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“It didn’t for me until recently. What I remember the most is that he talked about how you could only place your trust in family. Somehow, I forgot all about that, which almost caused me to lose my own brother. I placed my faith in the wrong people and I paid a significant price. While I can’t go back and undo my actions, I can learn from them. I can share in the joys of tomorrow.”
“The way of our people.”
I glanced at Jackson, nodding several times. “We need to do this.”
“I’m right by your side.”
“I know that. I will always know that.” Sighing, I took what seemed to be the longest steps of my life toward the front porch, hesitating before knocking. I could hear music coming from somewhere in the small house. The man was enjoying his day off.
When he opened the door, his smile was immediate.
Until he noticed my weapon.
“What’s going on?” he asked, darting a look at Jackson.
“How much?” I asked.
He seemed confused. “I don’t understand.”
I crowded his space, forcing him against the door. “How much money for you to sell your soul to the devil, Joshua? How much for you to be the man responsible for killing my wife?”
Joshua’s eyes opened wide, his body starting to shake. “I’m so… sorry. She wasn’t supposed to be there.” While his voice was breaking up, I didn’t give a rat’s ass.
“You disgust me,” I snarled.
“You don’t understand. Prescott kept hounding me. I did one little thing for him that had nothing to do with you, but he had me on tape. Then he blackmailed me.” Joshua was becoming unglued, his body sagging against the wood.
“I don’t give a fuck. My wife is dead! Dead. And you fucking took care of her horse for two years as if you actually gave a damn. You torched and tried to kill an entire family! They have nothing, you fucking piece of shit!” My anger had risen to the level I could lose it at any moment.
Jackson moved closer, touching my shoulder. “Don’t, brother. He’s not worth it.”
I took a deep breath, holding it for a full minute while Joshua started to sob. When I breathed out, I shot Jackson a look. “I’m fine and you’re right.” I was able to hear the crunch of several sets of tires rolling down the driveway.
“And you followed Aspen to her villa. Of course she’d let you in because she trusted you. After knocking her unconscious, you locked her in the wine cellar knowing she would die. You knew what you were doing. You fucking worthless piece of garbage.”
“Yes,” he wailed. “I just… I had no other choice. You have to believe me.”
I shoved the weapon into his mouth, ready to pull the trigger.
“I trusted you and you betrayed me. I should put a bullet into your brain right now.” I was shaking given the level of anger I felt. “Tell me. What did it feel like to know my wife burned? What?”
Tears streamed down Joshua’s face. What pissed me off more than anything was that the man didn’t bother fighting.
“You always have a choice, Joshua. Always.” Jackson’s words were as haunting as the way I felt. “Come on, Montgomery. Don’t do it. Think about the future and about how much you have to look forward to.”
I shifted my attention to Bryce as he walked closer, a concerned look on his face.
Goddamn it, I wanted to kill the man. “The future. This asshole changed that.”
“The future is what you make of it,” Jackson stated.
Bryce moved onto the porch. “Jesus. Come on, buddy. Let him go. Where he’s going, he won’t see the light of day ever again. I promise you that.”
Visions rushed into my mind, beautiful images of the two women I’d loved. I was heartbroken yet Jackson was right. There was so much to live for. So. Damn. Much.
I yanked the gun away, clicking on the safety then shoving it into my waistband. After taking a step away, I did exactly what I needed to do to clear my conscience.
I threw a hard punch. My satisfaction was nothing more than to watch as Joshua crumpled to the ground. Then I stormed off the porch, giving Bryce a look before doing so. “I think you can shove his ass into a garbage bag.”
