Page 131 of The Secrets She Keeps

“He has never been a very likable man,” Melissa added, popping the pan of vegetables into the oven to roast. “Daniel is nothing like his father, thank goodness. We know that—but I don’t know that our Daniel does. But I do agree—he’s not getting Heather. We’re keeping her for Mac. Heaven help us all. These just need to roast with the sauce on top for about twenty. You bring Daniel back here, Gunnar. He needs to know he’s still loved and welcomed here. Get. We’ll have dinner when you get back.”

Daniel was waitingat the end of the Barratts’ drive, just prowling around.

Daniel was more on edge now than Gunnar had ever seen him. When this was over, Gunnar hoped Daniel figured out what he really wanted.

The man was too alone now. The TSP was starting to consume him. In a way far too familiar to Gunnar. He’d probablyhave been the same way—if he hadn’t become so consumed with Powell Melissa Barratt instead.

Daniel deserved more for a life than the TSP.

“I have the keys.”

Gunnar led the way.

90

Trey wentaround the back of the house and down to the sidewalk.

He had Tuell and Pete with him now. Ashton and that other guy he couldn’t stand and never remembered the name of were around the back with the delivery truck. They were going to load it up fast and get the hell out of Hughes Heights. Those two worked fast when money was involved. Such hard workers—they were so going places someday.

Trey was going to leave the last stash they had over on Alexander Blvd. It wasn’t big enough to worry about. And that stupid cop MacNamara lived up the street there. He was always watching everybody on that street. Getting in the way.

Someone should take him out. It would make life so much easier. Justpop, pop,while the dude was right there next to that hot-ass wife of his.

But MacNamara was someone else’s problem now.

Trey had made the decision. He was getting the hell out of Finley Creek. And staying out. He was going to take his dad with him. And the little bitch-brat. Couldn’t just leave precious Leena behind or nothing.

His phone rang. His dad. Wanting to know where he was. Trey gave him some bullshit about visiting a friend by the park. His dad actually thought Trey was trying to do things right or something.

Sometimes his dad was so fucking naive it was pathetic.

He had just disconnected the phone when he saw them.

The streetlight was just enough to show just who was coming right at him.

Trey slipped behind the garage and sent a group text.

They had trouble coming.Erickson.

About to walk right up to the sidewalk where the guys were loading. If Erickson found them, they were beyond screwed.

He looked at Pete and Tuell. They had to do something. Fast. Trey texted Ashton and his asshole friend.

They were going to do what they had to do.

Not like they hadn’t done it before.

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They were just there.Out of nowhere.

Gunnar slammed to the ground when a man equally his size jumped him right off the side of the entrance to Powell’s latest purchase.

He called out. Just as a second man, then a third, came out of nowhere.

Daniel was on the ground. Fighting like hell.

“Damned cops!” one nearest Gunnar said. Gunnar reached for his weapon, but there was no way he could get to it in time. There were at least five of them. He slammed his fist into one man’s face. The guy reared back.

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