Sins (Havoc of Sins #3)

Chapter 15

Kenna

“ Y our turn.” Salazar grinned playfully from behind his glass. “What’s your re-do?”

“I like to draw. Design, really.” I rubbed my arm as I opened up. “A friend of mine is expanding her business and saw some of my drawings. She asked me to design some of the rooms. Mr. Gates also extended an invitation for me to design some rooms in Secrets.”

“That’s huge.” He seemed impressed. “You must be good. Why haven't you pursued this before?”

“I have, actually.” My smile fluttered. “Before I became a hostess, I wanted to go to a school for design, but my father needed help, and you don't say no to my father. Well, not then, anyway.” I laughed awkwardly.

“Yes, Cameron Tame has an interesting way about him.” He gave a sardonic smile.

“That he does.”

Grim whisked across the lobby to where we were. “Excuse me, Salazar, but I need Kenna to come with me. It’s important.”

“I’ll be right back,” I assured Salazar.

“No,” Grim shook his head, “she’ll need the night.”

Salazar stood. “Of course.” He nodded at me, then Grim. “If you need anything, you know how to reach me.”

“Thanks.” Grim wrapped a hand around my waist and steered me away.

“Grim, what the hell?”

“I need you to come to my place. Just keep walking,” he hesitated, “please.” He steered me toward the elevator. An odd feeling went through me at his tone, and I didn’t argue.

He didn’t say a word on the ride up to his floor, but his hand kept flexing on my hip. Minnie and Tess were waiting in his living room as we entered. Jesse had the dogs by him, and I could see they looked stressed and annoyed that there were people in their space.

“Hey, babe.” Minnie wrapped her arms around me then looked over at Grim. “Be careful. Stress can be dangerous at her stage.”

“Out with it,” I ordered. “What the hell is this? I don’t like being handled, so spill it.”

“Your sister was killed today,” Grim carefully said.

I let his words spin around my head as I tried to get them to stick in one place.

“She was with Simon in their office, Simon went out back to grab something, and they made a move on her.”

“They?”

“Potens,” Minnie answered.

“But,” the words fell from my lips as I went numb, “they were after me, not her.”

Grim eyed me. “We don’t have all the details yet, but that’s what we know so far.”

“Okay.” I nodded a few more times than necessary. “Yeah, okay.” Everything went still as a few good memories I’d had with Calli played out in front of me.

“Kenna,” Minnie was in my face, “hon, did you see the doctor today?” I nodded again. “How far along?”

“Around six weeks,” I whispered and looked around as the floor seemed to crumble beneath me. “I think I need to lay down.” Grim was by my side immediately and steered me to the bedroom. “Why would they kill my sister?” I wondered out loud.

Grim eased me down on my side and covered me with a blanket. He sat next to me and brushed the hair off my face. “You have my word I’ll get you answers.”

I turned and looked up at him and saw the worry on his face. “Thank you.”

“Kenna, I need you to be okay.” He took my hand and placed it on my stomach. “You both need to be okay.” I nodded and sniffed. “I’m going to let you have some time alone. I’ll be in my office down the hall.” He kissed me. “I’m sorry about Calli.”

He stood, and I felt a chill as the door quietly closed behind him. The moment he was gone, a painful, soul-shattering cry tore from somewhere deep inside. We may have been oil and water, but she was my sister, and she was a part of me.

A week went by in a blur. Grim insisted I take time off, but I couldn’t imagine being left alone with my thoughts. I spent a great deal of it in a fog. Part of it was exhaustion from being pregnant, but most of it was the idea that a part of me was now gone. The worst part was not being able to tell Calli that even though we were mostly at odds, I still loved her.

My father had disappeared, and that left my mother and me to deal with everything. When I broke all my rules and asked Simon if my father was all right, he explained Dad needed time and he found it difficult to look at me because I reminded him of her. That was a slap in the face and instantly put my head back on straight. At least Simon offered to help wherever he could, and we were thankful for that.

The funeral came and went, and the whole time I found myself wondering why they had targeted Calli. I was the one they’d been after. What had my sister done? She was just a daddy’s girl. Who could she have made angry enough to kill her?

The door of the private chapel where I sat at the end of a pew opened, and without thought, I dropped low and slid into the shadow behind a pillar. It was part reaction and part just because I didn’t want company.

