Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Gideon
I leaned against the wet bar in the back yard of Imogene’s parents’ Atlanta home, unable to tear my eyes from her as she sat beside her mother on a wicker couch. The warm summer sun cast a golden glow over everything, from the sparkling pool to the lush green grass. Imogene’s laughter, that light, airy sound I hadn’t heard enough of in the past few weeks, rang out over the conversation. For a moment, it eased something deep inside me.
As much as I enjoyed the idea of staying in Hilton Head forever, it wasn’t reality. Imogene had been cleared to return to work, so we needed to get back to California.
But we needed to stop in Atlanta first. I promised as much when I called Imogene’s mom and stepfather to ask for their permission to marry her. Honestly, I didn’t think they’d agree, not when they knew the truth about who I was.
To my surprise, they didn’t voice a single hesitation. Instead, they thanked me for asking them, but said Imogene was an adult and they trusted her judgment to do what she believed was in her best interests.
Lucky for me, she said yes.
I should have been happy. In many ways, I was. But there was still that niggle of worry in the back of my mind, the one whispering that I didn’t deserve this. That all of this could be taken away.
“I don’t think I’ve seen her smile this much in ages.” Henry’s voice cut through the haze of my thoughts, and I snapped my attention away from Imogene, meeting his eyes. “It’s good to see her happy.”
“Yes, it is.” I brought my scotch up to my mouth.
“It’s good to see you happy, too. Now that you’ve finally pulled your head out of your ass.”
I chuckled and raised my glass in a mock salute. “Thanks to you.”
“You would have figured it out eventually. I’m just glad I could give you the push you needed.”
“Thanks, brother.” I passed him a genuine smile, grateful for his constant support.
“Anytime.” He held my gaze for a beat before clearing his throat and lowering his voice. “I did some digging into that FBI agent like you asked.”
The mention of Agent Myers brought me back to reality. The past few days had been such a blur. Not to mention, it felt like Imogene and I were living in a bubble, so far removed from our worries.
Now we were back in the real world again. With it, came the reminder of all the problems still facing us.
“What did you find?” I asked, trying to mask the anxiety creeping into my voice.
“It’s not much,” he admitted, his tone apologetic. “But he went to the same college as Brian McGuire. They were even in the same forensics class about thirty years ago. Apparently, McGuire was a criminal justice major before he switched to mortuary science.”
“So what if they were in the same class thirty years ago?” I argued. “It could just be a coincidence.”
While I struggled to believe anything was merely a coincidence, the connection was tenuous. With what was at stake, I couldn’t jump to conclusions.
“I’ll keep digging, see if there’s been any recent connection between the two.”
I nodded, unsure if I wanted him to find anything. “Thanks.”
“I’ll let you get back to your soon-to-be wife.” He chuckled under his breath. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“You and me both.” I threw him a wink, then started toward where Imogene sat with her mom, Melanie, and Melanie’s mother, Olivia. I could hear them talk about wedding plans all the way over here.
I didn’t care where we got married. All I did care about was making her my wife. Becoming her husband. It was a strange thought, considering where I was mere months ago.
Imogene changed all that.
Just like she had all those years ago, too.
“Gideon,” a commanding voice called out, forcing me to come to a stop.
Turning, I met Alexander Burnham’s hardened eyes, causing a hint of unease to flow through me.
Despite the polite conversation we all shared over the past few hours as we celebrated my and Imogene’s engagement, I still felt him studying me with scrutiny.
Just like he did the last time I saw him in Pebble Beach.
But I was no longer hiding who I was, worried if anyone might see past the lies, it would be the highly trained former Navy SEAL.
Instead, everyone here knew the truth — that I was once Samuel Tate before the men I trusted betrayed me.
“Mr. Burnham, sir,” I greeted Melanie’s father respectfully.
“Congratulations.” He extended his hand toward me and we shook briefly. “It should come as no surprise that I think of Imogene as a second daughter.”
“Of course, sir.”
“I’m happy for her. For both of you. You deserve this.”
“We do?”
His words took me by surprise. After all, he now knew I’d lied to him. To all of them. While everyone else seemed ready to overlook my actions, I didn’t think Alexander would.
