Page 89

“She killed herself here. We were at school, but this is where she did it. Downed a bottle of pills. Bradley and I wanted to move to one of the smaller places on the property, but Daddy said no, that we had to stay here as a reminder of what we did to her.”

“What. You. Did.”

“Yeah.” I chuckled and nervously tucked locks of hair behind my ears. “Not him.”

“Fuck, Beks. And you saved his life just now?”

I shook my head. “No, I saved yours.”

His face dropped and went ashen. “I'm tearing it down. You're staying in the main house, and so will your brother when he gets back.”

“What the fuck is going on?” I yelled. “You're scaring me.”

“Good,” he yelled back, then slammed his fist into the wall where Daddy's head had been.

I stumbled back a step. “B,” I whispered in pure terror.

His fury-filled eyes met mine before storming off into the kitchen. Cabinet doors opened and slammed shut.

Inching toward him, I stopped and watched him scavenge.

“Where's his fucking liquor?”

“No. You’re not letting that man break you.”

“Where is it?” he roared.

Anger coursed through my veins. “What the hell is going on?” I walked into the kitchen toward him. He moved to step around, but with a soft hand on his shoulder, he paused. “Brenton, talk to me.”

His head drooped as his hands found my waist. “I don't want to hurt you.”

“You're doing that by not talking to me. What happened? Tell me. Please.”

“Beka?” came Ryder's voice from the other room.

Brows raised, I looked from the door to Brenton.

“I called her.” That was all he said before tugging me against his trembling chest. “I'm so sorry, Rebeka, but you deserve to know.”

“Know what?” I cried and dug my nails into his shoulder, anchoring me to him.

Desperation seeped in at his solid body leaving mine. I wanted his strength back to hear whatever he had to say. Hand in hand, we moved around the small kitchen table and into the living room. Brenton guided me to the couch and gestured for Ryder to join us.

Her tiny hand linked with mine. “What's going on?” she whispered.

“I don't know.”

“He called Kyle and said I needed to get over here as soon as possible, that you needed me.”

I swallowed against a dry throat. The room spun with each short breath.

Brenton paced, staring at the floor before dropping to a crouch at my feet, putting us at eye level.

“Baby....”

“Just say it, Brenton.” Ryder's hand tightened around mine.

“I don't know how,” he choked out before leaning his forehead to my knee. “Pappy left me a note that detailed what happened behind the scenes of that night. I'll let you read it so you understand that neither of us knew the forces that pulled us apart.”