Page 52 of Twisted Truths

I step outside with Hadley close behind me. Most of the mourners have dispersed—only a handful of people remain, most of them people Levi and I went to high school with. All heads are turned towards where Levi is squaring off with the last person I want to see.

Dalton Stone.

Our father.

Uninvited.

Unwanted.

And definitely not welcome.

“Youshouldn’t be here,” Levi spits, his voice hard and venom-laced, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring.

Paige’s hand rests on his chest, her back to Dalton as she tries to calm her husband.

I’m thankful for Levi’s mum and stepdad having already taken Sawyer home for her nap. They don’t need to be witnessing this.

Dalton’s jaw ticks, his eyes bouncing from Levi to the people witnessing this showdown between father and son. “She was my daughter.”

“No,” Levi snaps. “You weren’t a father to any of us. You’re nothing but a sperm donor. Zara wanted nothing to do with you, and neither do we.”

I freeze, the anger emanating from my brother shocking even me. Hadley’s fingers slide into mine, grounding me in the way only she seems to be able to. It gives me the courage to face the man I haven’t spoken to in years.

Releasing her hand, I step forward.

Dalton finally notices me. His expression flickers—guilt, maybe. Or something uglier.

“Nash,” he says, like my name is some kind of apology.

“Leave.” My tone is firm, laced with loathing.

His face twists into a sneer, the mask dropping. “Look at my two sons finally agreeing on something. Who’d have thought? The NBA prodigy and the washed-up high school basketball coach getting along. Should I beproud?” He spits out the word as if it’s dirty.

“Fuck you,” Levi grits out.

“Woah,” Dalton goads. “Hit a nerve, did I? Clearly, I invested time in the right son.”

“You don’t have any sons, Dalton,” I say, marching down the steps until I’m standing by Levi’s side, facing offagainst him.

Dottie and Morgan pull Paige to the side, comforting her. Damon stands nearby, his stance protective, eyes sharp as they flick between us—watchful, as if he’s ready to step in if things go sideways.

Rowan and a couple of his men step closer as well. Each of the imposing bikers braced and ready to intervene.

I level Dalton with my stare, my voice low but cutting. “It’s incredible how you still think this is about you. Check your ego. Ziggy’s dead. Mum’s dead. And all you care about is playing your fucked up games. Give up. We’re not playing anymore.”

He opens his mouth, but I cut him off. “You couldn’t even show up on time to the funeral. Though I can’t say I’m surprised. Younevershowed up for Ziggy when it mattered. Not once. All you cared about was riding my arse on the court. You ignored her, so you don’t get to show up here and play the doting dad when we all know you never gave a fuck. You’re toxic, Dalton. Walk away and don’t look back.”

His lip curls, like the truth burns going down. Then he drops a bombshell none of us sees coming. “Zara visited me.” His tone is smug. “She reached out after she left that cult.”

A thick silence falls over us.

I stare at him, disbelief twisting in my gut.

“Bullshit.” Levi barks a humourless laugh. “There’s no fucking way.”

“It’s true,” Dalton insists, a self-satisfied smirk tugging on his lips. “She was scared. She didn’t know who else to go to.”

“Ziggy would never go toyou,” I scoff. “She had Paul. He was more of a father to both of us than you ever were. She’d go to him before she’d ever go to you.”