“What do you mean he’s dead?” my father hissed, and I froze. I strained to listen then risked a peek around the pillar to see if he was with someone. “You told me Ines agreed to testify even after his stupid conscience got to him.” Holy shit, Morey Ines . That nervous, wrinkly-suit lawyer was dead? “Explain to me why every time we pay a witness to go up against the Devil's Reach, they end up with a bullet in their head.” He scoffed. “I don’t care it was suicide! He was a damn poor choice, and now look where it’s gotten us. We’ve got nothing, and the police are close to solving the fucking Riverside case.”

What ? I shuddered as I remembered the image Brick had shown me of those poor veterans who had been murdered, their necks sliced ear to ear. It was the reason I’d gone after Matt Myers, to stop him from falsely testifying against Devil’s Reach. My head spun as I pieced everything together. I had no idea they’d paid Morey to testify instead. I remembered how strangely he’d acted in my office that day with all his questions, but I would never have connected it to that.

Holy shit, my father really was the Devil in disguise.

I considered stepping out to show myself. The only thing that stopped me was I wanted to hear more of his conversation.

He plunked down on a pew, and I heard it groan under his weight. “Tell Griple I’m working on it. I’ll make it happen, damn it! I said I would, and I will.” I knew that tone, and I could tell his temper was flaring again. You never knew when Cameron would blow. He was his own worst enemy. “We need him out. I know that. I’ll find another witness!” I heard him hang up and jumped when he cursed God’s name. The candles flickered across the aisle, and I waited and hoped he’d be struck by lightning or something.

Of course, my father was up to more shady shit, only this time I was going to confront him on it. I stepped around the corner as he turned toward a sound, and I saw his face drop. I jerked back before he spotted me. I wanted to see who it was. I ducked and moved across to another pillar so I could see better.

“Sit,” a familiar voice ordered. To my surprise, Jim and Laurel walked up the aisle hand in hand then sat on either side of him.

Holy shit, was I about to witness a hit?

My entire body broke out in a sweat as an uncomfortable heat flowed through me. I tightened my hold on the pillar as my palms grew damp.

They both whispered something, I wondered if it was a prayer as they looked up at the cross. Laurel looked in control and powerful again, and Jim looked strong and carried a level of darkness I’d always known was there. Yes, the Gates family was back in check, and I found my mouth stretching into a smile. Good.

Jim leaned back and laced his fingers together behind his head. “Cameron, do you remember when I first got sick?” My father nodded slightly. “We’d met only a few times before that happened. You were my lawyer, and you got me out of a very sticky situation I was in.” Jim nodded as if to agree with himself and dropped his hands to his knees. “Then you brought me that excellent doctor, and if it wasn’t for him, I’m not sure I’d be here today. He helped nurse me back to life again.”

“I never believed in miracles until the day he cleared you of cancer.” Laurel smiled warmly at Jim, who gave her an affectionate smile back.

“I felt I was forever in your debt. After all, you saved my life. I opened the door and let you in, I shared my wealth, connections, and family with you. I should have known by the way you behaved with your own family that something was off with you, but I was blinded with gratitude.” A shadow darkened Jim’s face as he flexed his jaw. “Lesson learned.”

“Yes, we certainly learned our lesson.” Laurel nodded in agreement.

“The worst thing a parent can do is outlive their children. That kind of pain wasn’t meant for our hearts to take.” Jim’s voice was deeply sad, and Dad’s head bobbed, but I didn’t see the pain for Calli in the grooves of his face. Not the way it showed on the faces of Jim and Laurel.

“I know,” Jim continued in a low but strong tone that seemed to echo through my body. “ We know,” he nodded at his wife, “and now you know.” My father sat like stone. You would think he was already dead the way he paled, but his throat contracted as he swallowed hard.

Dad’s gaze was locked on the floor. “It wasn’t supposed to be Leo.” His voice was emotionless, and I saw Laurel close her eyes for a moment, and Jim ran his tongue over his teeth. I covered my mouth in fear I’d cry for Leo all over again. I’d believed it was true that my father had done it, but hearing him say those words out loud sent a spear deep into my heart. I wanted to cry for Grim, too, because he’d never get over what had happened to his brother.

“Well, Cameron, now that you know what it’s like to lose a child,” Laurel glared at him with such hatred I blinked, “we wanted to let you marinate in that pain for a bit. We want you to feel the ache we felt, to think about the life that was stolen from them, and for what?” She looked over at Jim, and for a hair of a second, I wondered if they’d ordered the hit on my sister. They couldn’t have. Right? They were dangerous people, but they weren’t cold-hearted monsters like my father was.

“Yes, you must have wondered why we didn’t end your pathetic life after you had our son murdered.” My father visibly shook as Jim stood and buttoned his jacket.

