When Day Breaks

It was a regret he’d live with for the rest of his life.

CHAPTER 37

THE hours stretched, seemingly days. Each minute ticked by with agonizing slowness. Swa

They didn’t even try to force Swa

At one point, as if no longer able to contain herself, Skylar rose and went over to Swa

“Try not to worry so much, Swa

Swa

An angry glint entered Skylar’s eyes. “The fuck it was your fault. Swa

“Appreciate it,” he said in a choked voice.

He couldn’t say any more because he hadn’t lied to Skylar. He was precariously close to losing control. The longer they sat—or rather stood—waiting, the more fear and worry knotted his insides.

His thoughts were interrupted when Eddie, Raid and Ryker burst into the waiting room, Eddie’s eyes wild. He looked about ten years older. Exhaustion ringed his eyes and his hands were shaking.

“How is she? Where is she?” Eddie demanded. “I want to see her immediately.”

Hancock stood, placing himself between Eddie and his sons and Swa

“This was my fault,” Hancock said in a low voice. “I took out the wrong man. The daughter you thought had died in cross fire survived. She’s the one who has been stalking Eden and trying to take her out.”

“That’s who was on the video?” Eddie asked hoarsely. “She didn’t say anything, though she sent a message afterward taunting me. Telling me that justice would finally be served, but I had no idea. I mean I thought maybe it was some crazy stalker who’d become obsessed with Eden. Goddamn it. I never even thought to focus on anyone except the son. Nothing else made sense!”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Hancock said. “We all share responsibility in not protecting Eden as well as we should have.”

“Where is she?” Raid asked bluntly.

At that Swa

“She’s in surgery,” Swa

“And who the hell authorized all this?” Ryker demanded.

“I did,” Swa

Eddie and Raid gave him puzzled looks before Eddie finally found his voice again.

“Why was I not consulted? I’m her family. I should have at least been kept in the loop, and I damn sure should have been the person to grant permission for any treatment or surgery. What the hell do you even know about this surgeon? Did you research him?”

Swa

“I love your daughter, Mr. Sinclair.”

He included Eden’s brothers in his gaze as it swept over Eden’s family.

“And she loves me.”

At that, shock registered in her family’s eyes. Eddie’s lips parted as though he were about to say something, but Swa

“I made the decisions. I told the staff I was her husband. I may not be right now, but I certainly plan to be if Eden will have me.”

He fingered his scar, purposely drawing attention to it, something he would have never done in the past.

“You see this? Is this what you really want for your daughter? Your sister? There is no way in hell I’ll ever put her through having her face permanently carved up and scarred. Her career is important to her, and I’d never do anything to take her choices away. It’ll be up to her what she wants to do afterward but by God, she’ll have choices.”

There was grudging acceptance in Eddie’s and his sons’ eyes.

“How long has she been in, and do you know when she’ll be out?” Ryker interjected.

Swa

“They came out half an hour ago and said she was still in surgery but doing well. The surgeon is taking his time and being extremely careful to ensure there will be no permanent scarring. After she’s taken to recovery, someone can go back to see her. And just so you know, that person’s going to be me.”

He stared down Eden’s family unflinchingly, as if he dared them to argue.

“When she’s moved to a room you’ll all be able to see her,” he said.

Eddie looked like he wanted to argue. There was obvious conflict in his eyes as he weighed the matter and decided whether he wanted to protest.

Then he looked up at Swa

“Yes, sir,” Swa

Eddie’s shoulders sagged a bit as if all the air escaped him at once.

“All right. I won’t object to you going into recovery. But I’ll want to see her as soon as possible.”

“There’s another thing you should know,” Swa

Eddie buried his face in his hands, emotion overcoming him. His voice was thick with tears.

“God, this is my fault. All of it. I swore nothing would ever touch my children. And now Eden is paying for my past sins. I don’t know how she’ll be able to ever look at me now.”

Swa

“Sir, there is one thing I’ve learned about your daughter in a very short time. She has the biggest, most tender, forgiving heart in the world. Yes, she was upset and shocked at the time. But I have no doubt she will not be angry with you, nor will she refuse to see you. She loves you, her entire family, too much. And that’s not who Eden is. She isn’t one to hate. To harbor resentment.”