Page 112 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“But why?”
Winter remained silent, staring at his father’s portrait. “It is not for me to say.”
“Oh, that is such a load of baloney. You gather other people’s secrets like some people collect showy art.”
“And you want me to smash those secrets?”
“Yes!” Her eyes lit with an internal light. She called the color brown and claimed they were dull and unremarkable. He disagreed. Her eyes were completely remarkable.
The back of his hand stroked the side of her face. She leaned into the touch. “Chase believes the accident was no accident.”
“There was an investigation. It was declared an accident.”
“Yes, but I do not recall what happened that night. I injured my head. And Rebel and I argued that night. Several people witnessed us. I regret the words I said. Chase will never believe it was an accident.” He did not like that their last words were spoken in anger. “She wanted to stay at the party but a storm was on the way. I did not wish to be trapped in this house with them.”
“No, I can see that.”
“I made her leave with me. I should have left without her. She would still be alive if I had.”
Some days it seemed as if everyone would be happier if he had done just that. Zero would still have his mother. Chase would have his love. Thankful would not have had to clean up the mess Winter made.
Marigold grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. “What did I say? None of that. Guilt is eating you alive. It was an accident. An accident,” she repeated.
“But what if it was not? I cannot remember.”
Marigold shook her head and climbed off his lap. Carefully her bare feet avoided the broken shards of glass and pottery. “Winter Cayne, I can’t with you right now. But why would you? You already told me you were getting a divorce. So why murder your soon-to-be ex-wife? Jealousy?”
“No. Rebel and Chase carried on their affair for years. I never cared enough to be jealous.”
“Money?”
He snorted. “I have more than enough of my own. Rebel had already adjusted her will to leave everything to Zero in a trust.”
“Embarrassment?”
“No. Again, Rebel and Chase carried on for years and had no discretion.”
“To make your Daddy happy?”
He recoiled. “No! Why would that please my father?”
She tossed up her hands. “I don’t know! I’m just listing motives. So far you’ve got no reason to off your wife.”
“Of course I don’t.”
“Then why do you let Chase torture you?”
He sat in silence. Why indeed?
Because he did not know for certain what happened that night and doubt riddled him. He knew his motivation, or lack thereof, but he knew his temperament and Rebel’s foul temper.
“Because Rebel deserved better from me,” he said. His ears went forward in defeat. “Because you deserve better. If you want to leave, I will give you funds. I will not force you to stay.”
He was a defective male. He carried too much baggage, as she called it. The guilt, while illogical, would always be there. He could not help the dark turn his mind made. She would leave with Tomas, as Chase intended when he invited the human male to his farce of a party. They would make handsome human kits. His stomach soured at the thought because he wanted those handsome kits to be his.
Marigold kneeled before him, her hands on his knees. “I suppose in your head, I’ve already packed it in and left with Tomas?”
His ears twitched. Yes, that was exactly what he envisioned.
