“Always, brother. As for Candace, I think it's time to talk to her about her father and uncle.She deserves to know something after today."
They both agree with that.
I look toward the stairs when I hear her shuffling around in my room.Massimo and Tristan look too.
I stand. “I’m gonna go take care of her.”
“We’re going to head out,” Massimo says and they both stand.
“I’ll call you guys later.”
“Sure.”
Once they’re gone, I brave the task of heading upstairs, not sure what state I’m going to find Candace in.
I open the bedroom door and see her sitting by the window.When she looks at me, I remember her back in Stormy Creek sittingby her window in her parents' house.
She looks at me when I walk in.When I get over to her and take her hand, she grabs mine with both of hers like she wants me to stop her from falling.
I reach for the nearest chair, set it in front of her, and sit.Placing my free hand on top of hers, I try to reassure her, and stroke over the silky skin of her knuckles.
“I’m sorry about today, Angel,” I tell her."I know it was hard for you."
Her eyes are so puffy and red I can’t read her reaction.
“I… never thought I’d see him again.”
“Do you want to talk to me about it?”
She sighs on a labored breath and lifts her shoulders.“I need to.”
“Okay.” That’s positive. “So, we’re talking about a man called Tobias Navarro.You saw his picture today because we believe he’s one of the men who signed the contract to wipe out the Syndicate.”
“Have you seen him?”
“No. I haven’t, and I don’t know if he’s even in L.A, but it’s very likely.”
“God. Dominic, he was sent to kill my family."
"I know. Rest assured we will be looking for him and anybody else involved." I nod with determination.Now it's time to tell her what's going on."Candace I came across his name on a list days ago.That's where I also saw your father's and uncle's names.Tobias is a human trafficker. I think that maybe the job your father was doing was that."
I can actually see her heartbreaking.I can almost hear it. As it shatters at the dark news, I realize why I wanted to preserve the memory Candace had of her father.It was because we had such a tough childhood.Our parents are the only good things we have from it.
"Human trafficking, Dominic?" She can barely form the words.
"Yeah. Bear in mind I'm not a hundred percent, but I think what we have is pretty solid."
She wipes away a tear with the heel of her hand.
"I can't believe it."
"I know. I'm guessing he would have been desperate to take a job like that.We never understand why people do the things they do."
"Thank you for being kind to me." She sniffles.
"That's okay, Angel." I give her hand a gentle squeeze."When you first saw Tobias, was he with your father?"
Her hand stills. "Um..."