Laurel squared her shoulders and made the sign of the cross. She stood and turned to look down on my father. “Never underestimate a mother who has lost a child.” Her ominous words hung in the air. I held my breath and wondered what was about to happen. Jim offered his hand to Laurel, and they both walked toward the door of the church and left without even so much as a backward glance.

I took a breath and pursed my lips as I blew it out. I waited for the door to close then looked over at the man whose very DNA would forever be linked with mine. I was so terribly ashamed of that. I was his family. He was my father, and that was going to be hard to live with.

I emerged from the shadows, and the movement made him jump. He put a hand to his chest. “What the fuck, Kenna?” His fear of what was promised was written all over his face. His days were numbered, and he knew it. I could totally understand the sick thrill the Gateses got from watching him cower at every bump, but I also knew the real reason my father still had a heartbeat was because there were still some unanswered questions.

“I take it you caught the show?” he grunted and tugged at his tie.

I stepped closer until I stared down at him. It was the first time I’d seen him as small, not in size, but in character.

“I’m a dead man.” He wiped his sweaty face with a handkerchief. “I want you to offer Trigger money, see if he can do something about this situation.”

The nerve.

“No,” I said quietly and was gifted a glare that at one time would have made me second guess my words. Instead, I remained totally calm. I kept my voice strong as I looked at him like the pathetic lump he was. “I won’t grieve for you, ever. Grief is reserved for those you hold deep in your heart. You’re the cancer that grows around it, that feeds on the love it holds. When the Gateses decide to make their move, I hope it isn’t quick. I want you to have time to think about all that you’ve done to get you here.” I looked around. “May your fate be as damned as the evil that lurks deep beneath our feet.”

I spun around with a hollow laugh and walked out. I finally felt free.

The casino at Secrets was in full swing when I got back. The burlesque theme with all the black, red, and gold seemed to be a crowd pleaser. Of course, the half-naked girls in cages helped. It drew in the younger crowd. Men wanted to have them, and women wanted to be them.

“Table nine seems to be on a rather long lucky streak,” one of the waitresses mentioned as she walked by me. “Might be worth backing up the tapes.” I nodded and decided to check it out myself. Mr. Hong didn’t arrive for several hours, so I had some free time.

The security room at Secrets was even more impressive than the one at Indulge, and that was saying something. I used a key and my fingerprint to gain access then stepped inside the room. I came face to face with someone I didn’t recognize.

“It’s okay,” Grim said from behind him. “That’s Kenna Tame, my fiancée.” The man stepped back, and I saw Grim. He sat on the edge of a desk and smiled as he acknowledged me. “This is Agent Cooper Colins with the FBI, and these,” he indicated with his hand, “are some of his associates.”

My stomach bottomed out for a second, but then I took in Grim’s cool composure and steadied myself. It wasn’t often the FBI was around, and I worried if something had happened.

“She’s your fiancée?” Agent Colins grinned down at me with a smile that gave me the shivers. “No way.” He chuckled. “She’s gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” I moved around him and stood next to Grim, and he slid an arm around my waist.

“She sure is.” He kissed the side of my head. I rather liked Grim’s possessive side. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, just a possible problem at table nine.” He nodded at Jesse, who slipped out of the room. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were in a meeting.”

“It’s fine.” He didn’t let me go, so I guessed I was staying. “So, what did you find out on the Potens?”

Agent Colins glanced at me then at Grim. “Not a lot, more about how they started and that they went quiet after their founder went to prison. There’s been chatter they’re back and after Vegas again. You, Trigger, and Elio have all been mentioned along with Melvern Trident, Jr.”

Grim tossed his head back and laughed. “That little shit’ll be taken out by his own gun before they’ll ever get a chance at him.”

“Nonetheless, your names are out there, and they’re around. Give me a bit more time to dig, and in the meantime, I’ll leave a few agents behind and see what they can find.” Colins caught my eye as he said that and shrugged. “Let me dig some more, we’ll know about it soon enough. The fact they haven’t moved on it since you got back is interesting.”

“Do you think it was called off? Is that a thing?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“No,” Grim shook his head, “once a hit’s in place, it’s followed through to the end.”

“Grim’s right. You can’t take it back.”

“Great,” I muttered and wondered when my time would come.

Agent Colins seemed to take pity on me, and his frown deepened. “I’m sure Grim’s got you well covered, and I’ve put a few extra men at the hotel.”

“I appreciate that,” Grim answered for me. “All right, so, I give you Tony Farrell, and that makes us even for you getting Agent Paul over the border?”

