Page 201 of Midnight Curfew

I have my doubts. He’d do it to anyone else.

“But I can take Sophia from you,” he tells me.

I go still, my amusement fading completely.

“I can take Marymount from you,” he goes on.

My work, my plans, my stepsister…

He almost whispers. “I can take Dallas from you.”

I remain rooted to the floor, frozen, quiet, and unresponsive even though my heart beats like a thirty-car train racing over the tracks.

He softens his eyes, relaxing again. “Callum, I’m proud of you. You’ve amazed me,” he assures me. “And everything I have is yours when I die. There’s no reason at all to be enemies.”

There’s one reason.

“I know I’m a lousy father,” he continues. “But I’m a great business partner.” Starting to move past me, he calls out over his shoulder. “I’ll see you in the morning. I expect to hear you have the treasure for me.”

And I wait to hear the front door close and the smooth purr of his engine as he speeds off to one of his women before I exhale.

—

An hour later, I’m still in his office, sitting at his desk with my chair turned away from the window. The rain has quieted, just a dart hitting the glass once in a while as I swallow another gulp of the Glenfiddich he keeps on the table in here.

I’m not a murderer, but I’ve spent several minutes now pondering how much of the treasure I’d give back to the Jaegers if they got rid of my father for me.

And then I’d feel worse, being a coward who needs others to solve my problems.

The world wouldn’t suffer without Garrett Ames. He’s good at making money. He’s savvy, detail oriented, and a good negotiator, but he’s of no value as a husband, father, or friend. He makes the ones who are supposed to love him fear him and dread him, and he spreads ugliness. He’s at the heart of why I want St. Carmen kids out of their houses and in dorms most of the year.

My phone buzzes before an alarm blares. Picking it up, I click the notification as the palm fronds outside whip against the window.

***Tropical Storm Warning in Effect***

Tropical storm–force winds are expected in this area in the next 36 hours.

*Locations affected:

St. Carmen

Blue Head

Tanner Springs

Sanoa Bay

*Winds expected 25-35 mph…

Spinning in my chair, I watch the bushes outside blow in the dark night. We’re generally safe here, farther away from the sea with emergency services at our fingertips. Sanoa Bay, though…

It’s just a tropical storm. Nothing Dallas hasn’t been through fifty times.

The school gymnasium opens for refuge if anyone needs it, too. He knows that.

I start to call Grady—make sure they’re preparing accordingly—but a reflection moves across the framed picture on the wall in the hallway.

“Sophia?” I call out.