Chapter 30
Sklad . . .
“Orrin.”
Melanie. He missed her so much. Her death had left a hole inside him that could never be filled. But she was standing before him now.
She leaned over him, a soft smile on her lips as her long, black hair fell over one shoulder. There was a light behind her, making it appear as if a glow encircled her head. He quickly forgot about that as he looked into her hazel eyes.
“You’re back,” he said.
“Shhh.” She put her finger to his lips. “Let me care for you.”
“Melanie, our boys are in trouble.”
The smile vanished. “So are you, my love.”
“I failed you. I won’t fail them.”
Her hands smoothed over his face. Her fingers combed his hair. “Fate took me from you. It was always destined to be so.”
“No. We were supposed to grow old together. I bought those rocking chairs for the porch, remember? We were going to sit there, watching our grandkids.”
She leaned down and placed her lips on his for a tender kiss. “We will.”
Orrin didn’t understand how Melanie was with him, but it didn’t matter. Her gentle touch soothed him, comforted him so that his mind could clear. She’d always had such an effect on him.
“Tell me who hurt you, honey,” he begged. “I need to exact my revenge.”
“You will,” she assured him. “It’s not time yet.”
“I’ve waited too long already.”
“You need to pay attention, Orrin. Listen.”
He frowned, not understanding. “I am listening to you, sweetheart.”
“Not to me. Everyone else. The truth is right before you.”
“I know Yuri betrayed me.”
Her eyes were sad as she gazed at him. “I’m sorry.”
“I should’ve seen it. Why didn’t I see it? He’s not that good. And I’m usually not that trusting.”
“Listen, Orrin. Look between the lines. Hear what isn’t being said.”
His hands reached out and grasped her arms as she sat up. “Baby, don’t leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you.”
“You did.”
“I was always beside you. Every step of the way.”
Orrin’s gaze clouded with his tears. How many times had he cried out for her during the night? How many times had he begged God to give him some sign that Melanie was at peace?
The tightness in his chest eased when she rested her head upon it. He let her thick hair run through his fingers like he’d done a thousand times before when they’d lain in just such a position.
“It’s not time for you to leave this world yet, Orrin. Our sons need you. Callie needs you.”
He stared up at the ceiling. “Our boys have never needed me.”
“They’re stubborn, just like their father. They’re also honorable and dedicated. They’re looking for you.”
“But they’re smart,” he argued. “They were taught well. They won’t make the same mistakes I did.”
Melanie took a deep breath. “And Callie?”
Callie. The daughter they’d never had. She had a tough shell, but beneath it, she was barely held together. She was so sensitive, always thinking of others before herself.
“She’s going to need you,” Melanie said.
The boys could look after her. Then he thought of the awful way Wyatt had treated her before he’d left for college. Perhaps assuming his sons would step up and help Callie was wrong. They had no idea how he’d taken Callie in years ago.
“Yuri isn’t just targeting our sons. He’s going after anyone close to them.”
He frowned at her words. “The boys should’ve never been dragged into this. This is my mission, my doing.”
“But they’re our sons.”
“Yes, they are.”
“Your enemies will go after Mia.”
He felt the weight of so many lives he was responsible for. He already carried the heaviness from the members of his murdered team. Not even revenge for what was done to them would release his burden. But that’s what happened to men like him.
His arms tightened around her. “I’m so tired.”
“You can do this.”
“I’m not so sure anymore.”
She kissed his chest. “You don’t have a choice.”
No, he didn’t. He’d paved his path, and he would reap the consequences.
“Remember, my love. Listen.”
She faded away, even as Orrin fought to hold her. He cried out, anger and fear consuming him once more.
Yuri stood over Orrin’s prone form with two men on either side of him. “He has a fever. Find a doctor immediately. I will not allow Orrin to die until he has seen what I plan for his sons.”