What did I just walk into? And who was Agent Paul?

“Agreed.” Agent Colins nodded. He eyed one of his men then looked back at Grim. “There’s something else.” He looked at me.

“Just say it,” Grim answered. “She’s fine.”

“I need you to pull back on your retaliation with Talya’s parents.” Grim’s arm around me tightened, and I could almost feel the anger burn through him. “We’re watching Jerry Cano, her father, and?—"

Grim cut him off. “Don’t speak to me like I don’t know who they are or what they did. They nearly wiped out part of the Devil’s Reach and almost killed Kenna in my trailer—" His fingers flexed on my hip, and I slid my hand over his to let him know I was okay. “What I have planned for them is kinder than what they deserve.”

“I’m not questioning your motives, Grim, but he’s been in contact with some people we’re watching, and we need him alive.” Agent Colins stepped toward us. “Look I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt someone I loved, too, so consider this favor and I’ll be in your debt once again.”

“A debt I’ll collect on,” Grim hissed through clenched teeth.

“Of course.”

Grim looked down at me, and I wished I could read his thoughts. “If the Canos ever step foot in Vegas,” he tore his gaze off mine, “they’re dead.”

“Understood.” Agent Colins waved to his men and left.

I relaxed and sagged into Grim’s side. “Interesting men who work for the FBI.” I glanced up at him.

“You have no idea.”

Something hit me. “Do you think it was wise that I heard any of that?”

“It just means you can’t go anywhere,” he gave me a devilish grin, “because if you did, I’d have to hunt you down.”

I raised a brow with a playful smirk. “I do love to be hunted.” I pressed my body into his. “And whatever would you do when you caught me?”

“The question, sweetheart,” he grabbed the back of my head, “is what wouldn’t I do.” He kissed me deeply, and my world tilted. His other hand pressed against my lower back, and I felt how turned on he was. Everything inside me came to life, and I ran my hands along his erection. I popped the button on his pants and undid his belt. I needed him.

“I want you so bad right now, but I have a meeting.” He squeezed his eyes shut, and I almost cried. “Fuck it.” His hands slid up my skirt, snagged my panties, ripped them down, and tossed them aside, then he sat on one of the computer chairs. He turned me to face him then lifted me onto his lap and lowered me onto him. I gasped, and our eyes met. His mouth opened as he tried to slow himself down. I leaned my head back; it felt so good. He grabbed my hips and controlled the speed as we moved together. We both knew anyone could walk in at any moment. “Say it.” His neck bulged, and I knew he wanted to let loose.

“Say what?” I was confused by his question but also lost in the buildup that was budding inside.

He increased the speed, and all I could do was hold on ,to his shoulders. The only sound was our bodies as they collided and our heavy breaths. “That you’ll be my wife.”

I let go then, and my thighs and stomach clenched as I rode out wave after wave until I collapsed over his shoulder. He lifted me and put me against the wall with one leg over his shoulder, and his neck strained with every thrust as he took what he needed. His eyes were locked on mine.

“I’ll be your wife,” I promised him again, “all yours to do whatever you want with.” I gasped as he sent me up the wall with all his might. I fisted his hair for balance and held on.

“All mine,” he whispered as I heard him give in with a groan. His shudders continued and his teeth bared. Then he sucked in a deep breath and peeled me off. My bones felt like Jell-O as he put me down on the chair. He handed me my panties, but when I went for them, he pulled them away. “I’m a patient man, Kenna. I agreed to a few weeks, but after that,” he tenderly grabbed my chin, “you’re marrying me.” He kissed me once. “Benny asked Minnie about you yesterday. Tell him you’re taken, or I will.”

I loved my possessive asshole, but I also wasn’t about to start this new relationship by backing down. This was what we did.

I checked my dress in the reflection of a computer screen. “First, you’re not a patient man, Grim. Nowhere close, actually. And second,” I snagged my lipstick out of my purse and reapplied it, “I will tell Benny when I’m good and ready.”

“Kenna,” he growled and leaned down close to me, but I snagged his crotch and held him in place.

“I’m yours, Grim. I’m carrying your baby. I agreed to marry you.” I pulled out the ring and slipped it on my finger to show him I was serious.

“You carry it with you?” He seemed pleased.

“I do. So don’t question me when I need a moment to process things.” I stepped into him, and his hand covered mine, giving himself a good pump. The man was a beast. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.” I dragged my tongue along his neck. “Since you just did yours.”