“Yes.” His lips curved into a slight smile as he brought his scotch to his mouth. Then his gaze drifted toward his wife, his expression lightening. “I know better than anyone that sometimes you need to keep secrets in order to keep those you love safe.”
I nodded in understanding.
While I may have had less than altruistic motives when I started down this path, that changed along the way. My actions weren’t solely out of revenge, but also to protect Imogene. To remove any and all threats to her safety.
Myself included.
“What’s your plan for Liam Pierce?”
I darted my eyes back to his, unsure how to respond.
While everyone knew who I was now, I hadn’t shared the details of everything I’d done.
Then again, I shouldn’t have been surprised that Alexander Burnham would be the one to put all the pieces together.
Much like Agent Myers did.
But Agent Myers didn’t know with certainty who I really was. His theory was just that… A theory. Even if it did hit quite close to the truth.
“You don’t need to cover for yourself,” Alexander continued. “I’ve been around long enough to read between the lines.”
“And what did you find between the lines?” I asked evenly, not wanting to give anything away.
“That you haven’t merely been sitting idly by, hoping all those assholes finally paid for what they did to you. That you took matters into your own hands.”
I didn’t immediately confess. But I didn’t deny his statement, either.
“I don’t blame you. If I were in your shoes…” He shook his head as he took another long sip from his drink. “I’m not sure I would have been as patient or methodical about it. I wanted to let you know I understand.” He narrowed his gaze on me. “There’s what’s legal. And then there’s what’s just. As long as you’re on the side of justice, I’m with you. Whatever you need, I’ll have your back.”
“I appreciate the support, sir,” I replied, “but this is my fight. I started it myself. If necessary, I’ll end it myself.”
Alexander briefly studied me before relaxing his posture. “Fair enough. But the offer stands. I can have trained mercenaries on-site within the hour.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Me, too. But if it does, you know where to find me.”
I offered him my thanks again before excusing myself and making my way toward Imogene, my heart warming at how beautiful and carefree she looked, her smile as radiant as the diamond now gracing her finger. The sight eased some of the tension Alexander’s words had left behind. But only a little.
As I approached, Imogene instinctively reached for my hand, pulling me to sit beside her.
“I thought you got lost,” she joked.
“Not lost.” I glanced toward Alexander as he joined us. “Just sidetracked.”
“Everything okay?” Imogene asked in a quiet voice, her gaze searching.
I touched a soft kiss to her forehead. “Never better.”
“Good.”
“Now that we finally have everyone out here,” Melanie interjected, pushing herself to her feet. “If I could have your attention for a moment?”
The chatter quieted, and we all looked her way. She stood tall, her champagne glass held high, her expression full of warmth and pride.
“I’m so happy to be here to celebrate two of the most important people in my life,” Melanie began, beaming at Imogene. “It’s been an emotional journey to get to this point. But if there’s one thing I’ve always believed about Imogene, it’s that she’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. She holds her cards close, keeps her heart guarded. But when she lets someone in, she gives them everything.”
She turned her attention fully to me, her voice softening.
“And that’s exactly what she’s given the man beside her… Everything. Even when the rest of us thought there was no way forward, she refused to let go of what she felt in her heart. She held on to hope when it would have been so much easier to give up. That hope is what brought you back to her, Gideon.”
Imogene’s fingers tightened around mine, and I glanced at her, my heart expanding as I caught the faint shimmer in her eyes.
“I won’t pretend to understand everything you’ve both been through
to get here,” Melanie continued, her voice growing steadier. “I don’t think a single person on the planet could ever do that. But here’s what I do know… The love you share is rare. It’s the kind of love that endures. That overcomes. That transforms.”
Her smile widened, her gaze sweeping over the handful of people we felt compelled to invite to celebrate with today.
“So here’s to Imogene and Gideon. To a love that doesn’t just survive. It thrives. To the future they’re building together. And to the happiness that’s waiting for them.”
The group echoed her toast, the soft clinking of glasses filling the air. Imogene turned to me, her smile as bright as the sun, and I leaned in to brush a kiss to her lips.
“I love you,” I murmured.
“And I love you.”
But as she pressed another kiss to my mouth, the knot in my chest returned.
Melanie’s words had been perfect — poignant, heartfelt, and full of hope.
Hope I wanted to believe in.
But I’d learned long ago how fleeting hope could be.
I feared it would soon be taken from us, too.