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He scowled at Pepper. “If it weren’t for your mother’s fortune, the company would be defunct.”
I rubbed the side of my face. “I thought you were the best.”
“I am. At one time, it was my family’s business. They made foolish decisions. I never wanted to use your mother’s money, but I had no choice.”
I couldn’t imagine him ever being in financial peril. How humiliating to be forced to ask my mother to bail him out.
“But you’re the only one from your family at the company,” I said.
“Because I forced them out.”
There was no regret in his expression. Had he left them destitute? I had no idea. This must have happened before I was born or when I was too young to understand.
I slumped in my chair. Pepper looked as exhausted by this zigzag of info as I was.
“This is what you need to know,” my father said. “You will never have to be concerned about Morgan ever hurting anyone again.”
I’d considered going to see him in prison. I wanted to understand why my uncle did the things he did. We’d worked together for so long. I knew him and yet he was a stranger. A stranger I was related to.
“And what about you?” Pepper asked. “Will you hurt us?”
His nostrils flared. “I will do what is best for my family.”
“How were you at all those fire scenes? How did you know?” I spoke quietly. I didn’t understand him. How he could kidnap Pepper and somehow pretend to care about me.
“Scanner.”
Winston returned with the main course.
“I can’t eat,” I said.
“Try.” Winston nudged my plate before he left again.
“If you continue to be a dog kicker, a kidnapper, and intimidator, we can’t have anything to do with you.”
I jerked my head toward Pepper. Was she considering forgiving him for all the horrors he’d done?
“I will leave your rescue alone . . . unless you give me a reason not to.” My father cut into his porterhouse.
“What about Teague? Will you stop interfering in his life?”
He wiped his mouth and leveled her with his gaze. “Concern is not interference.”
“It’s creepy,” she said. “He’s a grown man.”
“And I look after what’s mine.”
I stared at him. I’d never understand him. I needed to accept that.
“I didn’t want it to be this way. I just wanted my dad.” I leaned back in my chair.
He set down his knife and fork. “Everything I do is for you and your siblings. I don’t expect you to understand. And I won’t give up on you coming to your rightful place.”
“Then don’t expect to ever see me again.”
I was done. He had some warped way of thinking. Whether his intentions were noble or not didn’t matter. I couldn’t do this anymore.
I stood and offered my hand to Pepper. She placed hers in mine and followed me to the door.
