“I should have never given the company to you,” he said with a sneer. “You aren’t worthy of such greatness, you ungrateful shit. Now get out of my house!”
Dash walked away without another word, and I followed behind feeling numb. His back was tense the entire walk to the car with his fists clenched at his side. He moved to open the driver’s door, but I couldn’t endure the ride back without understanding what just happened.
“Fuck man. What was that?”
“Insurance.”
“That didn’t sound like insurance.”
“He’ll come around.” He looked away as soon as the words escaped not believing them any more than I did.
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Then my father can consider his legacy extinct.”
*
“How did it go?” I heard as I stepped inside my brother’s home, followed by Dash. Willow must have been waiting by the door. Dash shed his coat and then pulled her as close as he could with her belly between them.
“How do you feel about being poor again?” he asked.
She shrugged and bit her lip. “It’s suited me for years. I’d be worried about you, though. How would you feel without your silver spoon to keep you warm at night?”
“Who needs a spoon when I’ve got you to put in my mouth?”
“Ew,” Sheldon groaned as she walked by eating a bowl of cereal. “Guys, I’m right here and your niece could hear.”
“Shouldn’t she be asleep?”
“She is. But I’m saying, hypothetically, what if she did hear your nastiness?”
“It wouldn’t be any more traumatizing than witnessing the actual act.” Dash visibly shuddered, and Willow hid her face in his chest as her shoulders shook.
“You’re welcome for the pointers,” Keenan shouted from somewhere.
“Guys,” I interrupted. “My girlfriend.”
“Right.” Sheldon flopped on the large recliner and took another bite of her cereal. “So what do we do now without Dad on our side?”
“I don’t know, but we need to get a lawyer on this first thing. Has anyone called her aunt and Jackson?”
“I tried calling them, but they are vacationing in the Bahamas. I couldn’t get through,” Willow answered.
“Fine time to vacation in the Bahamas,” Keenan griped as he walked into the living room. His hair was wet and his chest was bare.
“Dude, put some clothes on,” Dash growled and actually covered Willow’s eyes.
“My house,” he mumbled back. “It’s not my problem if your woman sees something she likes.” Willow took that time to snatch Dash’s hand away, and Keenan took the opportunity to wink in her direction.
“Now is not the fucking time.” My voice rose with each word until it felt like the world shook around me. They each looked contrite enough for me to actually feel my blood flow again.
“Sorry. It’s just hard to believe Lake did this. What if the police are just trying it to screw with you?”
“Are you asking if I did this?”
Willow met my stare squarely and said, “Did you?”
“I did not kill Mitch,” I admitted slowly. I looked around the room, meeting everyone’s eyes. They all nodded, but I could sense their doubt. “Do you think I would let them take her from me if I were guilty?” I knew the moment realization dawned.
“Well, we aren’t going to know anything until we get Lake out of there. Dash, what about the company’s lawyers?”
“They’re corporate. Their expertise is business so they won’t be much help.”
Willow’s eyes lit up as she lifted her head from Dash’s chest. “I think my dad can help. He’s just as powerful as your dad is. I think I can convince him to put his legal team on this.”
“Shit.” He snapped his fingers and kissed Willow’s lips. “I’ll make the call,” he offered, perking up. “But I want you in bed. Keenan, can we use your spare room?” Hearing that was still strange. It was a little surreal knowing that my little brother had a family and my room had become a spare in my late uncle’s home.
“Yeah, man. You know where it is.”
Dash lifted Willow, who looked barely awake, in his arms and started for the stairs. “Guys,” Sheldon started, looking pained. “What are we going to do if she did it?”
They all turned to face me for an answer, but all I felt was an overbearing constriction in my chest.
What was I going to do?
Chapter Four
LAKE
SEVEN MONTHS AGO
I wanted this motherfucker dead. I gripped the wooden handle until my hand ached and willed my feet forward. He watched me with a taunting leer as I approached his bedside. It wasn’t until I was near him that I raised the knife from under my shirt.
Quick and clean and it would be over.
His eyes lost the mocking glint at the sight of the knife.
I felt powerful and doomed all at once. Powerful for doing what needed to be done and doomed because the cost would be my soul.
Once I took his life, there would be no turning back, but it had to be done. I had a love to protect.