Their father, Theo, died not long after Sam became embroiled in a scheme to extricate his father from a debt.
Theo borrowed money from people he shouldn’t have. Their mother died when Lux was nearly at the end of her teens. She believes her brother’s lifestyle was what finally killed their mother, and she’s never forgiven him for that.
When Lux and I hooked up, she had no idea I knew her brother. When she found out, she asked me to have nothing to do with him, and I agreed. After we’d been married for a while, Sam got in touch with me and asked for my help, and I couldn’t turn him down. I guess I thought she wouldn’t find out that he’d contacted me for help, and that I gave it.”
“That was a stupid move, man,” Jake told him. “How did she find out?”
“I came home one day and detectives Saunders and Bonetti had already filled her head with a load of nonsense. Because I’d lied to her, she refused to listen to anything I had to say.”
Josh looked over at their father as he stood up, his face expressionless. “Joshua, I’m only going to ask this question once; have you done anything I’m not going to be able to live with?”
“I’ve done a lot of things you probably wouldn’t want to know about. However, if you’re asking if I’m involved with the things I’ve mentioned, then the answer is, no I am not.”
“Very well, now tell us why you would ruin your marriage based on a broken promise.”
“It turned out, Sam was extremely talented at moving money around and making it appear legitimate. The people he worked for needed him to be, how should I put this, fully invested, in their organization. When he contacted me, it was in order to prove his commitment.
Don’t ask me if this was the first order of this kind he’d received because I don’t know, nor have I ever asked.
Once I agreed to help him, I couldn’t see a way out.” Josh knew the whole of the story so he had no idea how his lack of detail sounded to the rest of his family.
“Joshua,” Jackson said in exasperation. “You just assured me you’ve done nothing I couldn’t live with. Yet with each word that leaves your mouth, it drives me one step closer to wringing your foolish neck!”
“No, hell, I’m sorry. Let me explain–”
“You better hurry up before the old man has a heart attack,” Jason drawled.
“This is not the time for sarcasm, Jason!” Their father warned, color rising in his face.
“May I suggest you all calm down,” Jake attempted to stop the disagreement before it gained momentum.
Giving Jason one more disapproving look, Jackson turned back to Josh. “Continue!”
“When Sam was ordered to kill a woman–”
“There it is, the word I’ve been praying wouldn’t leave your mouth!” Jackson exclaimed sinking into his chair.
Josh’s temples began to pound. Dealing with his father was frustrating the hell out of him. Taking a deep breath, he tried to ignore him. Jackson, one of the most resilient men he knew suddenly looked loaded down with concern, and Josh wished he’d kept the truth from him. Knowing his last thought was no longer an option, he continued.
“When Sam was given the order he contacted me. He told me he couldn’t go through with it. He asked me to hide the intended victim until he could set up another life for her. I agreed, and between us, she disappeared into a new life.
It became a problem when her family started asking questions. She was leading a double life. On the one hand, she was a dutiful daughter, and on the other, she was involved with some shady people. Her family’s inquiries led back to the people who gave the order for her murder.
I’d already had some run-ins with detectives Saunders and Bonetti. Stupid, petty stuff, but I always; or should I say Delphine, always managed to square things.
At the time, I only had a suspicion that the detectives were involved with Matthaeus on some level, now I know it for sure. Hence their reappearance in my life–”
“Hold on a minute,” Jackson interrupted. “Are you talking about Chad Matthaeus?”
“Yep, the one and the same.” Josh verified. “That grinning all American guy is as crooked as they come.”
“Good Lord, what is the world coming to?!” Jackson shook his head.
Josh looked at his brothers, but no one said a word.
“When the body of one of Matthaeus’ known associates turned up garroted in his bed; the only way they didn’t pin it on me was because I could prove I was out of state.
They couldn’t get to me so the detectives went to my home and told Lux their version of the truth. They said a police officer had been murdered, and that Sam had something to do with it. From what they said, it confirmed to Lux that I was still in contact with her brother. She left shortly after that.”
Jackson nodded his understanding as he held his youngest son’s gaze. “So what do you need from us?”