Page 127 of The Devil’s Lair

As honest as I want to be with my father, some things are too private to share with anyone, including a parent, so I keep my aversion to touch and how Lilian and Rebecca have helped me to overcome it to myself.

“I love her.”

He touches his chest, right above his heart. “I prayed this would be the outcome, but with everything Rebecca had been through with her former husband, I wasn’t sure it was possible.”

“We’ve both been broken. I believe that’s why it works.”

“And between both of you is a little girl who’s the glue.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” I smile. “Rebecca wants me to adopt Isla.”

Dad clasps his hands together. “That’s wonderful news.”

“I think so.”

“And what happened at the Southalls’?”

I lock my jaw. “They denied it—no surprise there—but his reaction particularly stank of a man who knew his crimes had caught up with him. She took the gaslighting route. They’re both guilty as hell.”

“What do you want to do? Police?”

“Not for me. I’ve brought enough negative attention on this family of late, and I don’t want my personal trauma pored over for the titillation of others. I had a taste of that with the shooting. It won’t help me recover. It will only make things worse. I have an investigator working on identifying their other victims. Once he finds them, and he will find them, I’m going to offer them whatever support they need to go down the route that’s best for them. If they choose the legal one, I’ll fund the best lawyers. If they need therapy, I’ll give it to them. If they want to remain anonymous, I’ll support that, too. If no one wants to press charges, then we’ll reassess.”

“And what about therapy for you, Tobias?”

I run my tongue along the inside of my cheek. “I’ve been going for a few weeks now. Lilian.” I shrug. “She’s a ball-buster, just like Xan said, but she’s helping, I think.”

He clasps my upper arms again, giving me a firm squeeze. “You’re a good man. I’m proud to call you my son.”

“I get it from you, Dad.”

His eyes soften. “Can I help in any way?”

My mouth opens, ready to say no, that I’ve got this. Except handing this problem off to Dad suddenly feels like not only the right thing, but necessary. I don’t want to deal directly with it. It’s too painful, and I know that once other victims are found, it’s going to regurgitate all those memories, and I’ve got enough on my plate to deal with. Lilian will be able to afford her own yacht with the money she’s making from my family.

“Yeah, I believe you can.”

“Name it.”

“Take over the case for me. Work with the investigator and the victims and dole out whatever punishment you see fit on the Southalls.”

Dad watches me closely, gauging my reasoning. A single nod confirms his agreement. “I’ve got this. I’ve got you.”

“I’ll send you the PI’s contact details.” I make my way to the door, pausing halfway. “Dad?”

“Yes, Son.”

“Don’t tell the others about this. I don’t want them pitying me or looking at me differently. I want them to see me as the man they always have. The funny one, the joker.”

“They would regardless, but this is your call. They won’t hear a thing from me. I do hope, though, that one day, you will tell them.”

“Yeah, I will. When I’m ready.”

I close the door behind me with a quiet click and lean against it. By telling Dad, it’s as though I’ve rid myself of a great weight. I feel lighter, more centered, and hopeful about the future than I have in a very long time.

Ava and Harrison Southall will pay. Whether that’s via the legal route or with their lives, only time will tell. Knowing my father, he’ll choose the path that brings the greatest suffering to the Southalls.

That alone makes him the best man for this job.