Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3)(8)

“Does she not feel it?” Eddie continued. “Why does she not join you at the council?”

“She’s stubborn. Like you.” Eddie looked at the picture of Kirsha. Chase knew Eddie couldn’t, wouldn’t argue. He knew how special a bond mate was. Hell, the man had never married again, and it had been over ten years. He might have entertained a few women, but Chase remembered him telling him that his heart would always belong to just one.

“Have you tried to convince her?” Eddie asked.

Chase realized he needed to be completely honest. “It’s not just the bond.” He swallowed. “I see the good the FRU is doing.”

“And you don’t see what good the council has done?”

“Of course I do, but the council has always run with the us-against-them policy. All supernaturals need to come together. The FRU is working toward that. It’s a good goal.”

“Because we think taking care of our own comes first, we are the enemy?”

“No. Not the enemy. The council needs to exist. But to govern, we need to unite—not only with the other supernaturals, but with the federal government and the human police.”

“If the FRU has their way, the council won’t exist.”

Chase got the feeling that Eddie’s complete distrust of the FRU was more than just a political stance. But it was something Eddie never spoke of.

“Then someone needs to show the FRU that’s wrong. I could be that someone.” He tightened his hands. “Look, I’m not saying their procedures are perfect, but I agree with a lot of their policies. United we can accomplish more. Have more resources. Sources that could help us find Stone.”

Eddie went back to the window, staring out into the night. Guilt washed over Chase. With Chase being raised like his son these past years, Eddie expected him to follow his advice.

“I know you don’t respect my decision,” Chase said.

“Do I agree with it? No.” Eddie turned around. “But I respect you enough that I will not try to stop you. You are your own person, Chase Tallman.” A sad smile appeared in his eyes. “You are so much like your father. He and I never agreed on politics either.”

“Then respect me enough to do one more thing for me,” Chase said. “Go somewhere else. Somewhere the FRU can’t find you. Somewhere I don’t know, so when they ask me where you are, I won’t have to lie. Because if they can’t find Stone, they’ll want you for this.”

“Or they’ll convict my brother.” Eddie exhaled. He looked back outside at the darkness. Several slow seconds ticked by before he turned back. “If they can’t find Stone, I’ll turn myself in.”

Chase shot off the sofa. “What?” He shook his head. “No! They’ll imprison you.”

“Or they’ll imprison my brother. He holds no fault here. I can’t say the same.”





Chapter Four

“You didn’t do this.” Chase’s eyes burned with frustration.

“No, I didn’t kill Bao Yu. I would have taken her place a thousand times. But I joined the Vultures gang, Chase.”

When Chase learned Della’s aunt had been killed, Eddie had told Chase the story. “You were young and scared.”

“But it was my mistake. I own it. It was because of me that they killed her.”

“That doesn’t make you guilty,” Chase insisted.

Eddie frowned. “In a way, it does, son.”

Eddie’s calm attitude had Chase clenching his jaw. “How? You chose not to kill someone, now you are going to pay the price for them killing someone you loved.” He paced the path between the sofa and coffee table once. Then twice. There had been times when Chase had wished he too had died with his family, but Eddie made him see that life was worth living.

“I made a mistake,” Eddie said. “I’m more responsible than Chao. And before I’ll let him pay for this, I will pay.” Eddie’s dark eyes met Chase’s in a firm look. “Now respect me and my wishes like I respect yours.”

Eddie was dead serious. Emotion tightened Chase’s chest. “I’ll find Douglas Stone. I’m not going to let you go to prison.” And he meant it.

Eddie put a hand on his shoulder. “I have no doubt you’ll do everything you can.” He gave Chase’s shoulder a heartfelt squeeze. “Meanwhile take care of my niece. You call her stubborn, and you are right: The Tsangs are headstrong. But son, you have your own obstinate side.” His smile widened. “The two of you are going to make quite a pair.”

The advice came from the heart. Chase owed this man so much, and right or wrong, he felt as if he were turning his back on him.

Then it occurred to him that what he felt for Eddie, Della felt for her father. Whether Chase liked the man or not, even if he wasn’t deserving of his daughter’s affection, Della was emotionally connected to him.

“You need to get to know her,” Chase said. “You would be proud of her.”

“I have no doubt. I can see you care for her. Does she feel the same for you?”

“Like I said, she’s stubborn.”

Eddie smiled. “But you will win her over.”

Chase put his hand on Eddie’s. Why did this goodbye seem harder? Part of him longed to be exactly who Eddie wanted him to be, but Chase wasn’t blind to the rights and wrongs of the council’s ways.