Page 127 of The Bronze Garza

“Oh,thank God,” he says through an exaggerated heave of breath. “That was exhausting. How do you and Trent do that all day long? Now I’ve got a damn migraine from all that glaring.”

I swear he’s the complete opposite of his twin. And an absolute pain in my ass.

Attention back to Henderson, I ask, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why didn’t you tell Eloise or Patrick you’d hired us to find Lyra?”

He blinks. Blows out a breath. Shakes his head. “Hell. I don’t know. Lysandra always told me she didn’t trust Eloise. And I guess, now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever really did either. Lysandra and I just kind of kept it to ourselves.”

“And why did you put them in your will?”

“Unh. Another good question.” Another heavy breath rushes out of him. “I did it to hold her off from nagging me about setting a wedding date. To be honest, I never really intended on marrying her. The only reason I proposed in the first place was because I foolishly thought it would bring Lysandra back. Ironic, huh? That I thought I was using her to make my ex jealous, only to find out she has me on the hook of a long con. And every horrible fate my daughter has survived is because of me.”

“You’re a victim as well as she is,” I tell him. “And you’re doing everything in your power to make things right, so don’t beat yourself up.”

He shakes his head, his eyes glossing over. “I don’t think I can do it. I can’t pretend with them. I—”

“You don’t have a choice,” I say firmly. “You’ll do it. Forher.”

He starts to shake his head no, then switches to a nod as a single tear falls. “For Lyra.”

“Get it together, man,” True says. “We’ve got you. But you’re gonna need to play your part and play it well.”

“Okay. Okay, I will.” With another nod, he stands. “Wait, are any of your men free?”

“What do you need?”

“Lyra, I need security on her. Is there any way you can make that happen without them knowing?”

“She’ll be protected.”

She’ll always be protected. With my life.

“Okay, good. Good.” His shoulders sag with relief. “Bill me for whatever all this will cost. And if you need anything for extra expenses let me know.”

As he starts to leave, my phone buzzes on the desk. I flip it over.

Lyra:I need one more day with you. Please.

Henderson’s almost out the door when I stop him with, “There’s something I need from you.”

Henderson looks over his shoulder at me. “What’s that?”

“Your blessing.”

He turns with a frown. “My blessing? For what?”

“To be with your daughter.”

“Holy shit,” True whispers. “You forgot to put this in the talking points, Guy.”

“Excuse me?” Henderson asks, his shoulders rising, squaring.

“Your daughter. I think...” I glance down at my phone again and feel a smile fighting forward, feel something akin to a pulse in my cold, dead heart. “I think I’m in love with her.”

And because I know it’s coming, and that I deserve it and more, I say out loud for True and Guy’s benefit, “Let it happen.”