"I don't understand." I shook my head. "That doesn't make sense." I continued, my voice louder, "He gave me up because he was protecting me, but then he went ahead and raised you?"

Kael winced at the tears that poured following this statement. His expression held some regret before he looked away respectfully. "I can't explain his actions, Harper, only he can. All I can say is, in his own way, he thought he was doing you a favor. He wanted you to be normal, live a happy life away from all this, have a career, get married, have a family..." he paused, "To him, giving you up was a demonstration of his love. He said it's the hardest thing he's ever had to do."

"How did he know I would be ok? I could have ended up in a broken home, abused, pregnant at sixteen. That's not unheard of, you know. Those orphanages and foster homes aren't anything to brag about. Maria finding me was a miracle, really."

He nodded, "I know, I know. He kept tabs on you though."

"He did?" I had never thought about my birth parents keeping track of me in my many homes. I glared at Kael. I wanted to hate him so much. It wasn't his fault that my father had some warped sense of nobility. It wasn't his fault that he had effectively replaced me in my father's life. I realized at that moment that he was much more than some thug that my father had sent. He was a part of my life, a piece of my shadowed past.

I remembered the first time we met, the first time he saved me. Something he had said, suddenly surfaced in my mind. "When you saved me in that alley, in London?"

He nodded, seeming surprised at the change of topic.

"You said that it was 'your job' or something? That 'he sent you' I think?"

"Did I? How do you remember so much? And to think I was worried you had a concussion."

"So did he?" I pressed.

"Mmm. When this whole thing went down with the shipment a few months ago," he made a broad swoop with his hand, "he knew it was going to get bad. He'd always told me about his daughter, where you were, what you did. Even how you'd taken to calling yourself 'Harper' instead of 'Caraleena'. I think that bothered him, actually."

I shrugged. "Good. It's ridiculous; more of a sentence than a name."

He shook his head and went on. "About a month ago, he told me I had to protect you, stay with you until this was sorted out. He knew they'd be looking for leverage. You would provide the perfect bargaining chip."

He reached down to hold his side, appearing to brace for a muscle spasm of some sort. "When I got up the next morning, he was gone. Just like that. I looked everywhere. I knew his usual hideouts fairly well. Nothing. Finally, I gave up and put the place up for sale. Figured, why not? That should bring him back." I remembered what he had told me earlier, over dinner, about my father's wish to leave me the house. Interesting, considering Kael seemed to think he also intended have Kael run the business after his death. Kael went on, "So I went to find you."

He tilted his head to the side, studying me, "You know I'd been following you since you got off that plane at Heathrow? Yeah. I knew all about that little meeting with Garrett. Apparently, they were using him to find you. Unfortunate he had to be so clever."

I found it a little disheartening to think I had been stalked for a week and not even known it. Nevertheless, I couldn't fault him for it. I was alive as a result.

"I see." I didn't have anything else to say at the moment. I needed time to process. In truth, I was surprised he had shared so much with me. It occurred to me that he could be planning my demise. If that were the case, any amount of information he offered would be insignificant. He could kill me right here. Garrett was sleeping peacefully upstairs. He would never hear my screams.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked suspiciously.

"Because you asked." Keeping his arm in place holding his side he leaned toward me whispering. "Again, can we not share everything with Garrett?"

When I remained silent he went on. "I told you because I want you to trust me. I told you I'd be honest with you. But the old man specifically asked me to tell you nothing." I looked down in my lap, not sure what to say. I couldn't say no.

"Alright." I agreed softly with downcast eyes.

"Thanks." We sat there in silence for a moment, him holding his injury. I could feel him watching me. I was studying my lap, lost in thoughts of my past.

"Want me to show you something?" he asked suddenly.

"Why?"

"I think it might be a good idea." He stood up, giving me a hand off the couch. I wondered what time it was and if we'd been sitting down here half the night. I couldn't believe the terrible discoveries I had made tonight about my past. Unfortunately, disappointment was inevitable when your father ran a logistical hot spot for criminals.

I followed him down the hall the way I had come, turning down numerous corridors. I had the impression we were following my earlier footsteps exactly. Even though I had been focusing so intently on finding my way, I knew I would have had trouble getting back. I was rather surprised when we arrived at our destination, the entrance to the home. The moonlight came through the window above the door, illuminating the marble floors, lighting our way.

Kael turned on a small lamp on one of the hall tables and strode over to one of the portraits, motioning with his hand. The massive painting went nearly from floor to ceiling. A man, probably in his early forties, sat on a simple wooden chair with a dog at his feet. His face was unsmiling, yet undeniably handsome. I came closer, looking at the small plaque at the base of the frame. Gideon Harper. My eyes widened.

"This is him?" I took a few steps back to look at his face again. His face was almost familiar to me. The eerie feeling of deja vu kept my eyes pinned to his image.

"Sort of. I mean this was a while ago obviously and doesn't have the scar." Kael joined me in studying the man's portrait.

"What scar?" I asked, glancing at Kael.

Kael drew a line with his index finger from his chin up the right side of his face.

"Ugh." I couldn't imagine how that might look on this character, but with his strong features and square chin, he might be able to wear it well enough.

"How?" I asked.

"Madeline."

"Really?" A twinge of horror swept through me. Kael had said she was awful, but I had a feeling I didn't know the half of this woman's evil. I turned back to the painting, mesmerized by the first sighting of one of my parents.

Besides our mutual brown hair, I failed to see any similarities between myself and this person. My hair had been highlighted for the wedding, but it usually sported a rich dark brown color not unlike this man's. However, my features didn't have the roughness to them that Gideon Harper had. His eyes had been portrayed as blue. Mine were brown. Though awed by the portrait, I felt some disappointment in his lack of genetic similarity.

I suddenly remembered another question I had wanted to ask him, "Do you know who my mother was?"

He shrugged. "I don't think he ever married." He must have seen my face fall because he went on, "I don't believe she had anything to do with the people in the shipments. We have a strict no fraternizing rule. Kept it himself I believe."

My eyes squinted closed against the images his words inspired. The last thing I wanted was my mother to be a poor faceless creature that had lived a life of hopeless despair never knowing where her daughter was. I wondered if Kael had been so obedient. To a sick, twisted mind it must be hard to see wealth, drugs, and women travel through your home frequently without wanting to dabble in a little yourself. I decided he probably hadn't. He had never done anything even remotely inappropriate to me. In fact, he hardly touched me unless there was a good reason. However, if he weren't trying to gain my trust as he had admitted he was, perhaps he would behave quite differently. I hated that I found myself in this position, siding with a criminal. But unfortunately, I didn't have a choice.

I was disturbed from my revelry by Kael's watch. I hadn't noticed the black, military style device before it started beeping incessantly. Kael was quick to silence it. When he looked at me his features had tensed. Gone was the man who had stood here reminiscing his childhood moments ago. His look was intense, almost automated now.

"Security breach." He breathed. "Not good. Wait here." He took off down the hall leaving me standing motionless, sick to my stomach. What if it was Madeline?

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And Kael's off! Do you think Harper is safe? I love hearing your thoughts in the comments! And don't forget to vote if you're enjoying the story. Thanks Wattpadders :)

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