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“You think I’m a terrible father, but I did something right.”
Teague stared at his father.
“How is killing my aunt and parents retaliation against Teague?” I couldn’t wrap my mind around all these horrible events.
“I told you I don’t know,” he said impatiently. “Maybe he didn’t want Teague to have money or love. Maybe he hoped to scare all of you into doing whatever it is he wanted.”
He spoke in possibilities but sounded certain in his answer. It was all so ugly.
“I must go.” He tilted his head. “I underestimated you, Pepper. You hired shark attorneys, but I’ll have that small-time attorney toss that letter.”
“You were behind that?” Teague growled.
“I capitalized on an opportunity,” his father said. “I need you at Hollingsworth Properties. She’s the only one who seems to motivate you.”
He vanished into the distance. A silence descended on us.
“I feel like I’ve been slapped.” Beau rubbed her cheek for emphasis.
“I need a piece of cake.” Miss Adeline had been unusually quiet.
“Let’s go.” Beau linked arms with her.
“You okay? That was a lot to take in.” I put an arm around Teague’s waist. I still hadn’t figured out if his father was involved in the fires. Apparently the authorities didn’t think so since he didn’t so much as have to answer a single question.
We looked at the partygoers who seemed to have already forgotten the drama. Laughter floated toward the sky. Dogs barked and chased each other.
“Yeah,” he said slowly. “I just . . . I’m just so sorry, Pepper. I brought all of this on you, Miss Adeline, and—”
“Stop, Teague. You can’t blame yourself here.”
“No, I can. Well, I can’t take responsibility for the crazy that is my family. I’m just so angry. You, Miss Adeline, all the dogs. You could have been killed.”
“But I wasn’t. We’re okay. The dogs all survived. Someone was looking after us that day.” I had to believe in that to not relive the terrifying moments of being locked in that room with the smoke and fire and fear of death. Teague shook his head.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Think the trouble is over?”
He kissed the side of my head. “Sadie isn’t going anywhere, so I’d say that’s a definite no.”
I grinned. “Trouble is here to stay.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Teague
“Are we really doing this?”
Pepper dragged her feet as we approached the iron gate. I didn’t blame her. The last time we’d been here hadn’t been pleasant.
It wasn’t my favorite place either.
“I need answers.”
She put her hand over mine as I lifted the latch. “We don’t know that we’ll get them.”
And what she didn’t say was that all this turmoil and heartache could be for nothing.
