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Red lights bounced off the smoky sky. The sounds of the scene of a fire that were so familiar surrounded us. Only this time I didn’t have on my gear.
He looked down at the ground . . . which was an incredibly long way.
“I don’t like that option,” I said.
“It’s the only way.” It seemed like a challenge. He was willing to die if I was.
But I had way too much to live for.
“When we’re out of this mess, you and I are having a chat.” I climbed back in the window and ripped the linens off the bed. I hoped like hell those ropes made of sheets worked.
I thrust the sheets out the window. “Start tying.”
He looked at me incredulously as I stepped back on the roof. I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d told him what to do or he thought this sheet rope idea was as crazy as I did.
“You won’t have my daughter.”
“And neither will you.” I yanked on the knot I’d formed. “You must be the dumbest man alive. Instead of appreciating your daughter, you used her.” And for a moment, I actually felt sorry for him. “You missed out on the greatest opportunity of your life by not getting to know her.”
He looked as if I’d slapped him. “Don’t tell me about my daughter. I know her better than anyone does.”
“Knowing she drank tea at seven a.m. and went to work for fifteen hours isn’t knowing someone. Have you ever really talked to her? To any of your kids?” I pulled another knot tight.
“You’ve never been a father. You couldn’t possibly understand.”
“I’ve been a son. And the relationship I had with my pop, the one I have with Ma? It’s irreplaceable. You could’ve filled this house with good memories.” I motioned back toward the now half-gone structure. “You could’ve taught your grandkids your business or whatever else it is you know.”
“Grandkids?” he spluttered.
“Yeah. We’re gonna have lots of them. And you won’t know a single one of them because you’re on some quest for God knows what.” I scanned for somewhere to secure the sheet. The chimney was the most sturdy option, but it was too wide. We’d have a short rope.
He sat down on the roof. “I used to come out here with her mother.”
We really didn’t have time for a walk down memory lane.
I tied the end of the rope onto a decorative iron railing. It was the sturdiest thing I could find . . . and I wasn’t sure it was strong enough.
“You go first. I’ll hold you.”
“She was so wild and free. Nothing like me.” He spoke to the sky like he hadn’t heard me. “And then she was stolen from me. I got my revenge, but it wasn’t enough.”
Beau should be the one to hear this, not me.
Then he seemed to realize I was there again. “I must admit, you handle adversity well. I was certain that distraction with your brother would be too much for you. That it would take your attention off my daughter.”
The fires of rage raced up from my feet and spread through my body. “You burned my brother’s house down and had him charged with arson to distract me from Beau?”
Was this man for real? It had to be a joke. A sick and twisted joke.
“I couldn’t have planned for the drunk driving. But I should’ve realized Beau had the same power over you that her mother did over me. Nothing could sever it. Not even death.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
“You will let her be. Whatever you did to Davenport, you take responsibility. And unless you are crawling on your knees, begging for forgiveness, don’t you ever go near her again,” I said as the anger pulsed out of me in waves.
A smile spread across his face. With the flames shooting up behind him, it was like watching the devil himself on his throne. “Perhaps you are worthy of her.”
I gripped the sheet rope. “That’s not for you to decide.” I pointed. “Now go. We’re running out of time.”
