Chapter 4 - The Woman in the PhotographHollis's mother had died eleven years earlier.
She had always claimed she knew nothing about Daniel's work.
Now a photograph placed her beside one of the men responsible.
Hollis couldn't breathe.
“She lied.”
August said nothing.
“Do you know what this means?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Your mother may have been part of the operation.”
Hollis shook her head.
“No.”
“Then find another explanation.”
They returned to the city.
Hollis confronted the only relative who might know.
Her aunt, Grace.
Grace cried when she saw the photograph.
“I hoped you'd never find that.”
“What is it?”
“Your mother was trying to help Daniel.”
“Then why was she with Rafferty?”
“Because he thought she was working for him.”
Hollis stared.
“She was undercover.”
Grace nodded.
“She discovered money moving through Branick Holdings.”
“Why didn't she tell me?”
“You were a child.”
“I wasn't a child when Dad died.”
Grace looked down.
“She was afraid you'd become the next target.”
Hollis cried.
August stood outside.
He didn't enter.
When she finally came out, she sat beside him.
“She wasn't a traitor.”
“No.”
“She was protecting me.”
“Yes.”
Hollis looked at him.
“You understand that.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“My mother did the same thing.”
She waited.
“My father was involved in the family business.”
“What kind?”
“The kind that makes people disappear.”
He looked toward the window.
“My mother tried to get me out.”
“What happened?”
“She died.”
Hollis understood.
“And your father?”
“Dead too.”
“Then you're alone.”
He smiled faintly.
“Not anymore.”
Her heart skipped.
He looked at her.
Then toward her stomach.
“There's a child coming.”
She smiled.
“Technically there already is.”
He laughed softly.
It was the first time she'd heard it.
A real laugh.
That night, they stayed at a safe property.
Hollis was given a bedroom.
August took the room across the hall.
At 2:00 a.m., Hollis woke from a nightmare.
She found August in the kitchen.
“You don't sleep?”
“Not much.”
She poured water.
“You always like this?”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“I thought you were a monster.”
“I know.”
“Sometimes you still look like one.”
“Probably.”
She laughed quietly.
Then felt the baby move.
She placed a hand on her stomach.
August noticed.
“Can I?”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
He placed his palm gently over her stomach.
The baby moved.
His expression changed.
Something soft.
Something stunned.
“I've never felt that before.”
“It's strange.”
“It's incredible.”
She looked at him.
For the first time, she saw the man beneath the reputation.
He looked frightened.
Not of enemies.
Of caring.
She reached for his hand.
Neither spoke.
Then his phone rang.
His expression hardened.
Rafferty had sent another message.
A location.
And a photograph of Emma.
Alive.
Bound.
Hollis's entire body froze.
August took the phone.
“He wants you.”
“Then we'll go.”
“No.”
“You're not going alone.”
“You're pregnant.”
“I know.”
“He'll use you against me.”
“Then we'll make him think he has the advantage.”
August studied her.
“You're very stubborn.”
“So are you.”
He smiled.
“Fine.”
They prepared.
Before leaving, August opened a safe.
Inside was a handgun and a file.
Hollis saw another photograph.
A young girl.
Marin.
The same woman in the old photo.
Hollis stared.
“That woman.”
August nodded.
“She was your mother's partner.”
“Where is she?”
“Dead.”
Hollis swallowed.
Rafferty had killed her too.
They arrived at the warehouse.
Empty.
Another trap.
Emma wasn't there.
Only a message.
YOU WANT YOUR SISTER?
BRING ME THE NOTEBOOK.
Hollis looked at August.
“It's me.”
“No.”
“I give him the notebook.”
“You give him nothing.”
“What happens to Emma?”
“We find another way.”
She shook her head.
“You don't understand.”
He looked at her.
“I understand exactly.”
He stepped closer.
“I spent my whole life believing everyone was expendable.”
He touched her cheek.
“I'm not making that mistake anymore.”
Hollis stared at him.
“Why me?”
He whispered:
“Because I can't stop thinking about you.”
Her breath caught.
May you like
Before she could answer, a gunshot rang out.
The warehouse exploded into chaos.
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