Church was the only one who knew his family history, but with Bree sniffing around and doing background checks, he and Church had decided it was time to come clean with the rest of the team.
Church didn’t think the guys would think of him any differently. Cage hoped he was right.
“He died and left the land to me. I’d like to donate it, make it part of Sanctuary.”
“Holy shit, man. Why didn’t you tell us?” That was from Doc.
Cage shrugged, but inside, his gut was twisting. “It’s not really something I’m proud of.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say we don’t judge a man on the actions of his father—or anyone else for that matter,” Heff said, his voice unusually serious, “but on what he does.”
Church shot Cage an I told you so look as the others nodded in agreement.
“Seems like one hell of a coincidence though,” Smoke said evenly. “Or is there more to this story you haven’t told us yet?”
Church exchanged a glance with Cage, who nodded. “Tell them.”
“The first time Cage and I met wasn’t in the teams; it was when we were kids. He came out with his grandfather to check out the land Darius was selling, and they ended up staying at the resort. We were around, what, ten at the time?”
Cage nodded and took over the tale. “We ended up staying a whole week. Church’s grandfather convinced my grandfather that the land held more value and potential as an investment property, so my grandfather bought it, not as a landfill, but as a place to build a resort of his own, where he could retire someday. That didn’t happen, obviously. My grandmother refused to leave the city, and he wasn’t really cut out to live in the mountains. He remembered how much I’d enjoyed the area though and left it to me when he died.” At least, that was what the letter the lawyer had sent him said.
“When?” asked Smoke.
“Last winter. I got the papers not too long ago.”
“And you had no idea?”
“No,” Cage answered, a note of regret in his voice. Despite everything, he’d always liked his grandfather even if he didn’t like the life he’d led. “I hadn’t talked to him—or anyone in the family for that matter—since the day I left for boot camp.”
“Sorry about your grandfather, man,” Doc said.
The others offered similar condolences.
Cage nodded. “Thanks.”
“Weird how everything came together, huh?” That was from Heff.
“Very. Church and I didn’t expect to run into each other again, especially not halfway across the world. Then, our paths crossed a third time when he reached out a few years ago, and it was like it was meant to be, you know?”
Third time’s a charm. Wasn’t that what he’d said to Bree?
Just like that, his mind was back on her, wondering what she wanted to talk to him about. Maybe she didn’t want to talk at all. Maybe she just wanted an excuse to see him again before she went back to California. He was one hundred percent in favor of that. The minute he stepped outside, he was going to call her and—
“So, why are you telling us all this now?” Mad Dog asked.
“Because if anyone digs deeper into my background or realizes that Sanctuary extends further than the original Winston resort, it could bring unwanted publicity and shift the focus away from what we’re trying to do here. I wanted you to hear it from me. I also wanted to let you guys know that I’m willing to resign as a partner if it’s going to negatively impact our mission.”
Silence filled the room before Doc said emphatically, “Fuck that. Not happening.”
Cage felt his chest swell as, one by one, the others echoed the sentiment. That quickly, the matter was settled. His relief was palpable. These guys had his six. Always.
“Let’s back up here a minute because I want to make sure I’m understanding this correctly,” Mad Dog said. “Freed’s using the land, thinking it belongs to some old mobster—no offense—who’s forgotten about it, but it’s really Cage’s?”
Church nodded, a wicked gleam in his eye. “That about covers it. The sooner we get down there and check it out, the better.”
Doc stood and rubbed his hands together. “No time like the present.” He looked at Cage. “You down?”
“Sure. Give me a few to grab some gear, and I’ll meet you at the barn in twenty.”
“You got it.”
Cage jogged back to his trailer. His enthusiasm for heading into the mines was tempered by concerns over why Bree had called him at midnight to “talk.” He didn’t think matters involving his personal history would be resolved quite as quickly with her as they had been with the guys. He could hope though. Ridiculous as it sounded, he had the same kind of feeling of “home” around Bree as he did at Sanctuary.
Part of him wanted to drive down into Sumneyville right then and there, talk to Bree, and get everything out in the open.
Another part of him wanted her to continue to think of him only as the guy who had shown her his telescope and given her a couple of orgasms. Based on her life experiences, she wouldn’t be stoked to find out he was a part of that world. That was exactly why he hadn’t told her when she said something in the diner and definitely why he hadn’t mentioned it on their private excursion.
Just because he felt a certain way didn’t mean that she did, and if she didn’t, then there was really no point in bringing it up at all.
A lot would depend on why she’d called, which, he reminded himself, he didn’t know.
Regardless, talking to Bree would have to wait until their breakfast date in the morning.
He and Doc met at the barn and loaded up the small utility vehicle. Then, they drove to the edge of the current Sanctuary property. They covered the rest of the distance on foot, using powerful handheld flashlights to
