Free Last Breath by Brandilyn Collins, Amberly Collins Page B

bottom lip upward, puckering his heavy chin. “Rayne, you can’t blame yourself for what happened.”
    â€œIf I’d just stayed in the limo …”
    â€œOh, sure,” I retorted. “How about if Cat had stayed away from us, like he was supposed to?”
    Mom shook her head. “Shaley. Tell Ross what Jerry said.”
    â€œJerry?” Ross raised his eyebrows.
    â€œLater, Mom.” I didn’t want to have this conversation right now. Or ever. I picked up the blueberry muffin.
    Ross looked from me to Mom. “What’d he say?”
    â€œJust before he died, he whispered something in Shaley’s ear. He said ‘Your father sent me.’ ”
    Oh, great .
    â€œYour father ? Who is the guy?”
    Indignation banged around in my chest. All these years, Mom had kept that part of her life private, even from me. And now Ross expected an easy answer—just like that? No way, not before I’d heard the whole story myself.
    â€œWe don’t know where he is now. Mom hasn’t seen him since before I was born.”
    Ross’s jaw hardened. I knew the look—protective manager. He smacked his palms against his legs. “What’s his name?”
    My fingers curled around the muffin. This wasn’t fair.
    â€œGary Donovon,” Mom said.
    Ross mouthed the name to himself. “Why didn’t you tell me what Jerry said, Shaley?”
    â€œI didn’t—”
    â€œThere was no time, Ross.” Mom’s voice sharpened. “We’re telling you now.”
    â€œNo time? This is important! We got a madman out there, wanting you hurt!” He looked from me to Mom like we were both crazy. “Have you heard from the police this morning? Did they find him yet?”
    â€œI haven’t told them yet, Ross. And it’s not Mom’s fault—she didn’t even know till this morning. I was going to call them.”
    He gaped at me. “ How could you not tell the police?”
    â€œLeave her alone.” Mom’s face pinched. “She’s going to tell them now, that’s all that matters.”
    â€œAll that—” Ross shoved to his feet, his cheeks reddening. He picked up the chair, strode to the far wall, and jammed it down. Then stomped back and glared at me, hands low on his hips. “All right, Shaley, tell me what’s going on. Why did you keep this to yourself?”
    â€œRoss—”
    â€œBe quiet, Rayne!” He shot her a look, then his face softened. He shifted his weight. “Okay. You two have been through a lot. I’ll chalk this up to your brains being on overload. But Shaley, why didn’t you say anything?”
    â€œBecause I didn’t believe Jerry.” My voice sounded small. “I didn’t want to believe him.”
    â€œThat’s it, you don’t want to believe. Since I can be a little more objective, let me tell you what this means.” Ross’s voice rose. “I thought the danger to all of us was over once that killer was caught. Now I’m hearing Jerry didn’t act alone. That there’s a man out there somewhere who apparently has it in for you, Rayne, and at the very least wants to kidnap Shaley.”
    Mom’s eyes slipped shut. Her expression mixed fear and exhaustion. “I know.”
    I threw the muffin into the McDonald’s bag. Ross was right and I knew it, but I didn’t want to face it. And I didn’t like the accusations about my father coming from him . “Maybe Jerry wasn’t even telling the truth. He lied about everything else.”
    Ross flung his hands up. “You want to take a gamble on that?”
    No. But still … The father I never knew was being taken away from me before I could hear his full story.
    â€œWell, I sure don’t.” Ross jabbed a finger against his chest. “I’m in charge of this tour. Two people have already been murdered on my watch, Shaley. I