Hailey's Truth

by Cate Beauman

  Austin had risked his life to save her. They had all risked their lives to save her. Would Austin resent her even more for that? He’d warned her—too many times—of what her brother had been, of what Donte had been, but she didn’t listen. And even though they left Mexico Austin’s life was still on the line. If the authorities were able to connect what he’d done to set her free from the Zulas—because surely, that was what he’d done—he would go to prison forever. Or worse.

  Their relationship would be different—awkward, tenuous. There were layers of hurt. Trust had been broken on both sides. Surely too much to recover from. They’d started their affair with intensity, with passion, and ended it the same way. Nothing would ever be the same between them, but she certainly owed him a thank you and an explanation as to why she’d gone to the yacht in the first place—for what it was worth.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Sarah asked, brushing a piece of hair behind Hailey’s ear.

  “I think I have to or I’m going to make myself crazy.”

  Morgan pulled another cushioned chair to the massive tub. “Let us have it.”

  And she did.

  Twenty minutes later, as the bath water cooled, Sarah clutched Hailey’s hand. Morgan offered a fresh tissue.

  “I don’t know where to go from here.” Hailey blew her nose. “I’m pretty much starting my life over. I don’t know how to feel about Jeremy. On one hand, I love him. On the other, I hate who he was. My brother was a lie. I’m ashamed I feel more relief than sadness that he’s gone. What kind of person does that make me?” She wiped at her streaming eyes.

  “I’d say it makes you perfectly normal,” Sarah said, squeezing gently on her hand. “He wasn’t a nice person, Hailey. He did terrible things. He would’ve continued to do them. You don’t have to feel bad for not being able to overlook that. God knows you tried.”

  Hailey nodded, finding solace in Sarah’s words. She stared down at her bubbles, drew her knees up, and wrapped her free arm around her legs, her heart still heavy.

  “What else?” Morgan encouraged. “There’s more. Spill it all, Hailey. That’s what we’re here for.”

  She sighed. “I don’t even know where to start. My college credits are in jeopardy. I don’t have a single dime to my name, but above all else, Austin’s gone. I’ve lost him. I love him so much, and he doesn’t want me.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Morgan tossed her tissue in the trash. “I’m pretty sure the man standing in here a few minutes ago was falling all over himself with worry.”

  Sarah nodded. “Austin may be upset with you, but he’s still very much in love. He looks at you the way Hunter looks at Morgan, the way Ethan looks at me.”

  “So what should I do?” She sniffed.

  “Nothing,” Morgan said.

  Hailey frowned.

  “At least not right now,” Sarah added quickly. “Give yourself some time. Give Austin some time. You’ve been through a lot, honey. Take a breath. Heal. Steady out a bit and find your feet again.”

  “Austin loves you, sweetie,” Morgan smiled. “He’ll wait. I promise.”

  Hailey huffed out a breath and flipped the lever for the drain. “Okay. I’ll take care of myself for a while. See what I can salvage later.” She stood and wrapped herself in the soft cotton.

  “And you’ll do it from here. I’m not letting you out of my sight for at least two weeks— definitely not until we get your finances straightened out.”

  Hailey stared at her friend. “Sarah, that’s not necessary.”

  “I disagree. You were there for me during some of the worst moments of my life. I’m returning the favor.”

  Hailey’s lip wobbled, her emotions still unsteady. “You’re going to get me going again.”

  “Go in. Get dressed. We’ll have breakfast on the deck downstairs.”

  Hailey nodded. “Okay.”

  Sarah and Morgan left her alone to change. For the first time in three days, Hailey relaxed, could hear herself think. She’d take Sarah up on her offer, and for once, let someone else take care of her. Of course, she’d do her share, but it wouldn’t hurt to take a few days and work on putting the pieces of her life back together.

  Hailey pulled a pair of sweats from the drawer, another baggie t-shirt, and dressed, ready to start the slow process of rebuilding. The first step had already been taken. She’d poured her soul out to her two best friends and was lighter for it. She would take another and go down to help with breakfast instead of crawl under her covers and hide from the world.

  Austin found Ethan in the kitchen devouring a double stack of pancakes. The thought of eating soured his stomach. “I’m going to head out.”

  “Sit down. Pull up a chair.” Ethan gestured to the seat next to his. “You look like hell.”

  He felt like hell. “Nah, I need to go.” He started toward the door, unable to stop thinking about Hailey—so bruised, so broken. Her screams for her brother still haunted him.

  “Hunter called.”

  That stopped him cold. There would be a mountain of paperwork to deal with. Maybe if he focused on the details, he could get his mind off Hailey. “What did he say?”

  “Come sit down and I’ll tell you. Grab a cup of coffee while you’re at it.”

  Austin eyed Ethan. “I don’t want coffee.”

  “Then just come sit you’re a—” he glanced at Kylee, “butt down.”

  “Sit your butt down, Austin.” Kylee repeated, making Ethan wince.

  Austin chuckled for the first time in too long.

  “Kylee, don’t say that,” Ethan corrected. “Daddy made a mistake.”