Once outside in the hall, I tucked the gorgeous ring safely back into the zippered pocket in my purse and headed down to the casino. I was almost to the end of the hall when I heard my phone go off.

“Simon, hi.” I wondered why he’d call me. “What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping to steal a few moments of your time.”

I bet he’d got wind about what happened at the church. “If this is about my father, I’m not interested.”

“Yes, but it’s important, Kenna,” he pressed. “Please.”

I closed my eyes; my father was the last person I wanted to talk about. “Ah.” I checked my watch.

“I promise you really want to hear this.”

Shit . “All right, where are you?”

I’d been to my father’s office in the hotel before, but I’d never been to the office Simon used when they worked on the twentieth floor. It was tucked away around a corner from Dad’s, and I usually tried to avoid that whole area whenever I could. His door was open when I arrived, and his profile looked pensive. He was hunched over in his chair, his chin rested on his palm, and his face glowed pale in the light from the computer screen. I knocked softly, and he turned his head. His warm smile had no effect on the sadness in his eyes.

“Kenna, hey,” he tapped his keyboard and turned off his screen, “please come in.” He got up and pointed to the couch, then he sat in a chair across from it.

“Okay.” I sighed and set my purse next to me as I crossed my legs and settled in. I knew this wasn’t going to be something I wanted to hear. “What do you have for me?”

“How are you?”

Ugh. “I’m sure you know people often ask that question to stall for time before telling someone crappy news.” I gave him a knowing look. “Come on, Simon, we’re closer than that.” He leaned back with a nod. “Just spit it out.” He still didn’t speak, and I decided I wasn’t going to waste my time, and I hooked my arm through my purse and rose to leave.

“Your father, he’s done something.”

“Really? That’s it?” I made a face. “Like murder, spread mayhem, destroy innocent lives, including mine?” I dripped with sarcasm.

He pushed his glasses up his nose then rubbed his lips. I almost took pity on him. I noticed the way he was sweating, and he looked like he was about to be sick. He ran his hands over his thighs and leaned forward. “Shit.” I’d never heard Simon curse before, so I knew this was hard on him.

“Okay, Simon, you have my attention. What’s going on?” I plunked back down on the couch.

“Screw it.” He pulled his chair closer to me. “I need to tell you the truth.”

“I’m listening.”

“But I need to start from the beginning.” I nodded and waved for him to get on with it. “Back in the early fifties, there was this group that wanted to take over the drug trade here in Vegas. They called themselves the Potens.”

“Yes, it’s Latin for powerful. They liked to relate themselves to the Metriorhynchidae, which is a crocodile. You can skip that part.”

His brows shot up like he was impressed. “Very well, then.” I had thrown him off with that. He thought for a moment and started again. “As you may know, then, the group went dormant after their head guy got life in jail. But then ten years ago or so, some of them started to re-surface. They were looking for an opening, some way to get a foothold in Vegas, and that’s where your father came into play.”

“Jesus.”

“Your father made a show of flashing around, letting people know about all the highly powerful people he knew. Anyway, he caught the attention of the Potens. At first, they hired him to keep one of their own out of prison. Cameron made all kinds of promises, but in the end, he failed them. He had a fall guy to take the rap, but it fell through, and one of the Potens’ leaders ended up getting life without parole. He was murdered shortly after. Let’s just say it left a bad taste in their mouth. They weren’t happy.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “this is where it gets scary. The Potens lived by one law. They gave you one chance, then you were forever in their debt. That’s why they showed up that day at your house and never left. He and your family now belonged to them.”

“I remember. I answered the door, they came in, and never left.”

“The downfall of being cocky,” he shrugged with a grim look, “because Cameron bragged about his big client, Jim Gates, who owned many highly successful hotels all over the world, including Indulge here in Vegas. That got their attention. Cameron’s debt was to get the Potens inside the Gateses’ world. They were patient, and they wanted to hunker down and wait for the perfect moment to destroy them from the inside out.”

“Oh, my God.” I covered my mouth.

“Cameron had just gotten Jim off for embezzlement a year prior, right around the time he got sick with cancer, and your father did everything in his power to find him the best doctors. He knew how valuable the Gateses were to his survival. He couldn’t risk Jim dying.”

“So, you’re telling me my sister and I lived with a bunch of American mafia men for years because my father got cocky?”

He nodded. “To put it simply, yes.”

“That’s just great.” I rubbed my chin. “Well, that explains a lot.” Something nagged at me. “So, who was it? Who was the head of the Potens when they approached my father all those years ago?”

“I’m not sure, exactly, and to be truthful, I’m not sure if Cameron ever really knew who their leader was. But that segues me into this next part.”

