Page 101 of Royal Havoc

“When I dropped Amethyst off at The Row, I found Hazel. She worked there and told me how to find Hannah.”

“That’s wild luck.”

He stares at me for a moment through his lashes. “When I finally tracked her down, she was married with a daughter. Happy. She warned me about Hazel’s hate for me and to get Amethyst away from her.”

“Shit,” I breathe, throwing back the shot I poured.

“Opal accused me of cheating, and Rowland struck deals and blackmailed to get the votes to allow Opal to leave town. She took you to punish me.”

“She hated me,” I admit for the first time out loud.

His hand covers mine. “I went to get Amethyst away from Hazel. I was going to give her to Opal and take you.” He takes the shot, slamming the glass on the table. “Bolton, Rowland’s brother, showed me her counseling tapes. The awful things she threatened to do to you if she was ever released. I refused to ever let her out.”

“Seriously? She hated me that much?”

“I had enforced that Opal was never allowed to visit or speak to her. I was pissed, when Rowland asked me to consent to give her up for adoption to his brother. I said yes, out of rage. I was stupid.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I no longer had any rights. Opal agreed to give all her money to Rowland if he’d let her visit her. Money-hungry prick.”

“But, she signed it all to me,” I question, staring at his sad face.

His hand cups my cheek. “That’s when I was blackmailed into never seeing you.”

“What? How?”

“I had to go with Opal one last time to see her. To make sure the paperwork was finalized. Which I found out later she never signed. The day we went, Amethyst broke a little girl's nose and wrote a message in her blood. Mentally she was gone, and she hated us. Bolton had already brainwashed her. It was too late.”

“But, I still don’t understand about the money?”

“Nolan was a lawyer, he helped Opal. Amethyst was released from The Row when she turned nineteen. Two weeks later, Rowland was killed in a house fire. Rowland had you followed everywhere, to ensure his investment was safe. When he died, the stalking stopped. But, you were already too traumatized by it.”

“Rowland had me followed? She knew?”

He nods sadly. “Opal got scared once Rowland was killed. She got paranoid because she knew it was Amethyst.”

“Did she kill Mom?” I ask when the thought occurs to me.

“I believe she thought she was killing you. The money was Rowland’s but went to you if he died. If something happened to you, the money went to her. I think she thought she was killing you that night in the accident.”

I gasp, all thoughts and words leaving me. “She thought she was killing me. That makes sense.”

“I was the one that had the stipulation about living with a parent put into the contract. I wouldn’t sign unless it was in there because I knew you would come to me if she hurt Opal, and I would be able to protect you,” he explains, watching me as I process what he’s said. “You’re here now. Vex and I will keep you safe,” he assures me as he stands. “I’m sorry everything was horrible growing up. I wrote letters and sent cards. She told me you got them and still didn’t want to see me. I thought I was doing the right thing, to keep you safe,” he tells me sadly, tucking some hair behind my ear.

“Thank you for saving me tonight.” I stand, hugging my Dad for the first time in years.

“Last thing, Lisa is Hannah’s daughter. Hannah and her husband were killed. When I heard about their accident, I felt responsible for some reason, so I took her in and gave her a job. Lisa’s still dealing with it. It took me a while to put it together,but I believe it was Amethyst getting her revenge for Hazel. Please tell me you understand.”

I nod. “We’ll talk more soon,” I tell him when I see Vex walking up the driveway.

fifty-three

Kickin’ The Junk

Onyx: 2024

Multitasking is a work of art. Focusing on details you never expected to be given. Spinning them around until they fall into place, creating a version of a life you’ve felt unworthy of. While you track a person, you shut out of your world. Dissecting facts that were thrown in your face. Trying to unsee the version they spark so you don’t scratch your own eyes out.