He uncrossed his leg then flicked his wrist and tossed the photos on the glass table. They scattered out across the smooth surface, several sliding too far and falling over the edge and landing on the white ceramic tiles.
It took a second before my mind caught up with what I was seeing.
Then I broke.
I fell to my knees beside the table, eyes locked on the images of Connor.
Connor.
Oh, my God. The photos I’d taken at the orphanage of Connor. Some of them were of me and Connor. A few were of just me that Connor had taken.
I reached out unconsciously, forgetting Carlos watched me and skimmed the surface of the images with the tips of my fingers.
It had been seven years since I left him with a note. Seven. No, I never really left him. My body did, but I was still inside him. I left myself there.
I slowly sifted through the overlapping photos, my heart slamming into my chest as tears teetered on the edge of my lids. One slipped and fell, landing on the image of Connor holding a kid on his shoulders, his strong hands holding his legs as he kicked the ball. The five-year-old was laughing, eyes bright and filled with happiness.
Another of Connor crouched with kids all around him. He was wearing his gear as it was the day we arrived and I’d captured the photo just as a boy threw his arms around Connor’s neck, his eyes shining with wonder.
I jerked when Carlos tossed another photo onto the table.
When my eyes hit it, the tears finally fell in steady streams.
It was one of my favorites, Connor and me having our indoor picnic. Day five. The day I knew I’d fallen for him.
God, it was a lifetime ago. So surreal that sometimes I wondered if it had been real at all.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find these, Catalina?”
I jerked at the sound of his voice and a slow building terror cocooned me in its grip. No. This couldn’t be happening.
I shook my head. “Carlos. No. He’s not important. Please, it was a long time ago and he meant nothing.” My chest tightened with panic and I couldn’t breathe.
His brows lifted. “Pictures don’t lie, Catalina. You of all people know that. They tell a story. You always liked stories, although I’m not sure you’ll like the next one.”
I swallowed the bile threatening to rise. Oh, God. “He was nothing. We were nothing. We’ve never spoken again. Carlos, it was seven years ago.” Why would he do this now? What did he have to gain from going after Connor?
He sighed, leaned back on the white couch, the leather crackling under his weight. “An elite military soldier. Did you not think it was important to tell me about him seven years ago? What if he came after you? Caused difficulties for me and my business? For Vault.”
My heart pumped faster and my knees trembled. “He wouldn’t. He didn’t know where to find me. I ended it. I swear.”
His fist slammed down on the coffee table and photos scattered. “I asked you. And you lied to me,” he shouted.
Oh, God. When I returned to Colombia, he asked me if there was anyone I’d been seeing. I’d lied. I never told him about Connor because I knew what would happen. If he thought Connor was a threat, he’d kill him.
And now he knew about him.
Connor. Please, not Connor.
“A girl doesn’t keep pictures hidden of a man she cares nothing about.”
I’d put the SD card with the photos under the floorboards beneath my bed. How did he find it? When did he find it? “Carlos, please. It was so long ago and I’ve never spoken to him since.” Carlos nodded to Diego, who silently slipped out the door.
“It’s too late for please, my love.” My stomach plummeted. “Far, far too late. You see, Catalina. I found the SD card the day you put it under your floorboards. Do you think I’m stupid? You live in this mansion because I don’t make mistakes and I’m thorough with everything I do.” Oh, God. No. No. No. “But what are useless photos when you can have the real thing.” I choked back a sob as I tried to keep it together, but I failed as my world crumbled in front of me. “It took me a long time, a lot of resources and a lot of persuasion of Vault’s board in order to risk taking him. He had friends, military friends, but you see, I had a vision for Vault. And today you will see the result of that vision.”
“He’s a good man, Carlos. Please. Don’t hurt him.” I was full-out sobbing now as fear gripped me. No, it was stronger than fear. It was terror.
“You might want to rephrase that to was a good man.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I should thank you. With his training and background, he was a perfect test subject once the drug was ready and then… well, you will see how receptive he is to it. But today is the final test. Him seeing you again.”