Page 87

Your Pappy

Fear clenched my gut at the words in the letter, but more so I was terrified of what I would learn next. With shaking fingers, I placed the note on the side table and began reading the first legal document.

**

PICTURES RATTLED AGAINSTthe hall wall from my storming pace toward the room I'd left Dad and the attorneys in hours ago. There had to be a mistake. My family was fucked-up, yes, but this... no way in hell two men could be so damn evil or self-centered to come up with the agreement written on the papers in my hand.

Please, God, no.

Nausea stirred my stomach, pushing up the coffee I'd sipped that morning, blissfully unaware of the day's future turn of events.

The french doors banged against the wall. Face burning hot with rage, I scanned the room for my piece-of-shit dad, but came up empty.

“Where. Is. He?” I gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Gone,” said the older attorney, Pappy's friend. With a concerned look, he shuffled across the room and rested a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Shortly after you left, I explained what was in the documents you were reading and that the entire estate was going to you instead of him. Your grandfather wanted it that way.” A small smirk formed on his lips. “He didn't want you charged for your father's murder, which he knew would happen if that man was still around after you read the documents. I had security escort him off the property.” The hand on my shoulder squeezed, drawing my gaze to his. “I'm sorry for your loss. Don't be too hard on your grandfather. It ate him up not telling you or her what he found out, but it was done. I'll have some paperwork for you to fill out, but we can do that another time.”

With a nod, the men filed out of the room, leaving me alone, still gripping the damning evidence in my right hand.

I turned on the heels of my dress shoes and marched back out the door, knowing full well what I had to do next. Even if I'd rather cut off my dick than shatter her beautiful, loving soul with the truth.