Chapter Thirty-Four
Addison
Logan passes the spacious kitchen before leading me up a spiral staircase.
The home’s walls are overcrowded with sentimental photos, and I pause mid-step when I see a picture of my dad and uncle together.
They’re younger as they smile at the camera.
It looks like they just finished fishing, and Uncle Ford’s arm is slung across my Dad’s shoulders.
I lift my hand to the memory, my fingers brushing over the glass encasing my Dad’s face. He’s frozen in time, remaining forever memorialized in the lives of those who loved him.
“Why didn't you tell me?” I ask quietly as grief sweeps over me.
“That was the year before you were born,” Logan says from ahead. “They went to the Missouri River to catch trout every fishing season. I’m sure you remember it…”
“I do,” my voice is thick with emotion, and I clear it before my hand falls, and I continue up the stairs.
Logan brings me down a corridor lined with elegant guest rooms, but my eyes focus straight ahead to the ajar office door at the end of the hallway. I can hear my mom’s low voice as she argues with my uncle.
I trudge past my cousin and push the door open harshly. The scene I walk into is unexpected.
My mom, the same height as me and dressed in light-washed Capri pants and a layered cardigan, steps away from my uncle, who is far too close to her, as they crowd near the oak desk. He was towering over her, leaning close as if they were sharing an intimate secret.
“Addie,” Mom clears her throat, brushing her short brown bob behind her ear. Her emerald green eyes, edged with crow’s feet, pin me with relief. “You’re okay—”
“What is going on here?” I can't just ignore what I saw. Not when everything is already so fucked.
Uncle Ford motions with his chin to Logan. “Close the door, son.”
My cousin complies, but I feel trapped. Whatever shit storm they’re about to release won’t keep me here. If anything, my intuition is telling me this is only going to push me further away.
But I need to know.
I cross my arms, speaking first. “So, you and Dad knew about the syndicate, but never said a damn word to me?”
Mom sighs, nervously playing with her fingers. “It’s complicated, Addie…”
“Complicated!” I scoff, throwing my head back as I rock on my heels. “Reeeal complicated, huh? So much so that you hid this from me!”
Her expression turns contemplative, her dark brows drawing down. “I was protecting you from this.”
I throw my hands out, a breathless laugh of disbelief slipping from me. “From what? From knowing that my family is involved in organized crime!”
Logan rolls his lips in, choosing to stay quiet at my outburst.
“I was protecting you from what your father went through!” Mom hisses before rubbing a hand across her mouth. Her anger dissipates quickly as her eyes turn glossy. “Addie, I'm sorry I kept this from you, but I didn't want you to end up like…”
Him.
Dead.
“He was murdered…” My voice trails, sounding as hollow as I feel. My Mom’s silence tells me all I need to know.
“There’s something else, Morgan.” My uncle urges, his eyes flickering between us.
Mom’s hand falls away from her face as she glares at him. “Not right now, Ford!”
My uncle’s jaw ticks. “She deserves to know.”
“Know what?” I ask.
My mother and uncle stare at each other before Mom shakes her head in disappointment. She runs her hands along the bridge of her nose before turning to face the window as if she can't stomach seeing the confession in real time.
“Addison,” my uncle takes a breath, his eyes that look so much like my Dad’s boring into me. “I’m your biological father.”
At first, I don't react. I don't even blink. Fuck, I don't even think I take a breath.
“Excuse me?” I mumble numbly.
Sadness bleeds into his features. “I’m your dad. My brother chose to raise you when I refused to give up my position as the Northwestern syndicate leader.”
I turn to look at my cousin, who is staring at his father like he’s been betrayed. “Did you know about this?” I accuse.
Logan shakes his head. “Not a fucking clue! Are you kidding me?! This whole time, we’ve been half-siblings and neither of you had the guts to tell us!”
Mom bristles, and I see the shame on her side profile clear as day.
“Face me,” I command, a torrent of emotions overwhelming what little fucking sanity I had left. “Look at me, Mom!”
Her tear-filled eyes crash with mine, and I see the years of lies and secrets flowing like a god damned river from her. Betrayal and gut-wrenching heartbreak lance my chest as I stare at the woman whom I trusted more than anyone.
I don't even know her anymore.
How could she keep something like this from me?
I can't even begin to describe the horrid realization that my Dad was never my biological parent.
My chest feels like it could cave in, and I could drop to my knees right here.
My legs could give out any moment from the tremors wracking my body, but I don't back down as I pierce my mother with despondency.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” My cruel whisper is loud in the space between us, echoing off the walls as if I haunt this home rather than the secrets buried here.