  “Okay.” Kylee nodded. “Have a bite of my pancakes.” She held out her fork to Austin, bursting with pride. “I made them with daddy.”

  His stomach shuddered. “Oh, no thanks, honey.”

  Kylee’s eyes watered, her lip trembled as she set her fork down.

  God, how did Ethan and Sarah ever say “no”? Kylee used that pouty look like a weapon—swiftly and effectively. “Okay. I’ll try a bite.”

  She grinned, held the fork up again. Austin slid a small square of sweet, moist pancake in his mouth. The home cooked food settled him. “Not bad,” he said as he chewed. “Not bad at all, kid.”

  She beamed, held up another bite. “Have more.”

  He obliged her and himself by taking the offering. “I think I’ll have a plate after all.”

  “Maybe we can talk about work when you’re done stuffing your face,” Ethan said without heat as he looked at his daughter, smiled, and winked.

  Austin piled his plate high, filled a glass with orange juice, another with milk, too at home to feel rude. He took his seat, slathered his breakfast with butter and syrup, and dug in.

  “You ready now or should I make you some bacon to go with it?”

  “No, this is good,” he said over a mouthful. “Enough about breakfast. Let’s talk business.” He smirked.

  “As I was saying, Hunter called. Collin just left with our new guests for the Colorado safe house. They’ll be far enough into the mountains; no one should ask questions while we get everything figured out.”

  “What are we going to do with them?”

  “I’m already working on that. After we get confirmation everyone is—” he glanced at Kylee again, “no longer with us, we’ll work on setting the families up somewhere in Europe. I’m going to push for Political Asylum. It might be a stretch but many countries are willing to accept victims of sexual persecution. I’m hoping I might be able to tug some strings in Spain. We guard several government officials at our branch there. I’ll put in a few calls this afternoon. Hopefully we can get the mothers work, the girls some counseling, get them into school. I don’t foresee them heading into a bar again anytime soon.”r />
  Austin grunted as he swallowed down half his orange juice.

  “I got a call from Dr. Lopez while you were upstairs. So far it appears our objective was a success. Apparently they found an arm floating in the water with a watch on it similar to Donte’s. It’ll take awhile to get the DNA back, but I don’t think we have to worry. That was more than a lethal blast to anyone within a hundred yards.”

  Austin hesitated with his next bite as Hailey’s scream echoed through his mind again. He put the fork down. “We did the right thing, right?”

  Ethan frowned. “What kind of question is that? We did the only thing. There weren’t any other options.”

  “I know.” He scrubbed his fingers over his chin. “I know,” he repeated. “She never would’ve been free. They would’ve gotten to her eventually.”

  “And you, my friend. Probably all of us. You know how big they were on retaliation. They would’ve made her suffer before they finished her. Stop for a second and think about who means more to Hailey than anyone else in this world.”

  Austin’s gaze left Ethan’s, traveled to Kylee as she happily shoved a bite in her mouth. The thought was so unbearable, so disgusting, it was almost unbelievable such cruelty existed. But it did.

  “You think about that the next time you start to question yourself. Ask yourself if you could’ve lived with that. I know I sure as hell couldn’t. I won’t have any problems sleeping in my bed tonight knowing my girls are safe; my wife is safe and so is Hunter’s. We did this as much for Hailey as everyone else. Those bastards are dead. I don’t plan to waste another moment worrying about it. My conscience is clear. I hope yours is too.”

  Ethan was right, absolutely right. Everyone he considered family was safe. The woman he loved was alive. They could all move on.

  So why did he still feel wretched inside? Austin flicked a glance to the stairs. Because Hailey was upstairs and she wasn’t his anymore. Never would be. He’d killed her brother; Hailey would never be able to forgive him. “I need to get out of here, man. I need to clear my head for awhile.”

  “It’s interesting you should say that.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “We just accepted a new contract with the Feds. I need someone to check it out before I sign my name on the dotted line. I’m thinking about sending Jackson and Tucker, but I want everything seen to first. Our little adventure in Mexico will be the first and last time we take anyone’s word on accommodations.”

  “Where?”

  “Southeastern Kentucky.”

  Austin’s brow shot up. “Kentucky? What the hell’s in Kentucky?”

  “Appalachia, my friend. The first lady’s new pet project. She wants to pick up where Robert Kennedy left off, and the locals aren’t real happy.”

  Austin shook his head. “You lost me.”

  “Kennedy wanted to bring aide to the people of Appalachia. The poverty levels are shocking from what I’ve researched. The first lady is pushing for a three-year grant to bring teachers to the area—doctors, dentists, etcetera, etcetera. The goal is to get the place back on its feet. Drugs are rampant, the poverty, as I said, astounding, and several of the clans in the area aren’t thrilled with being the first lady’s project. They’ve already burned down a structure. Threatened to kill anyone who comes.”

  “Three years is a long time.”

  “Yeah, it is. I don’t expect our men to stay. I’m thinking six month stints, then we’ll cycle them out.”

  “So, you’re happy with Tucker’s work so far?”

  “Surprisingly, yes. For someone who almost got my wife killed, he’s done well. He completed all of the training at the top. Having another agent with a police background is a huge advantage for us. The clients he’s worked with are pleased. I can’t complain.”

