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Tielle resisted the urge to look over at Grae. “Whatever it is, it’s nothing good.”
* * *
“So your scheme to get the family here for repair was really about ripping it apart.”
“I love my family, Des.” Faro touched a hand to his chest while voicing the declaration. “I’m not interested in ripping it apart, only in ripping out lies.”
“I see…” Desree observed him with her arms folded and lips parted in disdain. “And how did you come by these…lies?”
“Kids are told to be seen and not heard. Adults never tell them they aren’t supposed to listen.”
“You always were a foul child.” Desree shook her head. “But I never would’ve thought you were capable of something so evil.”
“So telling the truth is evil now, Des?”
“What purpose will doing this serve?”
“The same purpose that you signing over that deed will serve.”
An understanding smile illuminated Desree’s plump face. “So that’s what you want.”
Faro’s mouth thinned into a belligerent line. “It should’ve been mine anyway.”
“There was a reason why your father didn’t leave it to you. He knew you were unworthy.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now, does it? He’s gone.”
“Grae will never—”
“Grae’s days on the throne are numbered, Des. Maybe it’s time you put your trust in another.”
“Sweetie, you’re getting me mixed up with whoever is idiotic enough to be afraid of you.”
Menace further shaded Faro’s dark stare. “You’d do well to be afraid. I have no qualms about doing what I have to.”
“And you’d do it here, of all places?” Again, Desree grimaced. “Tielle was one of the few people who believed in you. She bet her marriage on it. You’d actually let her see it was all for nothing?”
Faro waved his hand to the side. “Grae’s insecurity busted up his marriage, and I’m sick of being blamed for it. Maybe once he’s relieved of the responsibility of running Dad’s business, he’ll have the time he needs to get his wife back.”
“Little bastard—”
“Tsk, tsk, Des. Do you really want to take the conversation there?”
“I don’t have the deed with me.”
“Ah…good. You’ve seen the light.” Faro’s gleeful expression merged into a glare. “I believe Leo has your power of attorney. He should be able to collect it from the safety deposit box at your bank with no trouble.”
Desree’s gasp reinstated Faro’s gleeful expression.
“My ears have served me well over the years.”
“Oh, and I’d love to box them for you.”
Faro’s laughter was fleeting. “Call Leo and have him get the deed here no later than Friday.”
“That’s two days away! Why would you want to carry on this charade?”
“Well, Des, there’s not much reason for you to stick to your part of the deal if I have nothing to bargain with.” He moved in close. “Get the deed or the next family therapy session we have won’t end with me being ordered to follow you from the room like a hardheaded child, but with you being left to answer a lot of questions and kiss a lot of wounds.”
He looked thoughtful. “On second thought, kissing wounds may not be involved. I’m pretty sure certain parties will be way too devastated to accept kisses from the ones who betrayed them.” He brushed past Des. “Two days,” he called.
* * *
“Oh…sorry I…” Tielle muttered, having rounded the corner of the terrace to find Grae alone and seated on one of the lounges. He stared out past the terrace railing toward the dense brush and trees beyond the rear lawn. Tielle decided to take her leave.
“Do you remember this place?” he asked. “First time we were out here after we got married?”
Slowly, Tielle ventured farther onto the terrace. She loved it there—the majesty of the trees already half through their annual shedding of leaves. The wind held a thriving intensity that afternoon that promised to strip the remaining foliage from its branches before nightfall.
