I say nothing and keep glaring at him.
Lawrence lets out a sigh. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m here?”
“I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
“Right.” His gaze flits to the village. “Andrew told me you caused the gunman’s and my mother’s deaths, as well as a few others’.”
“And?”
“And I’d like to know why you made revenge for Preston’s death so personal. I’d expect it from Kane and Jude since they knew him for a long time, but that doesn’t apply to you.”
“I knew him well enough to conclude you failed him as a fucking parent when he needed you the most.”
He pauses, narrows his eyes, but there’s another emotion there I can’t pinpoint.
“Yes, I knoweverything, Lawrence, and the only fucking reason I’m not making you join him is because he loved you. Despite your lack of parental care, he never stopped loving the father who failed him.”
“He…told you that?”
“Didn’t have to.” I stare at the lights. “The signs were there. He wanted you to be proud of him, was terrified of your disapproval, and tried everything to get your attention. He cared about you more than you deserve.”
“Are you telling me you deserve his care?” He stands taller. “His trust? His deepest, darkest secrets?”
“I do.”
“What were you to my son, Marcus?”
“His man,” I say without hesitation. “We were in a relationship.”
“Hmm.”
I frown. What does that mean? I expected narrowed eyes, anger, or even threats, but Lawrence seems to be contemplating something.
He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “It doesn’t matter at this stage, you wouldn’t have lasted with Preston anyway.”
“Says who?”
“Logic.” He speaks in a low voice. “Preston needs someone to bring him from the edge at all times. Someone who’ll recognize when his hallucinations and brain are acting up more than normal and make the hard decisions to either medicate or put a leash on him. Someone like me, Jude, or Kane.”
“Well, none of you managed to save him.”
“Neither did you, Marcus.”
I swallow thickly, but before I can say anything, he asks, “If he were alive, Andrew and I would’ve separated you two anyway, so isn’t it better that this happened?”
“You would’veneverseparated us.” I stand toe to toe with him. “If he were alive, I would’ve taken him far away fromall of you.”
36
PRESTON
Fais dodo, mon petit trésor,
Maman veille, même quand il fait noir.
Ferme les yeux, garde bien ton ciel,
Si je pars, je serai dans tes ailes.