“Oh, there’s more?” I laughed darkly. “Super.”

“I may not know who the head of the Potens is either, then or now, but I can tell you who’s extremely powerful and just made a big play. His name is Elias Griple.”

Hold up. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

“He’s one of your father’s clients. ” He finger-quoted.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course he is.” I waved for him to continue.

“Griple was going down for first degree murder, so Cameron used his go-to and lined up a fall guy. This time a Martin Castillo.”

“One of the big Cartel bosses.” I showed him I knew who he was, too.

Simon silenced a call that came through. “Correct, but Grim got to Castillo first, and long story short, he’s dead and Griple’s in prison for life and pissed.” He paused and reached for the water behind him. “Not to mention that Cameron got Griple’s nephew Sasha killed.”

“Oh, shit.” A chill raced over me. I wasn’t going to share that Sasha had also been one of Grim’s kills.

“Kenna, this part is the worst part.” Simon’s face grew even paler. “Griple gave Cameron a choice after Sasha’s death. To pick one of his own to be killed. You or Calli.”

“What?” My entire body felt like it had been tossed across the room and slammed into a wall.

“Cameron chose you to die,” he blurted. I slowly sank back into the couch cushions and pulled in my chin as I tried to take in his words. “Then, because he chose you, it showed Griple that Calli was more important to him than you were. So, he retaliated and killed Calli instead. Maybe he got the idea from Cameron’s messed-up hit on Grim when he got Leo instead.”

“Why?” My throat was so dry I could barely get the word out.

“I don’t know.” Simon dropped to his knees in front of me and took my hands. “Kenna, I know this is a lot to take in, so hear me when I say this part. I don’t know if we can ever speak for this long alone again. I don’t know what’s going to happen now. But I do know the hit on you in Italy wasn’t Griple. Someone else is making a move on you, and I need you to keep your head down and eyes open. I need you to be careful while I try to figure out who ordered that hit.”

“Who ordered that hit,” I parroted as his words bounced around my head and I tried to make sense of it all. “Dad put a hit on me, and they took out my baby sister instead?”

“Yes.” He nodded, and tears raced down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Kenna. I—” He closed his eyes, and more tears fell. “I loved her, too.”

This was all too much, so I grabbed my purse. “I need to go.”

“Kenna, wait.”

“I need to think.”

I flew down the hallway, and once the elevator doors closed behind me, I stared at the buttons as my body flooded with confusion, hate, and deep-rooted sadness. I covered my mouth and released a silent sob and held on to the rail to steady myself as I tried to purge the pain. My temples throbbed as a sharp pain drove through my core.

How could I not have seen what was going on? How could my father be this horrible of a human? My lungs begged for air and reminded me I was no longer alone in this world.

“Sorry, little one.” I rubbed my tummy and forced myself to swallow back the sobs that wanted release. “I’m trying. I really am.” Then something hit me and brought a whole new wave of devastation. Did she know? Could she have? Surely, she did.

I dried my cheeks as anger surged and strengthened me. I stood straight and ran my hands down my dress with a deep inhale. I’m ready. Let’s go.

I rushed down the hallway, burst through the door, and found my mother. She sat and stared at the wall with a book on her lap.

“Mom!” I called, but she didn’t respond. Fresh anger ripped through me, and I marched across the floor and knocked the book to the floor.

She jumped and blinked a few times. “Kenna?”

“You don’t get to check out on me! Not after what’s happened.” I let myself open a box I’d always kept tightly closed inside me. It hurt too much. “Why did you stay married to Dad? All those years, why?”

“What’s gotten into you?” She stood, swiped the book from the floor, and turned her back as she slowly placed a marker in her spot and closed it. She carefully placed it on the arm of the chair with measured movements.

“I used to travel with you everywhere, remember, but then as soon as Dad got in trouble with a client, you left me there.” Tears poured down my cheeks. “Left me and Calli in a house full of strange men.”

“Kenna, dear. You know I started to travel to more remote places. I didn’t think it was safe for you.” She looked away rather than at me. “It would have been nearly impossible to have taken you to some of those places.”

I shook my head. What was she not getting? “But it was safe to leave me there, with them? You chose to leave us. You weren’t there to protect us.”

She sank back down into her chair and covered her forehead with the back of her hand. “You had your father there to protect you.”

“Dad?” I laughed like a crazy person. “Dad was well aware of the type of men who were in our home. Lots of times, I was approached, and let me tell you, Mom, he never once protected me. You know what he’s like. In fact, when I did break away and tried to have a better life, he sucked me back. Back to this town – back to his life.”

