with Zach, and he had no intention of sharing information within earshot of the man who’d had information about Zach, Daniel, and Lizzie’s abduction, but said nothing. They’d question Grant later.

…

Emma watched as the men disappeared from the room, wishing she could listen to their conversation. At the moment, however, she had another problem to worry about. Her glance swiveled to Grant.

“Uh, oh.” Lizzie reached down to pick up Daniel. “Someone needs a diaper change.” She nodded toward the messy kitchen. “Just leave everything. We have the housekeeper coming tomorrow.” She laughed as she headed for the hallway. “We enjoy cooking, but neither of us wanted to wash all of those dishes.”

After she disappeared down the hall, Grant reached down to snatch Sam from the floor. “I love your dress.” He tossed her in the air, much to the little girl’s delight. “Do you want to see if your mom needs help?”

“Yes!” Sam leaned in to kiss Grant’s cheek. “She lets me squirt the powder.”

Grant set his daughter on the floor, and she ran for the stairs. As her footsteps faded in the distance, he turned to Emma. His smile faded into a grim line.

“Hello, Emma.”

“Hello, Jack.”

Chapter Sixteen

Grant grimaced, running his hand through his hair.
Of all the rotten luck
.

The sound of happy voices echoed down the stairs and drifted through the house. Staring at Emma, he sighed. “Let’s step outside. It’s a nice night.”

She nodded, preceding him through the door, shoulders set. She swerved to avoid contact with him as though his touch might somehow soil her.

Incredible
. Just when he was trying to get his life on track—really on track for the first time in maybe ever, Emma showed up at the first family dinner he’d been invited to attend since the kidnapping.

He followed her into the moonlit yard, a jewel of landscaping nestled amongst oak and pine. Zach and Lizzie had done all the work themselves, building a private haven in their own backyard. A haven they’d earned. He wasn’t too stubborn to admit it.

Emma stopped halfway across the yard, in the shade of an enormous birch. The ghostly white limbs reflected the moonlight, casting an otherworldly glow about her. Grant lifted his eyes to whatever God had played this joke on him. She was definitely from his other world.

“Jack.” Cold accusation blasted him.

“It’s Grant. Grant Bridges. Thank you for not saying anything.”

She snorted.

“Really, I mean it. Thank you for not revealing my deception in front of my daughter.” Grant shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away. “I don’t even know where to start. First, let me say that I’m sorry for running out on you our senior year in college.” He faced her. “I hated leaving you.” He offered a half smile. “Hard to believe it’s been over six years. You look great.”

“Uh huh.” Clearly unimpressed by his compliment, she continued. “You didn’t even tell me your real name.”

A rueful smile turned the corners of his mouth, remembering the joy and frustration of her direct nature. She’d never been one to have her head turned by pretty words. “No, I didn’t. I couldn’t.”

“Your real name is Grant, isn’t it? You’re the son of Alistair Forrester’s partner?”

His smile faded. “I see Cole’s told you about my past.”

“He told me about
Grant’s
past. The fact that I knew you as Jack comes as a complete surprise.” She worried her lip, tilting her head as she studied him. “You know my brother is missing?”

Grant nodded. “Zach asked me a few weeks ago if I knew anything about Jacob. I told him the truth. I’d never met him, and I don’t know where he is.”

A frown creased her brow. “I assume you didn’t mention you used to date Jacob’s sister?”

“No, I didn’t. They don’t need to know everything about my life. I’ve never told them about my time on the run from the great Alistair Forrester.” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “Besides, they’re not interested in me, only in what I know about the old man.” He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I had no idea they were bringing you here.”

Closing her eyes, she remained silent. The night wind rustled through the branches of the old birch, and an owl hooted in the distance while he waited for her response. When her eyes opened, they were dark and troubled. He braced himself.

…

A pain pierced Emma’s heart as she thought back to her days with Jack, a pain that had nothing to do with the hurt she’d felt at his abandonment. In fact, the pang in her chest had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Jacob. After the events of the past days, she and Cole had something in common—neither of them believed in coincidences.

“You were hiding from Forrester when we met?”

“Yes. Trying to live a normal life.”

“And what, he found you, and he didn’t approve?” Even she heard the ring of falsehood in her words, dreading the confirmation that she had brought the madman into their lives.

