My spine goes rigid. “What? Why?”
Even I know the bastards never do, so there must be something they are after.
“They wanted us to show up at some golf event in Connecticut. Today of all days,” she says flatly. “As a united front, believe it or not.”
“Okay?” I’m still not sure how it’s connected to me.
“They told me to make sure that Bea will be there,” she accentuates every word, “because Larry Commerford will be there.”
The name doesn’t ring any bells, but Ezra is usually the one who socializes with people. I just build things.
“He is the one who was involved in the incident?” she suggests helpfully.
And at first, it doesn’t register. Until it does. A year ago, on the island, the Wrong mother mentioned that the society deemed Bea damaged afterthe incident. The incident where some dickwad Larry Commerford played a part. My blood runs cold.
“What did he do, Maeve?” I step closer to her, probably looking half crazed. “What did he do to her?”
Her brows draw together. “I don’t know exactly, but Bea said he was very handsy when our parents arranged their date. They wanted them married and Bea off their hands, so they didn’t care what happened. I was already away, so I wasn’t there.” Her neck moves with a swallow. “I couldn’t protect her from him.”Her voice drops to a whisper. “I was supposed to marry him first, Noah. That’s why I left. It’s why I couldn’t stay there any longer. I didn’t know they’d make her, Noah. I didn’t. She was only seventeen.”
My blood shifts from icy to hot by the time she’s done talking. “What did he do to her, Maeve?” My voice comes out as a growl.
“I don’t know. I really don’t,” she replies, looking lost. “But knowing Bea, I think he left with injuries. He spread rumors about her afterward, and that’s what caused a lot of damage. You know how our parents are about their appearances.”
“Do you think he—” I can’t finish because it’s painful to even think about.
“No,” she replies firmly.
I swallow the fear down. “How do you know? You said you don’t know what happened.”
“Because I asked. And she saiditdidn’t happen. And I know my sister enough to believe she was telling the truth.”
My heart starts beating again, and rage replaces fear. Rage directed at those who were supposed to protect her and at the dickhead who dared to touch Beatrice without her permission.
“Do you know what your mother wanted from her?”
A nod. “To ‘right her wrongs,’” she continues, making air quotes and keeping her eyes on my face. “They want them together again because he just got some reward from the state and he’ll be running for Senate.”
My nostrils flare as I’m trying to breathe through my nose because it should calm me down a bit and prevent—or at least delay—the murder.
I grab the duffel and garment bag containing the Executive. “Looks like I’m taking a detour.”
45
Noah
“Do you want him in a bag?”Dante’s voice booms through the car speakers as I press the accelerator on the fastest car in my garage.
“Tempting but no,” I reply through gritted teeth. “I want the dirt spread so wide and far, he’ll never be able to walk on the street without being recognized.”
“Got it. What did he do?”
“Hurt my girl when she was seventeen.”
A pause.“Are you sure you don’t want him in a bag?”
I tap my fingers on the steering wheel. I want to rearrange his face myself, but if Dante puts him in a bag, I’ll be on the suspect’s list, which would prevent me from being with Bea and taking care of Mom.
“I’m sure,” I grit out.