Mom’s face falls into regret, her lips wobbling. “I just wanted to protect you, Addie.”
“You didn't protect me from anything!” My voice crescendos, sounding grating and ragged. “You lied to me! My whole life!”
She shakes her head, more tears tracking down her cheeks. “I didn't want to lose you–”
“And what about Logan!” I throw a hand out to him. “You cared so much about me, but what about him!”
She whimpers, sliding her teeth across her bottom lip. “I tried…”
“Tried to what! Tried to save him? Because it sure doesn't look like it worked!”
“That’s enough!” Uncle Ford bellows. “Logan became a part of this because I forced him into it. It’s the rules of the syndicate, Addison.”
I point an accusing finger at him, chuckling bitterly. “Oh, you don't get to step in and pretend to be father of the year! Twenty-seven years, and not once did you say a word to me! We visited every year!”
“And it’s a regret I have to fucking bear!
” He slams his fist atop the wooden desk.
“I made a mistake letting your mother go.
I should have chosen both of you, but I was young and naive.
I made the wrong decision, and it led me to this.
I hate myself for not being there for you, but I couldn't let this organization go.”
I shake my head at him. “And why couldn't you choose your own daughter over this?”
The anger melts off of him, settling into a deep sadness I've never seen on my stoic uncle.
“Because it was either me or my brother. One of us had to stay behind, and he wanted out. We were both head over heels in love with your mom,” he glances at her, his eyes softening.
“I was callous and bound by duty while my brother, Maverick, was outgoing and charismatic. He was always the first one people noticed. They flocked to him, but your mom noticed me. While he tried desperately for her attention, she gravitated towards me. One thing led to another, and she found out she was pregnant with you. She knew about the syndicate and had a very hard choice to make. She didn't want you subjected to the assassin training. She didn't want to watch her only child suffer the way I had. As next in line for my father’s title, it boiled down to either me going on the run with her or sending someone else to watch over both of you. In the end, Maverick stepped up. He took my place, and I watched you grow up from the sidelines.” My uncle hangs his head. “I’ll never get those years back…”
This is a mental overload.
My uncle is actually my father, and I have a half-brother who I thought was my cousin. My own mother has been lying to me for years, and there’s no telling what else isn't true.
It’s too much.
“I would never replace your Dad,” Uncle Ford says quietly. “He was your father.”
A thick silence blankets us, almost suffocating me. I don't even feel like I can stomach looking my Mom in the eyes anymore.
I can see where she decided that keeping me separate from this lifestyle would have benefited me, but I can't accept it. She was doing all of this to protect me, but it doesn't make it right.
“I can’t believe you kept this from me,” Logan says, his whole demeanor radiating shock and resentment. “All of these years…”
“I’m sorry, son.” Uncle Ford apologizes. It sounds genuine enough, but my cousin isn't standing for it.
“Sorry can't fix this.” Logan sneers.
My uncle clears his throat. “No, it can't. Nothing can fix the damage that's been done, but we’re all here now. Hopefully, you kids can forgive us one day.”
That’s it?
He expects us all to just move past this?
I don't know what reality he’s living in, but it isn't the same one I'm from.
I wave a hand, feeling tired. “You can have this little pitty party without me. I need space.”
“Addie!” Mom calls before I can reach for the door. “Where are you going?”
“Wherever Rowan will bring me, that isn't here.” I spit.
“Kid,” Uncle Ford says with that rough authority that could make mere men shake in their boots. “You can't leave this compound.”
“Like hell I can't,” I mutter.
Logan presses a hand to the door, preventing me from opening it as he frowns. “I don’t like this any more than you do, but you can't leave with him.”
My head rears. “And why not?”
“Because he’s just as bad as them,” he motions to our parents. “What your mom did wasn't right, but keeping you safe was. Going with Kingsley is like accepting that your life is about to change, because it will. You’ll become a target to any enemies he has.”
My hand tightens on the door. “At least he was up front with me. He didn't lie about who he was.” I face my cousin—brother, staring into his eyes with conviction. “And I choose him over whatever the fuck this is.”
My mom gasps, but I still can't look at her.
“I need to speak with Kingsley,” My Uncle—father—whatever he is, interjects. “You’re now a part of this branch, and he needs to understand that.”
My teeth grind.
He’s going to use some outdated, ridiculous rule to keep me here, but I know Rowan won't stand for it. And neither will I.
“Fine,” I shrug. “But don't come running to me when he makes you eat your words.”