“Quite the contrary. He was thrilled.” Her heart dropped. “Thought your brother might be a nice addition to his operation when he graduated. Thought our relationship gave him an inside track, even though I told him I’d never met Jacob. ‘
Grant, dear boy, meet Jacob, become his friend. He’s just the kind of man who can help us.
’” Grant’s voice changed, taking on a lower, melodious timbre as he mimicked Forrester. “But I wanted nothing to do with his plans. So I stole some money from dear old dad and disappeared again.”

Seeking direct confirmation of the truth, Emma’s question exhaled in a whisper. “That horrible man targeted my brother because of me? Because of our relationship?”

Reluctantly, Grant nodded. “Look, I tried to keep you safe. That’s the reason I left.”

“You could have warned me.”

“Please try to understand there’s a line you don’t cross with Alistair. Running is one thing. Betrayal is a death sentence—I thought if I said anything, I’d put us both in more danger, and I thought Jacob was smart enough to steer clear of the old man.”

Anger flashed in her eyes at this insult to Jacob. When he said nothing more, she started to turn away. He reached out to stop her. With his hand resting on her shoulder, he stepped forward so that he stood in front of her again.

“I was running from my father and his maniac of a business partner. Believe it or not, I
was
trying to start a normal life when I met you.”

“And instead you put my brother and me in danger.”

Sadness and regret filled his eyes. “I thought I was keeping you safe by leaving. I thought Alistair would leave you and your brother alone without the connection to me.” His hand dropped to his side.

She chewed her lower lip, trying to understand the timeline of events. “It couldn’t have been long after that when you resurfaced as Grant, met Lizzie, and had Sam.”

He flashed a sad, self-effacing grin. “Yes, I thought Alistair had died in an explosion, but he reappeared. He insisted I take a trip to Mexico to meet with a potential client. Lizzie begged to join me on what she thought was an emergency business trip. The irony is that’s where she met Zach. The one incident Alistair didn’t foresee or manipulate.” His jaw set in a hard line. “You can see how well my second attempt at a normal life worked out. My beautiful daughter growing up in a happy household calling another man daddy. And, me? I’m thrilled to have scored a Thanksgiving pity invitation.”

Emma felt a reluctant stirring of sympathy.

Grimacing, he continued. “Look, I’m not trying to make you feel sorry for me, but I am trying to be the man Sam deserves as a father. Trying to make amends for past mistakes. I’d like my daughter not to know about us, about the man who was…who tried very hard to be Jack.”

She studied him for a long moment, judging his sincerity. Then, “I won’t say anything in front of Sam.”

He nodded his thanks. “Zach and I don’t have much in common, but we both fear the damage Alistair can do to this family. You need to be careful. I don’t know if he’ll contact me, but I promise to let you know if I hear anything about Jacob.” He stuck out his hand and flashed a smile. “Truce.”

If Grant’s words were true, and they rang with sincerity, then Alistair had made his life hell for years. She might not fully trust him, but he was another link to finding her brother, and she needed whatever resources came her way. She frowned, but accepted his hand. “Truce.”

…

Zach and Cole walked along the path from the lake back to the house. Their debrief had been quick and thorough.

“I like her.” Zach turned the conversation to Emma.

“I like her, too,” Cole admitted.

“But…” Zach let the word hang, waiting for Cole’s response.

Damn Zach for making him say what they both already knew. “But I trusted the wrong person before. Not to mention that Jacob is her brother, and that makes things, well, complicated.”

“Ah, Cole. Aren’t you the one who advised me not to let a mistake in judgment color my entire life?”

Reluctantly, Cole nodded. Zach had blamed himself for his cousin, Thomas’s death—a murder in which Zach had been Alistair’s intended victim. This situation, however, was different.

“It’s not different.” Zach responded as if he’d spoken aloud, then shook his head. “The uncertainty about Jacob’s role does complicate things, however.” He clapped Cole on the shoulder. “We’ll protect Emma from hurt as best we can. Oh, I forgot. Lizzie wants her boots from the storage shed by the lake. You go ahead. I’ll be right back.”

Cole continued up the moonlit path, drawing a deep breath of the crisp night air. It felt good to be home.

Reaching the edge of the forest path, he stopped. Grant and Emma stood in the shade of the old white birch, hands clasped. Grant released her hand and they smiled. Even from this distance, Cole could sense the familiarity. A sharp pain pierced his chest as they walked back into the house.

Had he been wrong about Emma? If she knew Grant, why didn’t she say anything at dinner? What was she keeping from him?

Cole stood for a long time in the shadow of the forest. Finally, he stepped out of the darkness into the clearing.

The moon burned brighter than when he’d left the house. It colored everything around him the white hot color of betrayal.