Page 76 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“Well, good thing I don’t need your permission to give it.” She gives me a fake bright smile.

“Listen, Carter. It’s not her fault. Her family is fucked up. There’s a really toxic brew of power, money and megalomania that runs deep in their traditions. That’s why there are so few of them. They either leave or die. And this generation is no different. Her mother left when she was seven. Her brother Phil, when she was fifteen. And now James is dead. And all she’s got left is her dad and that grandmother of hers…and her sister, Cameron.”

“Yeah, I get how alone she is.” It’s one of the things that’s kept me up at night this week. That’s made me come close to going to her.

“It’s not a life most people could comprehend. I know your family is famous, but hers isreallyrich and pretty powerful.”

“Look, I get that. But, what’s that got to do with--”

“In their world, the most valuable member of a family is a beautiful young, fertile, wealthy woman. It’s what makes ordinary men look like they have something special about them. It’s the first thing average men buy when they have money – a trophy. So, to a man like Drew Wolfe, an ugly daughter is the most useless creature on the planet.”

I lean across the table, incredulous.

“What the fuck are you saying? Beth isn’t ugly.”

She puts her palm up to stop my advance. “Woah…Iknowthat. But herfatheris a shallow man. He took one look at that birthmark and dismissed her as useless. Before her brother died, she was going to inherit a couple million dollars. Enough for anyone to live on and not be a burden to her family. But James’ death means that she’s the sole heir to her grandfather’s fortune. It’s alotof money. When she gets married, it willallbe hers. And Duke’s.”

Puzzle pieces start to shift and fall into place.

Dina reaches across the table and takes my hand. “She totally loves you.. But now, everything is different.”

“Tell me about it,” I grumble.

The missed message request keeps me awake at night still. How would things be different if I’d seen it when she sent it?

She narrows her eyes. “If you want her, you’re going to have to fight for her. Duke isn’t going to let her go. And…compared to him, you’re just a kid.”

My back stiffens and I stand a little straighter now. “I’mnota fucking kid. And neither is she. Sure, her dad is powerful. But this is America.”

“This is Winsome. Wolfe owns it. All of it. Including the people. They work for him, live in homes he owns, owe money to banks he underwrites. He’s turned his money into a weapon. He’s used it to buy influence and power. But Liz is sitting on a golden egg. There’s more, but she’ll have to tell you.”

“She’s not interested in moving on from him. She made a choice and she’s sticking with it. That’s it.”

“She wants you.” She pushes back.

“Did she tell you that?” I challenge.

“I haven’t talked to her about it.”

“So how do you know?”

She groans in exasperation.

“How do you not? This would all be a lot easier if the two of you weren’t both the sensitive artist type. Justaskher. Or better yet, open your damn eyes andlook. Whatever you do, don’t leave here without making sure she knows how you feel. If you don’t, it’ll break her heart and Duke will be waiting to pick up the pieces. I don’t want what happened to your mother to happen to anyone else.”

Her curveball of a subject change hits me square between the eyes.

“What do you mean?”

She squares her shoulders a little and her chin comes up as she takes a defensive posture. “Imean, when people are cornered they will do things that they wouldn’t ordinarily.”

“What you think Beth is going to…” In the heat of the argument that ensued afterwards, I’d forgotten Beth’s comments about Susan Kendicott. Until now. She said the very same thing.

“No, but no one would have believed it of Susan Kendicott. And honestly. I’m not sure that I do anymore. There was no evidence that she pulled the trigger. No evidence that she set that fire. Only her saying she did.”

“What other evidence do they need but that?” I’m incredulous at the train of her logic.

“That’s exactly what I thought, too. Her confession was clear eyed and given in open court in front of dozens of witnesses. But now…”

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