“I didn’t know.”

I tossed my hand in the air. “Because you didn’t want to know. Because you weren’t there!” I yelled. “Calli was completely brainwashed, and look where she ended up!”

“Oh, Kenna.” She finally looked up at me, and her mournful expression told me for the first time since I was a teen, she was really listening. I softened my voice. “Mom, you need to hear this. Sasha Landry was the nephew of Dad’s client. He was killed recently, and that client gave dad an ultimatum, to have me or Calli be killed.”

“What?” Her eyes went wide as she looked up at me with an open mouth.

“Yes, Mom, and my father chose. He chose me.” As I said it, my heart that had already been riddled with tiny cracks by my father’s sins now shattered in tiny pieces at the storm inside me.

Before Mom could recover, I choked out the last painful detail. “His choice made them see who he really cared about, so they killed Calli instead.” I broke into a sob.

“Kenna!” She jumped to her feet, her head shaking in denial. “Your father would never, ever do such a thing. I can’t believe it. How can you make such a terrible accusation?”

I closed my eyes and let my heavy tears run freely down my cheeks. How could she say such a thing to me? “When have I ever told you anything without being able to back my truth?”

“He’s your father?—”

“He’s a monster who got one of your children murdered.”

My head jerked to the side as the sting of her slap burned my cheek. Numb . My mother had always heard me out before, but she usually tried to make me see that I simply misunderstood my father and his intentions. I realized now that she never really wanted to see him for who he was. She’d gone too far this time.

“Oh, Kenna,” she covered her mouth in horror, “I’m so sorry, honey, but I know you must have it all wrong.” She reached out, but I stepped back, as the pain of her betrayal was almost too much to bear.

“Well,” I sniffed, “lucky for me Simon has a copy of the prison tape that says otherwise.” He didn’t have it, but I knew he could get it. I put a hand on my stomach and hoped my baby wouldn’t ever feel the sting of such a hit. “You don’t get to decide to be a mother one moment and the next look the other way when things go wrong. Wake up, Mother, and open your eyes. You should be a mother first before anything else! My father isn’t worth your love.” I turned and headed for the door.

“I know he isn’t. Kenna, I’m so sorry. Please stop.” I looked over my shoulder at the sudden change in the tone of her voice. “It won’t count for much, but let me at least explain why I left in the beginning. Why I didn’t take you with me. Will you give me a chance?” I gave a tight nod and waited for her to go on.

My mother’s confession fanned the flames inside me to an all-consuming blaze. When I left her, I grabbed the elevator phone inside the steel box and furiously punched zero. “Gavin?” You couldn’t miss my tone, and I knew he was looking at me through the security camera. “Where’s my father?”

“Well, now, Ms. Kenna, the last time I saw him he was in his beloved showman box on display for everyone.” I hit the floor button and felt my phone buzz in my hand.

Grim: Why were you with Simon today? Is there something I should know?

I tucked my phone away. One thing at a time.

“Ms. Kenna, is there anything I can do to help?”

I waited until the doors opened for the restaurant’s floor in case he tried to stop me. “Yes. Give me a head start if the police show up.” I slammed the phone down and raced out.

A few employees called my name, but I ignored them as I marched toward where my father sat in his famous showcase seat. How dare he use the place of our family dinners to show what a coward he was? The place was busy, of course. That was why he stayed there. I saw his security agent’s expression; he was beyond stressed. Simon just kept shaking his head as he listened to my father, who spoke to both of them. I briefly wondered if he’d found out about Simon’s meeting with me. Either way, something was going to happen because I’d had enough.

I caught Laurel Gates’ eye from the far side of the restaurant. She had a phone to her ear. She held up a hand, then slowly lowered it. Her expression was full of worry, but nothing could stop me now.

I slammed open the door with my palm, and it hit so hard against the glass wall it boomed throughout the whole place, and everyone looked our way.

“You Goddamn son of a bitch!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

Someone grabbed me from behind, but I whirled and rammed the heel of my hand into his nose just like Morgan had taught me and heard it crack. He yelled and stepped back, and when I turned, Simon was in front of me. His eyes were wild with concern, and he took hold of my arm.

“For fuck’s sake, Kenna, sit down or I’ll make you sit down.” Dad’s nasty voice found me as he looked out of the corner of his eye. He knew very well that everyone now stared at us. Fine. Now you’re getting what you want.

“Kenna.” Simon looked rattled as he cupped my elbow. “Is everything all right?”

