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“Extortion and kidnapping,” I breathed.
“Jesus, baby.”
“After the papers were signed, instead of handing over a nice fat check, Chief Matthews informed them that in order to see a dime of my parents’ money, they both had to go into a rehab facility of his choosing. Only after they completed the ninety-day requirement, would they get the money.”
“Let me guess,” he sighed. “They didn’t know about the added stipulation before they handed you over.”
“So they claim.”
“Wait, you said you were going to talk to me about this today. What happened?”
Inhaling deeply through my nose, I did something I’d never done before. Shared my burdens. I gave it all to him; every last detail, starting with the need to work three jobs in order to have enough cash for necessities after paying them off every month. Finally, I told him how I’d come home to find them in the kitchen, wanting even more money because they’d discovered I was dating someone who was wealthy.
Alec listened intently through it all, never once questioning why I didn’t go to the authorities. He knew the reason because he would’ve done the same if the shoe were on the other foot. Family meanteverythingto the both of us and I wasn’t only speaking of the blood-related kind. River and Emory were my family too, and my silence had been as much for their protection as it was for my parents’.
The more I talked, the more the weight, which had been heavy on my shoulders, began to ease. There was no doubt in my mind, Alec would take control of the situation. I could practically see the wheels spinning in his head, working out the next move, and honestly? I was relieved.
He opened his mouth to speak, however, the sound of sirens drowned out whatever words he was about to say as fire trucks raced past To A Tea, heading out of the center of town. My phone rang from behind the counter where I’d left it. There were only a handful of people who had my number and since River and Alec were with me, and Emory was at work, that left Mom.
Racing across the room, I hit the green button to answer, dread filling my stomach as I heard those damn sirens in the background.
“Mom?”
Alec took the phone from my ear, quickly switching it to speaker as River and Rico joined us.
“Quinny,” her voice shook. “There’s been an incident. We need you to come home.”
“Are you okay? Is Dad hurt?”
My heart hammered in my chest.
“We’re both fine, but the barn was set on fire.”
“Mrs. James, it’s Alec. What do you mean by set?”
“There was another note, Quinny.”
_______________
STANDING BACK, Iwatched as the fireman sprayed water on several hot spots in order to keep the fire from reigniting. The barn was a total loss which wasn’t a shock considering the state of dilapidation it had already been in. The building used to be filled with massive amounts of farm equipment, all of which had been sold off piece by piece over the years. To me, though, it was more than an empty eyesore. What once held my parents’ hopes and dreams for the future, had become a physical reminder of how life could turn on a dime.
Alec had been incredible from the moment we arrived on scene. He immediately hustled me inside, knowing I’d want to check on my parents, then spent the next hour grilling both the chief of police and the arson investigator on their discoveries. Rico and River, who’d followed us from the store, called in the rest of the family for support. My home was inundated with the entire del Toro clan, plus Emory, before I could blink and I’d never been more grateful.
I’d slipped away at some point, needing to see the damage for myself. That was where Alec found me.
“Let’s get you inside, baby.”
His arm came around my shoulder, the warmth of his touch penetrating the chill which had settled deep in my bones.
“What did the note say?”
“I don’t think—”
Twisting around, I placed a finger on his lips.
“Please, Alec. I have to know.”
He dropped his chin, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. For a moment, I didn’t think he was going to answer. Just when I was prepared to beg, those gunmetal gray eyes I loved so much softened right before he crushed me into his chest.
