At seven o’clock sharp, there’s a knock on the door. I wait several beats as our eyes meet.

“Go ahead.” She says, worry written all over her face.

I reach out to cup her face. “I’ve got you.”

Her smile reassures me that she will be alright.

“Come in,” I invite Steel in, and step aside. I’m surprised to see Alex trail in behind him. Suddenly a dull ache begins in my gut. I try to ignore it.

“Have a seat.” Directing them into Eden’s great room, I shoot her a sideways glance.

Everyone takes a seat.

“Something to drink?”

Everyone declines, and something tells me that this is the calm before the storm.

“Your speech at the event the other night…” Steel speaks up as he claps his hands together silently, his forearms leaning on his knees.

“Yes.” A cloud of curiosity has battled its way into my beating heart.

“You mentioned your past, sir. The accident, in particular.”

“Yes.” It’s the only word my brain seems to be able to articulate.

“I did a preliminary search for that period of time.”

“What are you saying, you investigated me?”

“Well, sir… I research everyone I work with. I’m GWOT.”

“GWOT? Global War on Terrorism? How is that related to me?”

“Well, sir… It’s not, exactly. It’s because of your sister.”

Paralyzed by his words, a lump forms in my throat, but I know I have to force the question.

“My sister died when she was five.” Those details of the past are written in stone, literally. I know all too well, because I was the one who let her die. She’s gone.

“Sir, I have conflicting evidence on that fact. I believe she may actually be alive.”

A kind of sorrow replaces his current expression, as if he understands the turmoil he is inflicting.

“She died.” I spit back the only truth I know. I find myself spinning out of control.

Eden’s eyes fly up to meet mine as she rushes to my side.

“Of course, we’ll need proof, but I’ve discovered compelling evidence and a solid time line of events. The dates line up. Her age, her first name.”

“First?” Disbelief and defiance erupt in me. This can’t be happening. I feel empty, numb, but inside, my heart soars. While I understand the words, I’m still terrified to believe them. Suddenly I am drawn back to the night I lost her, and the devastating guilt I have lived with my entire life. How can I possibly believe this is true, and risk having my heart ripped out again?

“She was adopted, and her father is in the Marine Corps, a lifer. This fact allowed me access to sensitive material that lead me to believe that she is alive and well. She’s living under the name Madison Perry.”

At the mere thought of this terrifying revelation, I draw in a sharp, startled breath, then immediately feel sick. I need space, and air. I begin to pace aimlessly as a flood of unpleasant memories flash through my mind. Passing the fireplace, I pause, reaching out, putting my hand on the mantel. I fight for control, resting my head on my forearm. This is life-changing for me. I need to do something. But what?

“We’ll figure this out, Theo, don’t worry.”

Alex’s words of comfort do nothing to rescue me from my inner termoil. I look over my shoulder at three pairs of questioning eyes.

“What if you’re wrong?” I ask, feeling disoriented and in a haze of uncertainty. Common sense tells me it can’t be true, but I’m still confused as hell, gripping my pounding head as it aches in fury.

“We’ll need proof, of course. DNA is a possibility,” Steel suggests.

“Give me a moment,” I say in a groggy voice, trying to wrap my head around the news that she’s alive. I’ve buried it so deep within me, and now I am imagining the unthinkable.

“I’ll take that drink now. How about you, Theo?” Alex asks.

I nod without a sound.

“Does she know? Have you approached her?”

My words echo through the room as I abruptly turn to see concern written on everyone’s face.

“No, the plan was to approach you first. Come up with a strategy, then move forward.”

Eden approaches with a short glass, filled halfway with scotch, neat. I can feel my hands shaking as I take the crystal. Our eyes meet again, and she’s smiling at me in a way that alludes to sympathy and comfort. Her warm hand lands on my arm, giving a gentle squeeze as I raise the glass, draining it.

“So, what’s next?” I say, as if to convince myself that his words are real.

“You will meet, if that’s what it takes.” Steel’s forehead furrows as he realizes the anguish he is witnessing. “You’ll have to trust me, sir. I fully understand the delicate nature of this assignment.”

“Can you be more specific? You can’t expect me to sit by patiently and wait for the next bomb to explode. I need details.”

My words are laced with sarcasm. It’s painfully obvious to everyone the state I’m in. The truth will be hard, whichever outcome manages to survive. I just have to keep my head above water until then.

“Theo, let Steel do what he does best. Rely on his experience and his connections to see this through.”

I swallow the fear down as I hear Alex’s words. He has an uncanny way of calming me, and in that moment, it’s clear to me why he’s here.

I’ve been so busy thinking about my world imploding, I neglected why we were gathered. We need to focus on why they were originally called upon. This meeting was supposed to be about Eden—her search, or so I thought.

“Eden’s past is our priority.”

As I force a smile, I make my way over to the couch, tugging her next to me, absorbing the feel of her.

She surveys the room, thoughtful.

“Nonsense.” Her eyes swing back to mine. “It’s fine, Theo. This is going to change your life in a big way. It’s happening now, and I want to be a part of it.”

She pulls me in closer, eager to comfort me. Her expression is soft and filled with understanding.

“You will be, but that doesn’t discount the priority of the search for your birth parents.”

I leap into action on her behalf, believing I’ve affronted her lifelong struggle, that I’ve monopolized the entire evening. Her pain is my pain, and I have only scratched the surface of showing her what she means to me. This revelation is both terrifying and pleasing. I can’t tear that wall down on my own, but stone by stone, she is the answer.

“Eden, you have a file for Steel.”

“I do.” She slides the thick stack of paperwork over to his side of the coffee table. “It has all the details of my past that I’m aware of. My birth certificate, adoption papers. By the way, it was a private adoption, but the only information I could find was from my Uncle Vince and my lawyer Mr. Conrad. My goal is to reveal my birth parents’ reasons for the adoption, and their current whereabouts.”

Steel flashes her an easygoing smile and takes the file.

“First and foremost, Theo’s sister is our priority,” she says, pivoting back to me. Then she gives me that look that screams we’re in this together.

As if I’d ever fucking forget.

“I understand. I’ll primarily focus on contacting Madison Perry, but I have a team in place to assist with both investigations.”

“When should we anticipate our next meeting?” I ask, attempting to hide any form of anxiety.

“Soon,” he says, oozing competence. He’s very reassuring in his body language and behavior. A demanding presence, yet an easy man to have faith in.

We shake hands and walk both men to the door. Alex leans in and innocently kisses Eden’s cheek, but he can’t resist throwing a sly look my way.

“Try and get some sleep tonight, you two,” Alex offers as he follows Steel out the door.

My heart beats a little faster knowing I could take her in my arms right now. I’m acutely aware that we are bound together now, since she willingly allowed me access to every part of her. What I’m not fully prepared for is her ability to reassure me, without uttering a single word.

Is Madison truly alive? It’s not in my nature to believe the unbelievable. I have a death grip on the past, and I’m not sure how to let go and open my heart to the possibility that she may indeed be alive. I’ve lived my entire life without my sister, but a new type of guilt arises in me, filling my head with tainted dreams of what could have been.