  “Good. I like him. He’s a good guy. Other than the part about almost getting Sarah killed.”

  “I’ve chalked it up to police procedure. I’m mostly over it.”

  “So, when do I leave?”

  “Take a few days first.”

  “No.” Austin shook his head. “I want to go as soon as possible.”

  “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Ethan said in a singsong voice as he glanced at the ceiling.

  “I need to smooth it out. I really messed her up.”

  “Been there, done that.” Ethan slapped a hand on Austin’s shoulder in a show of support. “You guys’ll be all right. Go home. Get some sleep. Book yourself a flight. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.”

  He and Hailey definitely wouldn’t be all right, but he left it alone. “E-mail me the details. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Austin piled his dishes, scooted back from the table.

  “Get me some preliminaries. I’ll send Jackson along next week.”

  “Sounds good.” He stood and walked over to Kylee. “Thanks for breakfast.” He kissed her forehead. “You’re a good cook.”

  Kylee smiled.

  Morgan and Sarah’s voices trailed down the hallway. Hailey wouldn’t be far behind. He wasn’t ready to see her. There was too much to say, too much on the line to get it wrong. He would take his two weeks, stay busy, and try to work it all out. Austin put the dishes in the dishwasher. “See you, man.”

  “Your keys are on the hook in my office.”

  “Thanks.”

  Chapter 27

  HAILEY WALKED INTO HER APARTMENT for the second time that day. She shoved her keys in her purse and set her bag on the small entryway table as she glanced around at the boxes she’d packed throughout the morning.

  Jeremy’s items sat in a corner for donation, except for the two or three things she was keeping. She twisted the pretty pearl ring she discovered among the loose change scattered in his top drawer—the one she’d treasured from her mother, the one she’d given to Jeremy with a promise she hadn’t been able to keep.

  Among the debris in his closet, she found a tattered picture of she and him taken so many years before. She had stared at the photograph for a long time, studying the living room she remembered from her childhood; the seven-year-old boy with hopeful eyes and her herself, grinning, confident, ready to take on the world. Then she came across the three-by-seven family portrait, the last one taken before their lives were ripped apart.

  Her mother had been so beautiful, so kind. Her dad so strong and sure. And their children: Hailey Roberts and Jeremy Kagan—two stunning kids—a testament to what good, loving people could do for lost souls. Or one anyway.

  Over the last two weeks, Hailey had come to realize that as much as her parents tried, Jeremy had needed so much more of their time. He’d been broken, perhaps broken beyond what love was able to fix. Jeremy had been a sweet child, so full of potential, so capable of being more than he’d chosen to be. But the lights had gone out for her brother the day their parents met their fate on a dark, icy road. He’d stopped fighting the odds of being just one more broken kid in the system.

  She hadn’t. Life had thrown her several cruel pitches, yet she made something of herself. Perhaps things weren’t turning out the way she wanted, but she would keep going because that’s what she did.

  The time Hailey spent with Sarah and Ethan over the last several days put life back in perspective. She’d come to terms with her feelings about Jeremy. She would always love him—or the parts of him that saved family pictures and heirlooms, the boy that had been her little brother all those years before.

  Hailey had picked out and arranged for a gravestone to be placed next to her parents. The marker would offer closure and symbolize her goodbye to the young boy she had adored with all her heart. She’d done all she could to try to save him from himself, but in the end, he’d been a grown man responsible for the life he made.

  Ethan had helped her resolve her financial issues. She was officially
back in the black. She still had her friends—the family she’d made with the Cookes and Phillips. She still had her job. Her college career was a big fat question mark, but Hailey was prepared to fight anyone who called her a thief.

  That left Austin. He was the one dark spot in her life—the one person she couldn’t find any resolve for, any closure. Morgan and Sarah had assured her of Austin’s love, but sometimes love wasn’t enough. He vanished when they got home. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since he deposited her on her bathroom floor—not that she actually expected to.

  How long would it be before she could think of him and not want him, not need him? Would she ever stop mourning what they would never have? She missed him, loved him, and could only be grateful for the sacrifices he made for her—for all of them.

  She needed to thank him, to apologize, to try to make things right—make everything a little easier, at least. But he had to come back first.

  With a long sigh, Hailey picked up the next empty box, wandered to her small shelf of flowery knickknacks, and got to work. The decision to move in with Ethan and Sarah hadn’t come lightly, but it made the most sense. She couldn’t afford her apartment without a roommate, and it would be easier all around with Ethan’s busy schedule and Sarah taking on jobs here and there.

  She paused when she heard a knock on the door. She set down the sheet of packing paper, walked to the door, peeked through the security hole. Hailey’s heart tumbled in her chest as she stared at Austin. “Holy crap,” she muttered.

  She wasn’t prepared for this. He wasn’t supposed to be home for a couple more days, or so Ethan had told her. Well, he was here now. “Okay.” Hailey shook out her hands, trying to relieve her nerves. “Okay,” she said again as she held a hand to her shuddering stomach, took a deep, calming breath. She pressed her lips together, twisted the knob.