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I headed into the cemetery, no longer filled with the strangling sadness I’d felt for years. Maybe this was my release, or a way of letting go of the past. As I knelt in front of Garrison’s grave, tugging the dead flowers away, a series of warm sensations coursed through me. I rubbed my finger across his name then placed the daisies in the small holder. “I brought you your favorite flowers.”
The light breeze whipped across my skin, the delicate aroma of the flowers tickling my senses. “You were right about the Wild Boys. I shouldn’t have doubted your loyalty to them. I hope you can forgive me.”
I remained where I was, allowing the tranquil moment to sweep through me. For the first time, I was able to feel utter peace. “You will never be forgotten. Know that you’ll be in my heart forever.”
Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I could almost sense he was smiling down at me from above. After a few minutes, I rose to my feet. I knew what I had to do, what I should have done before.
My father was corrupt. I was no idiot, able to piece together bits and pieces of information that could implicate him in various methods of extortion. While he did a damn good job of hiding his efforts, anyone who took the time to look into the man’s background to any degree would realize he’d used blackmail to get to where he was. That sickened me. Maybe he’d expected Garrison to follow in his footsteps, which was why my brother had been sent to the university. I didn’t expect my father to tell me the truth. I honestly didn’t care about the reasons for his decisions.
All I knew was that I wanted to expunge him from my life. That wouldn’t bring Garrison back, but it would allow me to sleep easier at night.
I kissed my fingers, placing the tips against his stone. Then I headed for my car. While my heart might never heal, I accepted the fact that in time, the pain would ease.
The drive was without incident, the traffic light for this time of day. As I pulled into the parking lot, my resolve strengthened. Nothing was going to stop me from what I was about to do.
Taking long strides, I headed into the building and toward the elevator, grateful no one else was in the cold steel box beside me. When I reached the top floor, I plastered a smile on my face before exiting, wasting no time before heading through the double glass doors.
The receptionist eyed me warily before she recognized who I was. “Ms. Fields,” she said as she rose to her feet.
“No, Ms. Lark. Is my father in?”
“He is, but he has an appointment in ten minutes.”
“Oh, this won’t take long.” I didn’t wait for her response before heading toward my father’s massive wooden door. He had the poshest office in the suite, the corner view one of the best in the city. I’d driven all the way from our little hometown to Chicago, wanting to do this in person.
I didn’t bother knocking, nor did I care if he didn’t approve of my entrance. I simply walked inside.
He jerked up from his desk, only a few seconds of anger crossing his face before he smiled. His expression was even more plastic than mine.
“Hello, Father.”
“Cassie. What are you doing here?”
I walked ever so slowly toward his desk, planting my hands on the surface and leaning over. “I’m only going to ask you this once. Why did you hate your own son?”
I could tell I’d surprised him. Then his smug look was all I needed to continue.
“I didn’t hate Garrison, but he failed me.”
“Uh-huh. And you blamed the Wild Boys. Didn’t you?”
Another moment of surprise crossed his face. “How do you know about them?”
I laughed, gazing out the window for a few seconds. “Because Garrison told me about them. He and I had a relationship. We cared about each other.” I snapped my head in his direction, exhaling as he tried to mask his emotions just like I was used to. “I know all about the Wild Boys. I’ve met them. I’ve spent time with them. And even better, I’m in love with all three of them. How does that make you feel, father of mine?”
His look of shock was just what I was going for.
“Stay away from them!” he snapped, pointing his finger at me.
“Perhaps I will, but you don’t get a say in my life. You prevented them from attending Garrison’s funeral, even though you knew they were friends. Didn’t you?”
He said nothing.
“Of course. Plausible deniability, right? I thought you had your own son killed in order to keep your secrets. Then I realized I was wrong.” My throat tightened from just issuing the statement.
“You are out of your mind, and I have business to attend to, Cassie.”
I slammed my hand on his desk, hissing loud enough he jerked backward. “Don’t bullshit me. I’m finished with lies. I’m curious. Why did you send threatening texts to Alexander, Daniel, and Brogan? Were you worried since Brogan had just been released from prison that they would come after you?” I was fishing, holding back information on purpose. I wanted him on edge, angry enough he would admit to the truth.
