Inevitable Detour (Inevitability Book 1)(74)

Farren responds instead. After clearing his throat, he says, “Yes, Haven, that is why you were targeted. The organization knows everything.”

“So it was never about Mr. Barnes not selling the organization one of his companies,” I clarify. “And, it wasn’t about you going rogue.”

“No, Essa. It was never either of those things. I wasn’t sure about the rogue story, how much of it they bought. That’s why I needed to see Dawson. You learn a lot when you look into a man’s eyes face-to-face. I saw then that Dawson knew the truth. But surely you can understand why I couldn’t tell you all of this at the time?”

“I understand,” I say, nodding once.

Vincent makes a coughing noise. When everyone focuses on him, he says, “I’m sorry, but we need to discuss what happens next.”

“It’s over,” Haven says. “Eric is dead. Vincent, you’re on our side. There’s nothing to discuss.”

Rick quietly says to her, “It’s not over, Hav. Dawson is still out there.”

Farren adds, “He’s right. The organization is far from incapacitated.”

I turn to him sharply. “What does that mean? You’re not going after Dawson, are you?”

Icy fear nips at my spine.

Farren shrugs one shoulder, and I add, “You told me he’s untouchable. You said he has highly placed connections.” I take a breath. “Jesus, Farren, if your father couldn’t stay hidden, how can you?”

Farren tries to soothe me, turning to me like I’m the only one in the room. “We discussed this before, Essa, and nothing has changed. I can’t give up and walk away. Dawson is the man who needs to be taken out. If he falls, the whole organization crumbles.”

“Why didn’t you just shoot him at his estate,” I whisper.

“I couldn’t,” Farren says, pained. “I wasn’t going to take a chance with Haven not yet in my care. And I wasn’t about to take a chance with you being there.”

He holds my gaze and so many emotions pass. I want to tell him how I feel. I want to hear him say what I think I see in his eyes. But there are too many people present.

So instead I stick to the topic. “Dawson is the man who was in prison. Am I right?”

Barnes would have the answer, but my question is directed to Farren, since he seems to know everything. “Dawson is one of the men your dad testified against,” I continue. “He’s the one who lived.”

“He is the one,” Farren confirms.

“It’s too dangerous, then,” I say, closing my eyes. “God, please don’t go after him.”

Farren doesn’t assuage my fears. He just says resignedly, “Essa, I don’t have a choice here. Can’t you see that?”

I open my eyes and quietly inquire, “It’s because of Annemarie, right?”

“It’s not just about her anymore.” Farren’s eyes move to Haven, to his father briefly, then back to me. “I have to protect the people in my life that are still alive, the people I love.”





The plan is set. Farren, Haven, and I are flying to New York City in the morning. Mr. Barnes will return to the estate he owns in Connecticut. He invited Haven to stay with him for a while, but she declined.

“I’m not ready for that much closeness with a man I barely know,” she confides to me as she’s climbing into bed the night before we’re to depart New Mexico.

The men are downstairs discussing a few business items. Haven and I are upstairs in her bedroom. We’ve been talking for a while. But I’m now halfway out the door, ready to head to the room I share with Farren.

Turning back around to face her, I lean my shoulder on the doorframe. “I know, Hav,” I say. “I understand.”

“I want to get to know my father, I do,” she insists as she flops on her back. “It’s just that I’ve never had a dad. I don’t remember him at all. He left when I was three.”

“Just take it slowly,” I advise. I know my friend. I believe she wants to build something with her father. “See how things go,” I add.

“Yeah.” She nods. “You’re right.”

“Good night, Hav,” I say before I close her door.

“Night, Essa.”

Ten minutes later, I’m in bed. When Farren comes in, he gets ready for bed and joins me. With me in his arms, he brings me up to speed on what was discussed after Haven and I left the living room.

“So Vincent and Rick will remain here in New Mexico?” I say.

“Yes. They need to figure out where Dawson slunk off to.”

“He’s not at that house we went to”—I shudder at the memory—“anymore?”

Farren tightens his arms around me, and I feel better. “No, he’s gone,” he says.

“When they find him…is that where you’ll go?”

“Yes.” He shifts and adjusts us until I’m lying on top of him. “I’ll go wherever Dawson goes. And then I’ll find him.”

Unclothed as we are, Farren’s skin is warm and damp against mine. Even with the air conditioning back up and running, it’s still hot upstairs.

“I’m so afraid, Farren,” I whisper.