Page 69 of Beneath the Scars
“Sounds like this one.” Dad pulls one of my braids. “She loved showing off during the ultrasounds.”
I blush at the attention. Michael is smirking at me, his eyebrow raised as if he’s saying, “See? I’m not the only onewho thinks you’re trouble.” He frowns as he pulls his cell from his pocket. He walks across the store to lean against the windows as he talks on the phone.
I can’t keep my eyes off him. His tall frame looks like a shadow against the bright sun. The darkness that used to surround him like a shield has faded in the week since he told me he loved me. I’d been prepared to never hear him say it out loud. I knew he loved me. Every action he took proved how he felt.
But I can’t deny that hearing those words did something to me.
It’s as if our relationship has healed something in Michael. I’d have taken him exactly as he was when we first discussed being together. I loved every piece of his dark soul. I didn’t need him to be anything other than who he is, but this version of him, the one who’s settled into his belief that he’s worthy of love? It’s heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
His smiles are real. The laughter that had to be dragged out of him before now bubbles to the surface as easily as the pop of a champagne cork. I would never have believed I could love him any more than I already did, but somehow, he’s proven me wrong.
Michael straightens, his relaxed pose becoming rigid in a fraction of a second. The stricken look he sends my way has the blood draining from my face.
What’s happened?
Then he’s turning toward Zane as he hangs up the phone.
My gaze bounces between Michael and Zane. Energy vibrates between the two men, something dark and scary that makes my heart pound.
“Zane.” Michael’s voice is hard, his features carefully blank. “I need you to come with me.”
Zane swallows, his body sagging in defeat. He nods his head as if he knows exactly what’s happening.
“Wait…” I step forward. “What’s happening? What’s going on?”
Dad steps up next to me, trying to get a read on the situation before asking questions.
“It’s okay, Ads,” Zane says, sadness lining his face. “I need to go with Michael for a bit. I’ll call you later.”
“But—”
Dad interrupts me with a hand on my shoulder. I hadn’t even realized I was moving. “Let them go. We’ll find out what’s happening when we can.”
Michael gives me a stern look, a silent demand for me to stay where I am.
And then they’re gone, the happy chime over the door a jarring tone compared to the icy atmosphere left in their wake.
Chapter 38
Michael
I’m seething.
This motherfucker’s been lying to us all, but more importantly, he’s been lying to Adalaide. What’s his angle? Why did he do it? How long has this con been going on?
My grip on the steering wheel is so tight my knuckles are white.
Zane hasn’t said a word since we left the flower shop.
The fact that he folded the second I looked at him told me everything I needed to know. I probably should’ve had Dad come back me up, but after everything I’ve learned about Zane, I didn’t think he was physically dangerous.
I fucking hope I’m not wrong.
He’s not technically under arrest. Despite trespassing, neither of the farmers who found his camps wants to press charges, but there’s no way in hell we’re going to let him stay around our family without an explanation.
Uncle Cooper was the one who called me. He said the results came in on Friday afternoon, but we’d all left a little early to celebrate the end of the tourist season, so none of us had seen the email.
He’d asked how I wanted to play this, and I decided a nonconfrontational approach was the best option. I needed to spare Addie the hurt that seeing one of her best friends in handcuffs would’ve brought.
