Page 96 of Faded Gray Lines

“Say it, Leighton.”

She swallowed hard, and the trembling stopped. “I was pregnant.”

Releasing her hands, I sat back on my heels. “Show me.”

Reaching behind her, she pulled a worn photo from her back pocket. She stared at it lovingly before turning it around. The moment my eyes landed on the little girl in the picture, I grabbed my chest. If I’d been standing, the image would’ve brought me to my knees.

She wore a pink tank top and held a bunch of wildflowers in her little hands. Her long dark hair was swept over one bronzed shoulder, and her expressive dark brown eyes crinkled at the corner with obvious love for her mother. It felt like the breath had been knocked out of me. Staring at this picture was like staring into a mirror.

All except for her wide dimpled grin. The one that lit up her whole face. The one that screamed innocence and light. That was all Leighton.

“She’s beautiful,” I choked out.

“She has your eyes. You have no idea how confusing it is to love something so much who looks exactly like someone who destroyed you.”

I traced her face, still mesmerized. “How old is she?”

“She turned three in January.”

“What’s her name?”

“Stella,” she said, tilting her head to stare along with me. “Actually, her name is Estella. It’s a Spanish name. I picked it because it means—”

“Little star,” I finished for her.

She nodded, but she didn’t have to. Even through our separation, she’d found a way to keep our love alive.

“Estella...” I hesitated, not daring to hope.

“James. Estella James.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Not Harcourt?”

She shook her head, her expression darkening. “You weren’t the only reason I left Houston, Mateo. I’ve already told you, I’ll do anything it takes to protect my family. I wasn’t about to let Finn get anywhere near another young girl. My grandparents helped me through everything. They supported me, so I couldn’t think of a better way to honor them and protect Stella than using my father’s name.”

“And she’s why you came back to Houston without a fight?”

Leighton nodded again. It was as if unloading the secret she’d harbored alone freed her. “Alex promised to keep Stella and my grandparents in protective custody as long as I cooperated. After what happened with Luis, I couldn’t risk it, Mateo. We’d be on the streets if it weren’t for my grandparents. They saved us. I’d give up my life for Stella, but I won’t risk hers.”

Tucking the picture inside my jacket pocket, I rose to my feet, pulling Leighton with me. Running my fingers through her hair, I tilted her chin up. “You don’t have to give up your life for her. I’ll lay down mine for both of you.”

“You don’t even know her,” she said, glancing down.

“I don’t have to. She’s my daughter, and I’ll kill anyone who comes near her.” I’d never fail either of them again. “This isn’t over, Leighton. She’s in danger.” Taking a breath, I said the words I knew would devastate her. “You weren’t Luis’s target. She was.”

“I know,” she said without a trace of shock.

It was the last thing I expected to hear.

“You do?”

She nodded. A shadow clouded her eyes, and in them, I saw the wheels turning inside a changed woman. “I saw Emilio too, remember? He knows Alex is hiding her, but now I can’t get in touch with Alex. I’m tired of reacting, Mateo.”

“This is going to end,” I promised her. “When all this is over, no one’s going to take either of you away from me again.”

“Show me.”

“What do you need?” I asked, wanting to hear her say the words.