Page 133 of Coff

I blink several times. “Uncle Leo?” I run to the stairs.

“Delaney! Wait!” Logan says, chasing after me.

As I bound down the stairs, the front door opens, and they walk in.

“Uncle Leo?” I ask.

The man grins, and my mom steps up behind him.

Two armed men are instantly on our porch with guns pointed at my mom and uncle.

“It’s okay,” Logan says. “She knows them.”

The men retreat, and Leo closes the door. “Delaney!” my uncle says. “It’s great to see you again! But who were the armed men?”

“They’re here to protect Delaney,” Logan says. Then he holds out his hand. “I’m Logan.”

My uncle shakes his hand. “Leo Manzia.”

“Hello, again, Mrs. Manzia.”

My mom steps in, frowning as she takes in Logan. I spot the moment she recognizes him. “You’re the boy who broke her heart when she was in college.” My mom glances at me. “Why is he here?”

I stare at my uncle in disbelief. “I thought you were dead.”

He laughs. “Dead? Why would you think that?”

“Duke told me our father killed you.”

Leo’s brows shoot up. “Wow. And you believed him?” He pats me on the shoulder, then turns to my mom. “She’s a bit gullible, then?”

My mom doesn’t respond because she’s still focused on Logan. “Delaney, you haven’t answered me. Why is he here?”

I take a deep breath before I dive in. “He’s here to protect me. It’s a long story, but there are some bad people after me.”

My uncle puts his arm around me. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m here then. Obviously, your brother has been doing a piss-poor job of taking care of you. Where is Duke anyway?” he asks, glancing around.

“I don’t know.” That’s partly the truth. If I were to guess, he’s at Sam’s house. “Why are you back?”

“I’m here to reclaim what’s mine. The business, this house, this woman.” He pulls my mom into his arms.

“Reclaim? I don’t understand,” I say.

My mom steps forward and gives me a hug. She smiles, which I can’t say I’ve seen her do in years. “There’s a lot you don’t know about your dad. Let’s have some tea, and I can tell you.”

She loops her arm through mine, leading me into the kitchen. My uncle and Logan follow.

“We really should be leaving,” Logan says.

“Nonsense,” my uncle says. “We need to talk first.”

My mom fills a kettle and puts it on the stove. Leo and Logan sit at the kitchen table. My mom takes a seat, and I stand there, wondering if I’m dreaming. Leo isn’t dead. Why would Duke lie to me?

“Take a seat, honey,” my mom says.

I do. “Why would Duke tell me you’re dead?”

Leo shrugs. “I guess he figured I was never coming back. Hopefully, he’ll understand that I’ll be taking over.”

---