Page 10 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Jake downed the warm cognac, Luca’s slightly astonished expression the only clue that the spirit was meant for sipping rather than shooting. But the consummate host, he simply refilled Jake’s glass without any fuss.

“So,” Luca started. “Shall we toast to brotherly bonds?”

Jake didn’t know if he could. He knew his anger was misplaced. None of this was the fault of the man across from him. But without Jake’s father there to curse, he needed an outlet. The best he could do was half-heartedly raise his glass and drain it again.

Taking Jake’s lead, Luca did the same and refilled both of their glasses.

“I have to say,” Luca admitted, “I was always waiting for a knock on my door.”

Jake started. “You expected your father had another family?”

Luca gave a sad smile. “No. But the way he disappeared, I had questions and hoped one day they’d be answered.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Jake replied.

Luca set his glass down. “Disappoint?” He shook his head vehemently. “You’ve done no such thing. You’re my brother. As an only child, even one in his thirties, it’s a dream come true. ”

“Tell me more about your family,” Jake prodded, this time sipping the cognac.

Luca shrugged. “I wish there was more to tell. You already know I never met our father. And my mother sadly died in an automobile accident when I was sixteen.”

“I’m sorry,” Jake offered.

“I married young. Marta, my childhood sweetheart. We had a daughter, Evaline. Marta didn’t get to meet her. She died in childbirth.”

Christ. Jake wished he hadn’t asked. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” Luca said. “We were young. Everyone told us it wouldn’t last. We never got the chance to prove them wrong.”

Jake couldn’t help admiring his half-brother’s obstinance. “And your daughter?”

“Evie?” Luca lit up, glancing at his watch. “She’ll be finishing school soon. I meet her at the bus stop each day and we walk home, stopping at our favorite patissier. Would you like to join us?”

Jake shook his head. He drained his cognac and stood. “I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time, Luca. Thank you for answering my questions. And for the drink.”

Luca stood, too. “When will I see you again?”

“I’m not sure you will.”

Luca opened his mouth to ask another question, but Jake didn’t give him the chance.

He needed to leave before he lost the ability to do so.

This wasn’t why he’d come to France. He wasn’t prepared to meet his half-brother, let alone like the guy.

Having a relationship with him? That was out of the question.

Anger coursed through Jake as he exited the apartment building.

As usual, he was pissed at a ghost. His father did nothing but leave a trail of destruction and betrayal in his wake.

He left Jake, his mother, and an entire other family without any regard for responsibility.

He should have to pay for his sins, but it was always Jake who paid.

It was Jake who would disappoint Luca, and Jake who would break his mother’s heart all over again when he shared this news.

This discovery also meant Jake would have to delay his trip to New Orleans to check on Dana. He was yet again a blameless bystander affected by his father’s transgressions.

When will it end?

Jake opened a flight app on his phone, typing Nevada’s airport code into the search screen. I found your husband, he had another family in France , wasn’t exactly a phone conversation. This was news Jake needed to deliver to his mother in person.