“We are far from all right, Simon.”

His throat contracted, and he stepped back and got out of my way. Smart man . Brick popped into view, but I shook my head to keep him at bay.

“Kenna,” Dad lowered his voice, but it was still sharp and nasty, “you’re making a scene. Sit down.”

He was right, I was, and now that I had the attention, it was time to bust this shit wide open. I wasn’t in my teens anymore; I wasn’t a kid desperate for his approval. I wanted nothing from him but to finish this. I lowered into a chair and slipped my mind into cool and collected.

Grim burst into the room and looked around, and relief spread through him when he spotted me.

“Gates, this is a family matter,” Dad growled. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“I disagree.” I pulled out the chair next to me. “Grim.” I nodded at the chair. He was already on his way over and sat down and moved it closer to me. His hand landed on my leg. It surprised me that he didn’t flip out or demand I leave. I wondered if Gavin had called him right after I hung up. His mother now watched us from a place near the bar.

As Dad looked around, I saw the corners of his mouth turn up. We were on display like a fucking National Geographic documentary. He might think he was safe from death, but he wasn’t safe from the truth.

“I got a call today.” I tapped my nails on the tabletop and avoided a look toward Simon. I hoped he’d know I wouldn’t toss him in the line of fire. “He had a lot to share.”

“I don’t have time for this right now.” Dad attempted to brush me off, but I grabbed a glass from the center of the table and tossed it hard at the glass wall. It burst and shattered above him, and he yelped and covered his head. The customers at the tables around us now stood and looked toward us with concern. I ignored everyone except the pathetic coward across from me.

“You will listen to me, you sorry excuse for a father.” I dripped with venom. “You brag and brag about how great you are as a lawyer. Then why’d you lose a case for the Potens?” His eyes popped wide open at that. “You let them fill our home with dangerous men. You know they stepped over the line with me. And not just me, by the way,” I shot him a hateful glare, “with Calli too.” I noticed Simon’s head tilted at me.

“I’m not listening to this drivel. Get out of here, now!” Dad glanced around like a cornered hare. “You make me sound like a mobster.”

I ignored him and looked around at the now interested faces. “You went after Grim and got Leo killed, you went after me and got Calli killed. You’re the worst mobster I’ve ever seen.” I heard someone gasp. It might not be exactly right, but who was counting?

“That’s enough!” He slammed his fist on the table, and the water glasses rattled.

“That’s what I thought!” I screamed matching his volume. “But of course it keeps going because you’re Cameron Tame. You’re the big man who can’t help but make my life much worse than you already have.” Grim pulled out his gun and rested it on his thigh. I covered his hand and slipped my finger over the trigger and tried to pull it from his hand, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Maybe we should all take a breather.” The security agent tried to step in, but Jesse, to my absolute delight, elbowed him in the stomach, and he gasped and stepped back with a nod. I swung my gaze back to Dad. He looked stricken.

“Tell her the truth, Cameron,” Simon said. “Give her that much.”

Dad’s face turned red as his blood pressure no doubt skyrocketed. “Did you have something to do with this? You stupid little weasel, you’re trying to play me!”

“You played your entire family!”

“About that,” I stepped in, “at what point were you going to admit you kept Zara around as your secretary because you were sleeping with her mother?” I pulled on Grim’s gun again, but he refused to loosen his grip. Then he tried to pull it free himself, but I held on. We were in a frigging tug of war for who got to kill the asshole first. I almost smiled.

“All right!” Dad swung his arms, and I saw the sweat on his forehead. “I loathe the ground you walk on, Grim Gates. You’ve screwed everything up for me since you came back, and now you’re sleeping with my daughter!” He pounded on his chest.

“Actually…” I interrupted and placed my left hand on the table. My huge engagement ring flashed like fire in the lights above the table, and Dad’s face paled.

Grim slid his hand over my stomach and kissed my cheek. “And,” he gave Dad a big smile, “she’s carrying my child.”

Bang!

The sound deafened me, then I registered blood as it sprayed over the glass behind his head. For a split second of fear, my eyes flew to Grim, but his head was turned away. In one long blink, I saw the gun. It was being removed from the hands of my mother by Jesse.

“He killed my baby,” she sobbed. Grim’s mother stepped through the stunned crowd and put an arm around her. “I’m so sorry, Kenna, I’m so sorry.” Then she was whisked away by Jesse and swallowed up in the crowd of stunned dinner guests.

“Time to go,” Grim pulled me to my feet, “before the police arrive.” He shielded me as we made our way out of there.