Page 113 of It's a Wonderful Knife
“Yeah, something broke off,” Royce said.
“Gosh, where was it I saw that?” Hermina tapped her chin.
Elle made no move to come over. She sat beside Chloe, her face pale and tense. Chloe had her head down, but she’d stopped crying now.
One by one, most of the people in the room slowly came over and stared at the silver ball to see if they could place it. Elle continued to sit where she was, staring at Royce.
Obviously, Royce noticed that Elle was acting oddly. He gave her plenty of time to come over, but when she didn’t, he approached her. He knelt down in front of Elle, and in a gentle voice, he asked, “Elle, do you recognize this?”
Elle shook her head, but a tear slipped down her rosy cheek.
“Oh, Mama,” Chloe said, tears rolling down her face again. “I’m sorry.”
“Be quiet,” Elle said gruffly. “Just be quiet, Chloe.”
“Leave her alone,” Jax said harshly. “I told you,Ikilled those men. It was me. Leave her the hell alone, Sheriff.”
“I can’t do that,” Royce said quietly.
Chloe wiped roughly at her eyes and let out a little whimper. “It’s mine, okay? It’s frommynecklace. Daddy gave it to me.”
“Be quiet,” Elle practically screamed. “Just shut up, Chloe.”
“No, Mama. I… I can’t let Jax or anyone take the blame for something I did.”
Elle covered her face, and her shoulders shook with sobs. “Why?Why, Chloe?”
“Don’t cry,” Chloe whimpered.
Royce stood, looking down at them. “Why would part of your necklace be in Richard’s hand, Chloe?”
“Because I killed him,” she whispered.
There was a stunned silence.
Royce asked softly, “Why?”
“He wasn’t a good man.” She looked up at Royce. “I know that’s no excuse, but he really was a terrible person.”
“You killed Santiago too?” Royce asked.
Chloe hesitated but then nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?” Royce narrowed his eyes.
“I was protecting Jax.” Her voice wobbled. “I’m in love with Jax.”
Jax made a strangled sound. “Now, Chloe, I… I told you that’s not true.” He turned to the room at large. “She doesn’t even know what love is. She’s just got a crush, that’s all.”
“A crush you encouraged,” Elle hissed.
Jax shook his head. “No, Elle. I’m serious. Even that time in the kitchen, she kissedme. I made a mistake, and I let it go too far that night, but I never let anything else happen again. I swear, Elle, I was a perfect gentleman with her.”
I had trouble believing the “gentleman” thing. But I didn’t doubt Chloe was infatuated with Jax. He was handsome, and he came off smooth. Worldly. Probably to an eighteen-year-old girl who’d led a fairly sheltered life, he seemed exciting.
“It’s not a crush,” Chloe said. “I killed for you, Jax. How can you say it’s just a crush?”
Jax held out his hands. “Just stoptalking, Chloe.” He turned to Royce. “I’ve already confessed. Shouldn’t that trump her statement?”
