Page 22 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Well, maybe you should have chosen a location other than Paris for my… ‘sabbatical’,” I whispered angrily, using quoting fingers. I wasn’t sure why, but even when I was committed to keeping the peace, I just couldn’t stop myself from fighting back.

Caleb leaned toward me, grinding his jaw. “And maybe you shouldn’t have run away like a little girl with a temper. You started all–”

“Come on, bro,” Archie clapped his hand on Caleb's shoulder in what seemed to be a friendly gesture, but I knew better. My brother was fiercely protective.

Caleb turned his head and looked at Archie’s hand on his shoulder with a cocked eyebrow as if he couldn’t believe my brother, or anyone for that matter, had dared touch him without his consent. He looked up from Archie’s hand to his face.“If I were you, I’d remove my hand this second, Archibald,” he murmured, so eerily calm it was terrifying.

Archie conceded with a sigh. I knew he was not afraid of Caleb, at least not really. I was pretty sure he was giving in to avoid Caleb taking it out on me later. “You’ll have enough on your plate with your parents coming back tonight. Why does it matter that–”

That caught my attention. “Your parents are coming backtonight?” I all but shrieked. I was not ready. “You said two weeks!”

“And it has been a week. What does it change for you?” He asked, looking at me challengingly.

“I–” What could I say? That, depending on what Antoine was going to tell me, I was planning on snooping around his house? Something I would have a hard time doing with his parents back home. “I would have liked to know. I live there too.” I turned toward my locker to fill my bag; Caleb was too perceptive and I was too transparent. “Have you told them you moved me in?”

He stood there silently and I turned to look at him. His glare was a clear indication he hadn’t.

“Maybe you should tell them. Your mom’s clearly not my biggest fan. She deserves to know I’ll be sharing her space.”Maybe she can force you to send me back to the Forbes Estate,I added to myself.

“How I deal with my parents is none of your concern.” He looked down at his watch. “Aren’t you going to be late for your tutoring session?” he asked tauntingly.

“I am. I’ll see you later.” The elation of having news couldn't be tempered.

I found Antoine sitting on a stool facing the door, a French textbook in front of him.

I grimaced. “Okay…”

He chuckled, opening it to a random page. “Props.” He patted the stool beside him. “If you care to join me.”

I sat beside him. “So, what’s new?”

He chuckled. “Hello to you too, sunshine. I'm doing well, thank you. How about you?”

I blushed at my rudeness, but the teasing look in his eyes showed he hadn’t taken offense.

“I’m sorry, Antoine. It’s just– I want to solve this so much.”

“I know.” He nodded, looking so serious that I was taken aback. “Anyways, so here is what I’ve found so far. The sheriff? Squeaky clean. Seriously, always has been. He is aggravating to our fathers which I enjoy very much. However, there was a deputy at the time - David Phang.” He tapped the piece of paper. “The guy quit six months after your mother’s death and bought himself a Chinese restaurant in New York City, cash. Do you know how much a low-ranking officer makes in such a small town?” He snorted. “He smells fishy.”

“Maybe we can go and ask questions? A road trip or something?”

He shook his head. “No, we need to be smart about it. If there was foul play, it happened thirteen years ago. Their guard is down now, and if any evidence exists, it will be easier to find. However, if anyone suspects we’re poking around… They will protect themselves again.”

I sighed. “You’re right. Do you know anyone who can help?”

He grimaced. “That’s the problem. All the detectives, technicians, and IT experts I know are on my dad’s payroll. I’m not sure they would be discreet.”

The bell rang. “We’re going to be late for homeroom,” I offered when Antoine remained seated.

He shook his head. “No, I’ve got it covered with the admin. You and I have French tutoring once every two weeks to keep you posted.”

“Oh,” I sat back down. These guys could really do whatever the hell they wanted here. “So, your dad…” He has nothing to do with this, I reminded myself. Taylor had told me Antoine had moved here the summer before he’d entered high school. “Do you think he will talk?”

Antoine cocked his head to the side with uncertainty. “My father is very business-driven. He moved us here to be closer to his business associates. He has no loyalty other than money and his family. So no, I don't think we can trust him if it might cost him a deal.”

“I see…” I trailed off, looking down at the French book and the text I couldn’t understand. “Meaning, if my father ended up in jail…” I added as a subtext.

He nodded. “I’ve ensured Taylor’s protection for as long as we are together.”

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