Page 9 of Grave Sins (Graveyard of Hearts Collection #2)

Archer

Maisy is smiling from ear to ear, sitting in my lap.

We went through basic vows, but it was single-handedly the happiest moment of my life.

I can honestly see a real future with her, and that is more than I can say about anything in my life.

I was fighting just to get from day to day, but now…

Now I am thinking about the rest of our lives.

“So…” Kendra says, breaking the silence. Here it goes.

“Yes?” I ask.

“I have something for you,” she says. “I found a letter in Alan’s desk once the house was finally released… It’s from Alan to you and is dated the day he died.”

Kendra stands and walks over to her purse to pull a sealed envelope out. She hands it to me, and I just stare at it. “Want to go take a walk and read it?” Maisy asks me.

“While that might be the best idea, I think this should be read here,” Martin says.

“Why?” Marcus asks his father, narrowing his eyes.

“Just… let him read it.” Kendra gives Martin a death glare before sitting back on the couch.

“Fuck… Okay.” I sigh and tear the envelope open.

Dear Archer,

I thought removing you from my life would bring me less stress, but it’s only heartache that I feel. I thought I’d never find it in my heart to forgive you for what you did to Kendra, but you are my son. You’ll always be my son.

I am writing this on the day I will be found dead.

No, this is not a suicide note. Think of this as an undoing.

I am undoing everything I have done for the sake of your safety.

I know it is all very confusing, and you both have every right to hate me for this, but you can hate me as long as you are alive.

I am doing this because there is no other choice.

I am writing this letter because when you read it, a lot is going to happen. Martin and Andre have worked hard to keep all of you safe when I couldn’t. Things are dire now, and it’s time you know the truth.

The truth is, I am not dying today. There will be a funeral, an obituary, and even the theatrics with my will.

Reading this means you have knowingly or unknowingly gotten too close to Harrison DeMarco.

He is a cruel man whom I hope to bring down.

If you are reading this, it means that either he knows I am alive or has finally come after one of you.

The plan was for him to never find out, but we had backup plans in case he did.

I crossed paths with Harrison when I was working to help take down trafficking rings.

Harrison has always been one step ahead, so when I was able to obtain information that could bring him down, he threatened Kendra.

She has been through far too much, and I’d rather she lose me than lose herself.

I know you and I had plans to talk, but I ran out of time.

But not to worry, now that you have read this, Andre will give you my location.

Son, I love you more than life itself. I’m so sorry for not seeing how broken you were. You deserved far more from life. I hope that the three of us can find a way to work through this, even if you two can never find common ground.

Love, Dad

I am stunned as I read it over again three times before looking at Maisy. “I… have never been more confused,” Maisy admits.

“Did you know?” I ask her.

“No. God no. Oh my God. I would have hunted you down and told you myself,” she says. I look at Martin as a warning before handing the letter to Kendra. Maisy moves out of my lap, and we all turn to watch Kendra read it with Marcus and Bellamy looking over her shoulder.

“That’s not possible,” Kendra says. “No. I found him. He was dead.”

“Kendra, honey,” Martin says as he comes around to look at her. “He’s not dead, baby…”

“I grieved him,” she screams. When she stands, Marcus nods to me, so I stand too. I am the one who will understand her anger more than anyone else here.

“I know, and I am so sorry,” Martin says.

“Fuck you!” she screams. “I buried him. He fucking died, Martin.”

“I know,” he says softly.

“And you,” she growls, turning on Andre. He doesn’t even flinch when she stomps over to stand toe-to-toe with him. “You slimy fucking piece of shit. Why did you do this? Why did you take him from me?”

“I didn’t do this, Kendra,” he says gently. “Alan came to me and asked for help. I did nothing except make sure it was believable so that Harrison would back off you and Archer.”

“How did they end up together?” Kendra asks. No. Demands.

“I went to the same gym every night,” I say, and she looks at me. “I stayed late and walked back to the parking garage when hardly anyone was out on that stretch. It wouldn’t be hard to time it just right so that I hear the commotion and find Maisy.”

“Which would mean my dad was in on it,” Maisy says. “I remember Dad said it was time I started helping out with the family business… He always said that me getting married would help the business, so I always thought that’s what would happen.”

“And by you two finding each other, it puts a target on Archer’s back,” Andre says. “But getting married brings me into it… and I am just about the only one who can stop him.”

“Why haven’t you before then?” Maisy asks.

“Because stopping him means going to war with a trafficking ring,” he says. “It’s going to be a bloodbath, but he won’t win.”

“Kendra, you, the kids, Marcus, and Bellamy are going to stay at the safehouse with Alan,” Martin says. “And that isn’t a request; I don’t want there to be any chance whatsoever that Harrison can get Maya or Mateo.”

“Fuck. Okay. Yeah, that makes sense,” Kendra says with a sigh.

“The letter said you know where he is,” I say to Andre.

“I do,” he says. “Kendra, focus on getting packed. Whatever you don’t bring but end up needing, I will bring you. You can work remotely, and I can have my guys keep an eye on everything while you are gone.”

“Okay,” Kendra says.

“Archer, why don’t you two take that walk?” Andre says. “Go clear your head. Fuck your girl against a tree. And then come back, and we can go see your dad.”

“I like you,” Maisy laughs.

“Let’s go,” I say to Maisy with a smile.