AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wanted to finish some business with Colton before I headed back to Dallas.”
“Melody already left?” she asks.
“Took my truck.”
“Poor guy. Need some money for an Uber?”
“No, thanks. I’ll manage.”
“Good.” She frowns slightly and smooths her hair. “So that was the whole end game, huh? Get my cousin to marry you and take everything over?”
“Pretty much. But I guess that’s over now.”
“Guess so. She doesn’t seem happy with you.”
“Can you blame her?”
Daisy’s smile is tight. “Melody’s not happy with anyone in this house. Poor girl, she’s been through a lot.”
I let out a soft laugh. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“Actually, I do.” Daisy comes closer, narrowing the gap between us. “You think Melody’s the only one Rosie hurt? I was Rosie’s first target back in the day. All those things Melody said after my sister died? It all rang absolutely true because it all happened to me, too.”
My eyes go wide. “But you—”
“Called her a liar? I’m not fucking stupid. I could tell the second Melody opened her mouth that everyone was going to turn against her. Oh, poor dead Rosie, gone too soon. Good fucking riddance. My sister was a sick bitch, probably because my pedo rapist Dad fucked her up really good, but at last I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut. Better than that, I sensed an opportunity. A chance to get Melody out of the picture.”
“You did it on purpose.”
“Well, I stoked the flames, at least, and it didn’t take much. Some tears, some moping around, and everyone turned on Melody real fast. Poor girl doesn’t even realize, but oh, well.”
I shake my head in amazement. If it weren’t so utterly and disgustingly twisted, I’d be impressed. If I’m a liar, Daisy’s something even worse.
“What will you do now?” I ask. “Colton says he’s selling the place.”
Daisy rolls her eyes. “He’s been threatening that for years. He’ll never do it.”
“Of course not,” I say, shaking my head. “He claims nothing comes in or goes out without your approval. The old fuck’s going to die and all of you are going to rip each other to shreds fighting for the scraps.”
“Actually, no. The uncles are mine. The cousins too.”
“I heard about the blackmail.”
Her lips pull back. “Dean talked?”
“Evan, but don’t hold it against him. I made it very hard for him to keep his mouth shut.”
She grins and tilts her head like she’s studying me. “You’re useful,” she says. “And you need money. How about we make a deal?”
“I’m not interested.” I start to turn away, but Daisy speaks up.
“How much do you need? I’ll give it to you.”
I pause and stare at the carpet. A second ago, I was writing a eulogy for my father in my head, but suddenly a new opportunity just appeared. It would involve working with Daisy, which is extremely distasteful, and yet—
“A lot,” I say without looking at her. “In the low millions.”
“We can make that happen if you can convince Melody to sign some paperwork.”
