Page 98 of Torch’s Wildfire

“He admitted it?”

I nod.

“And he said someone else died. Someone they used to make it look like he'd been killed.”

Torch's expression hardens.

“Then the police have another death to investigate.”

“He didn't care, Torch. About any of it. Not even when he found out who I was.”

Torch takes my hand.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart.”

I look down at our fingers.

“I spent so long wanting to find him.”

“I know.”

“And he turned out to be exactly the kind of man Mom would've wanted me to stay away from.”

He brushes his thumb over my knuckles.

“Sounds like Teresa knew what she was doing.”

I smile through the last of my tears.

“Yeah. She usually did.”

We sit quietly for a moment.

Then Torch sighs.

“You scared the living shit out of me when you disappeared.”

“I know. I'm sorry I left without telling you.”

His hand tightens around mine.

“I'm sorry I made you feel like you couldn't tell me.”

I look at him.

“I needed space, Torch. I still need to be able to make my own decisions.”

“I know.”

“And you can't keep things from me because you think you're protecting me.”

“No more of that.”

“Promise?”

He meets my eyes.

“Promise.”