“It hurt, but terminating my rights to you. I’d gotten pulled in all the wrong directions. I needed a solid kick, and your mother and Eli provided it. I may not have realized it at the time, but I realize it now. And in the process, you got a good father.” He looked from Jane to Dallas. “A good family.”
Jane leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she said, as Dallas’s gut twisted. Christ, he didn’t want it to be true. He didn’t want to learn that Colin was as bad as they suspected. That all this warm fuzzy talk was just a load of bullshit.
And there was Jane, laughing and talking as if Colin was one of the best men she knew.
He should tell her the truth about his suspicions. But then her smile wouldn’t be so bright, and for every moment from here on out, she’d look at Colin through different eyes.
How could he take that from her? Destroy that relationship? Twist it so radically?
He couldn’t. Not yet anyway. Not until he was sure.
For the next hour, he tried to slide back into the groove of the conversation, but he couldn’t get his mind off the job. He’d already planted a device in the kitchen and Colin’s bedroom—thanks to Colin’s offer to give them a tour of the house early on—but he still needed to hit the study. And he needed to tell Colin about Bill’s determination to poke into the Sykes kidnapping. Once he’d done that, he and Jane could leave.
He wanted to get her home. He wanted her in his bed. He wanted to lose himself in her and block out all the memories and all of his fears about Colin. About everything.
But first things first.
He leaned back in his chair and then casually turned toward Colin. “By the way, you should probably expect a call from Bill.”
Colin’s brows rose, and he looked toward Jane. “Bill Martin? Why?”
“Yes, why?” Jane put in.
Dallas kept his eyes on Colin, studying his face as he answered the question. “Because apparently he’s learned about the kidnapping. And he’s dead set on pursuing an investigation, working with the FBI, Interpol, I’m not really sure.”
“Really.” Colin’s mouth curved into a frown. “Well, I’m sorry,” he said, looking at both Dallas and Jane in turn.
“Sorry?” Jane asked.
“That he’s going to force you to dig it all up again. Make it harder for you.”
“For the whole family, I’m afraid,” Dallas said. “I’m sure he’ll want to interview everyone.”
Colin nodded. “Well, I’ll cooperate, of course. I want the bastard who did that to you caught and convicted, strung up by his goddamn balls. I just wish you didn’t have to rehash it all in order to make that happen.” He sighed. “If I could shield you both, believe me, I would.”
“We know,” Jane said, her expression soft. “And we appreciate it.”
Adele had been quiet through the conversation, and now she picked up her wine and took a sip before slowly shaking her head. “It sounds like an epic waste to me. Not that I don’t agree with the sentiment—whoever kidnapped you needs to be behind bars. But what on earth could they find now?”
Dallas kept his eyes on her, careful not to look at Colin. “I guess we’ll know when Bill tells us.” He pushed back from the table and stood. “I didn’t mean to put a damper on the conversation. I’m going to the kitchen for some coffee and to clear my head. Back in a few.” He started toward the door, but was halted by Adele’s hand brushing over his hip, then tugging on his shirt to stop him.
He frowned down at her as she handed him her coffee cup. “Could you be a darling and bring me a refill when you come back?”
“Sure.” He glanced at Jane and Colin. “Anyone else?”
With no other takers, he headed into the house, bypassed the bathroom, and headed straight for Colin’s study.
The device was easy to plant, and he adhered it to one of the bookshelves and then quickly left the room. As he did, he almost walked straight into Adele.
“Get lost?” She took a step closer. “Or were you looking for someplace private because you’re upset about Bill? Or maybe you’re looking for a way to take your mind off of it?” she added, stepping close and sliding her palm down his arm.
He shrugged her off. “Stop it.” They were done. They had been for a long time.
She lifted a shoulder. “You’re so rigid. Always following the rules.”
“You know better than that. But I’m not breaking any with you. Not now. Not anymore.”
“Fair enough.” Her eyes danced with mischief, the small lines at the corner the only indication of her age. “If you weren’t looking for a tryst, then what were you doing in the office?”
“Trying to figure out how he set up that wireless sound system that he told us about. I want to do something like that for my home gym.” He started back toward the kitchen.
“So now you’re a handyman, too?” She patted his ass, and he twisted away from her touch. “Just pull out this nice, hefty wallet and pay someone to hook it up for you.”