She didn’t remember moving—making the choice to move—but she was. And she didn’t stop until she was pressed tight against him. She held on, soaking up the strength and warmth only Jace could give her.
“I didn’t need to see the tape to believe you. I’ve always believed you. I always will.” His arms were tight around her. “Whatever you need.” It was a whisper.
The first wracking sobs were a surprise. She didn’t cry. Fine, that was a lie. Considering the tears she’d cried over the last week, it was clear she could cry. But she didn’t like it. This was different.
“It’s okay, Krys.” Travis was worried. “It’s okay now.”
She nodded, smothering her face against Jace. Get control. “I’m tired. This is a lot.”
Jace was rubbing her back. “That’s an understatement.”
“I know it is, baby girl.” Her father’s voice was soft. “I’m not saying the road will be straight and smooth from here on out, but there’s no denying his guilt. I admit, I can’t watch it, but according to Sawyer, all the proof we need is on this tape. Whoever sent this tape, they’re your guardian angel. One day, I hope I can thank them in person.”
Of course, Sawyer knew, too. Sawyer knew everything. Took care of them.
Squished as she was against Jace, she could see Sawyer. He stood by the door, quietly watching her father. It was a hard look, full of judgment and condemnation and anger. But there was something else, too. Raw and broken and desperate. She’d seen that look on Travis’s face more than once. A son, hungry for approval—even though they hated themselves for needing it.
Sawyer. A couple of years older than Travis. Same height. Same build. Sandy colored hair, not blond. Blue eyes, like her father.
Officer Ramos had planted the seed that horrible night in the hospital. A stranger had seen what was right there, staring them all in the face.
Gently, she pulled herself from Jace’s arms and headed straight for him. The moment he realized it, his expression cleared—blank and impartial. When they were toe to toe, she stared at him, studying every feature. He noticed, enough for his jaw to clench tight.
She shook her head. “Thank you,” her voice cracked.
And so did his blank and impartial shield.
She hugged him and he hugged back. One arm only, but strong and hard enough to lift her off the floor before he let her go. She knew, in her heart, who he was. How could she not? A King, yes. Her brother, too. And, she suspected, her guardian angel. She hoped, eventually, he’d let their father know that. But, for now, she’d leave things as they were. She, of all people, respected that everyone’s timeline differed when it came to working through personal baggage.
“If you’re all good here?” he asked, having a hard time looking any of them in the eye.
“You go on, Sawyer,” her father said. “Can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me and my family.”
Krystal saw the slightest tightening at the corner of Sawyer’s eyes. He nodded, glanced her way, and left the hotel room.
“He’s pretty cool,” Travis said. “You know he can play the guitar?”
Krystal smiled, walking back to her family and collapsing onto the couch. “Imagine that.” Music was in their blood. She had a brother. A big, burly, sort of scary brother. Which meant, somewhere out there, was a woman her father must have cared about.
“We’re lucky to have him,” her father said.
“We are.” She nodded, wondering if her father knew he had a son. It didn’t match with the man who had raised her—dedicated to his children. But then, she’d never imagined her daddy’s personal life before he met her mother. Now she had questions. Who was Sawyer’s mother? Had she been someone special? And why hadn’t Sawyer told their father?
“You okay?” Jace asked, his voice low.
She nodded, blowing out a deep breath. “More than okay. Is it wrong to say I’m hungry?”
“About time.” Travis reached for the phone.
“What does that mean?” She frowned.
“You’re getting skinny.” Emmy sat beside her, cuddling close.
“Strawberry shortcake,” Jace said, sitting on her other side. “It’s her favorite.”
Chapter 20
It was all like a carefully planned domino chain. The first one gets tipped, and they all go down, one on top of the other, faster and faster until the very last one. Over the next few days, five other women came forward.