Page 21 of The Forbidden Note

Sol has been through a lot this year.

Most of it is our fault.

I might be a heartless bastard most of the time, but I own my damage.

“Screw this. I need a beer.” I hop off the chair and stalk into the house.

On the way back, I overhear Finn and Dutch talking.

“You think dad has something to do with it too?”

“I’m seriously considering if I should hire a protection team for Cadey.”

“She’ll hate that.”

“Yeah, but it’s better than something bad happening to her.”

I step onto the pool deck. “Dad being involved in this crap? Yeah, I had the same thought.”

Dutch and Finn stare at me.

“What?” I sink into the chair, my eyebrows tightening. “I’m not an idiot.”

“No one said you were,” Finn says calmly.

“Someone helped Cadence’s mom fake her death in the first place. Now, she conveniently overdosed and died right after we find out about the inheritance. Something’s off.”

“I don’t want to think dad is a killer,” Dutch says. “He’s a twisted, manipulative, psychotic bastard. But murderer is next level.”

“Who’s a murderer?”

We all jump at the voice.

Sol stands in the sliding glass doorway, his eyes on Dutch. He’s been our best friend since we were kids. Practically a Cross by association.

“Sit down,” Dutch says gravely.

Sol gives him a wary look.

“We need to talk,” I add.

“About what?” Sol asks.

“About everything.”

* * *

Sol takes it well, although I’m not sure how any sane person is supposed to respond when he finds out that…

A: Dutch got married to Cadence—partly because of an inheritance our grandmother left us which states we need to be married and have a son to qualify.

B: Our dad sent Cadence out of the country to keep her from Dutch, got Dutch arrested and he might also be responsible for murdering Cadence’s mother.

And C: Dutch will now actively and intentionally proceed to get Cadence pregnant.

“You good?” Finn clasps a hand over Sol’s shoulder.

He blinks slowly.