Page 133 of Rumor Has It

“Where are they?” I bare my teeth, my breathing labored. “What in the hell did you do to them, you son of a fucking bitch?”

“Careful, that’s your aunty you’re speaking of.” He crosses his arms, with a smug smile.

I can feel my blood pulsing through my veins, hot like lava with anger. “I’m going to ask you once more, and then I’m going to beat the fucking hell outta you until you tell me.” I fist my hands, ready to do as I’ve sworn.

“They left!” he shouts at me. “Turns out, she’d rather be your whore than a rich woman.”

“Did it ever occur to you, her value isn’t in your wallet; it’s in your soul.” I pound my chest. “You had everything in the palm of your hand, and you threw it away. I’m damn happy you don’t want to be her father.” I turn, wanting to walk away, but he can’t leave anything alone.

“Ha! You dumb motherfucker.” He chuckles, raising my hackles as I spin and pin him with my ire. “That kid isn’t mine, no more than she’s yours. Mackenzie’s a fucking slut, she always has been.” He taps his head with his finger. “Think about it, take one minute and think it through.” He laughs. “If that kid was either one of ours, why wait for DNA? She could’ve been getting a check for years. The bitch used us both. She simply wanted to see who had more money and latch on.”

I drop my head, shaking it slowly. I ball my fists, taking one last breath before going to jail. I walk up in his face, grinding my jaw until my teeth scream for relief. I slant my head, baring them.

“She had the richest motherfucker to begin with, you wannabe piece of shit. Mackenzie is, and always will be, better than either of us. You don’t deserve her, you never did. What’s wrong, Thorton? Wouldn’t she sleep with you?” I glare at him. “Oh, wait a second. Not only didn’t she sleep with you, but she didn’t believe you. Or in you for all the lies you’ve spun, hoping to fool her back into your bed.”

“Fuck you, Hatcher. She’s jerking your chain around too.” He uses his hand, moving it back and forth. “I should’ve put her through the wall for talking to me like she did, like I’m getting ready to do to you.”

Rage consumes me, blinding me to my good senses. “Did you put your hands on her?”

“What? No, and so what if I did?” He smirks.

I return it, digging deep. “Your boss heard that.” I jerk my head toward the man in the head office. “Now, I’m not only going to knock you the fuck out, but you don’t have anything left.”

“Have you told her you’ve been lying to her for years? We’re not so unalike, Hatcher. We both lie to get what we want. Good luck with that when she finds out.” He winks.

“You know, she’s blamed herself for years for making the mistakes she has. But I still say her biggest mistake was getting involved with you, and for your future reference, add this to your lawsuit when we sue for custody.” I rear back, and clock his fucking ass between the eyes, leaving him in a pile on the floor.

On my way out of the door, I get a text. I pull my phone free, checking it before getting into my car, hoping it’s Mackenzie. It’s not. And it’s not good.

--We have a problem.

--She knows.

--Everything.

Where are they?

--Home.

--They took Lachlan’s plane.

Fuck!

If I don’t go to jail, I’ll be there by dusk.

--Why would you go to jail?

--Oh!

--Did you break his damn jaw for bruising her?

Bruising her?I whirl back around, heading back into the building.

***

I slam my car into park, sprinting to her door. I knock, praying she’ll answer. “Kenzie?” I shout, hoping not to get the cops called on me again today. “Mackenzie?”

I start beating on the door, refusing to go away. “MACKENZIE!” I yell as loud as I can.