Page 85 of Hard To Stay

“No!” Lexi shouted, trying to free herself from Laney’s grasp. “Daddy, don’t listen to him.” She looked around at everyone. “Colton is the reason why I left home.” She cried, wiping her eyes with the back of her arm. “The only reason why I’m standing here right now is because he’s been blackmailing me.”

Colton looked like he was barely holding on. His face was frozen; his jaw was tight, his eyes were narrowed, and his fist clenched at his side. He looked like he was ready to pop a blood vessel. “Alexis.” He warned. I pushed my body into his, cutting off his path to Lexi. If he thought he was going to get near her, he was going to have to kick my ass to do it.

He straightened his shoulders and narrowed his eyes at me. “You sure you want to let this continue? Because I can assure you, it won’t end well for either one of you.”

“Give it your best shot, Trust Fund boy.”

He gave me a dark look; the warning was clear. “You’re playing a very dangerous game here, Mr. Morgan. A game you don’t have a chance to win.”

“Oh yeah, how’s that?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

“I have enough photographic evidence of the abuse I suffered from you and your goons to end your careers.”

“Really?” I mocked. I didn’t give a shit what evidence he thought he had. He was going down. “Well, I guess it’s too bad for you that I quit the NYP. I’m no longer a cop employed by the State of New York. Not that it matters because we both know your story is bullshit.”

Lexi’s head snapped towards mine. “What do you mean, you quit?”

“I’ll explain everything to you later.” I told her, and then I turned my attention to Colton. “Now, where were we?”

His nostrils flared. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”

“Colton, don’t!” Lexi pleaded. I was torn between comforting her and kicking the living shit out of him in the living room. For her sake, I was willing to play his little game of cat and mouse. He hadn’t realized it yet, but I knew I had the upper hand.

Colton leveled his gaze on her. “You sure this is what you want? There is no going back from here, my dear. Choose very carefully, Alexis. He’ll pay the price one way or another.”

His threatening tone only infuriated me further. “Don’t you ever talk to her like that again.” I pushed on his chest, sending him stumbling backwards. I had made my mind up; I was going to finish him off. The hell with the consequences, any price I had to pay would be worth it.

Lexi’s father stood between us, angling his head to Colton. “I’m sick of listening to the two of you talk in riddles. I want answers, now!” He demanded, with his face pinched tight.

“Do you want to fill Mr. Manning in, or should I?” I asked, feeling the veins bulge in the back of my neck.

Colton’s gaze briefly skittered to Laney. I could see the beads of sweat building on his forehead because he knew he was fucked.

“Sir, you know me better than anyone. What they are about to tell you is pure lies. Now, I don’t blame Alexis, because he’s brainwashed her against us. Please keep in mind our history. You know the kind of man I am and the family I come from. Don’t believe a word that comes out of this stranger’s mouth.”

“Daddy, he’s lying. He always lies. He’s trying to make Brad out to be the bad guy. I can’t allow him to do that.” Her tears continued to fall. “Colton has done nothing but hurt me. He has done terrible things…”

I saw Mr. Manning’s opinion of Colton start to waver. “Why do you say those things, honey?” He stopped and closed his eyes, like he was working out a puzzle in his head. “You brought things up in the past, but we just assumed that…” He paused, as his face fell. Clarity was finally setting in. I could see in his eyes the moment when he realized the truth. He wiped his hands down his face, shaking his head in disbelief. “You weren’t lying, were you?”

“No, Daddy. I wasn’t lying.”

Colton frantically ran his hands through his hair. “Sir, I know this is a lot to consider, but you know there are always two sides to every story.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

Mr. Manning’s face drained of all color. You could see the guilt settle in. It had been almost a decade, and he was just realizing what a lying, sack of shit Colton Hunt really was. He walked over and pulled Lexi into his chest. Their relationship had been strained over the years, but she was still his daughter.

Lexi’s dad let go of her. He looked at Colton like he was ready to lose his shit. When he stepped forward, I couldn’t help but notice the strong set of his jaw and the visible tension in his shoulders.

“You’re right, Colton. Every story may have two sides, but right now I’m only interested in hearing one.” He looked down at his daughter as if it was the first time he was really seeing her. “Let’s go to my study so we can chat.” He turned to Colton. “You can leave.”

Colton rocked uncomfortably on his feet. His earlier bravado was gone. He nervously yanked at the sleeve of his sport coat, revealing the Brunello Cucinelli label. I knew that jacket probably cost a couple thousand bucks. No doubt purchased using his Daddy’s credit card.

“But, Sir,” he held his hand out, trying to stop him.

“I don’t want to hear it, Colton. I’ve listened to you for the last ten years. I think it’s high time that I started listening to my daughter. Alone!” He seared him with a look that left nothing up for debate.

Colton leaned his head back, looking up at the ceiling. Maybe he was thinking of a way out of this mess. I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was he was done.

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