Page 97 of Against the Autumn Pines
Growing up, she was never short with me when my brothers were around. Only when they were busy or outside, or in their rooms. Never in front of the rest of our family though.
“He let my bakery get burned down with Wyatt and me inside of it.” I didn’t yell or throw anything like I’d planned to in my mind. In fact, my voice was very level and even-keeled. Some would even say emotionless felt like a good descriptive word for how my tone sounded.
The table went silent, and everyone except Wyatt stared at me, mouths agape.
“What do you mean, he let your bakery get burned down, Ember? That is a serious allegation, even for an absent father like my husband.”
I scoffed and shook my head, my head dropping back as I stared up at the dining room light. I breathed through the tears that threatened to spill over my lashes. I wouldn’t fucking cry here—not now, not ever.
“Bennett has involved himself with a less-than-savory crowd. A group of men who work out of Sapphire Cove. One of them approached Ember a week or so ago, telling her they were looking for her father, and that if he didn’t get in touch with him soon, they’d be back for her instead. She tried to get a hold of him, as you know, but couldn’t. They came back, broke in, and set the entire downstairs aflame.We had to climb out the fire escape to get out of the building safely,” Wyatt explained.
My mother said nothing, but Evan appeared to still be wrapping his head around what was happening.
“You knew she needed to get a hold of Dad, and you didn’t help her?” Evan asked. When he received no response, his wide eyes turned back to me. “Why didn’t you ask me?”
“I didn’t want you involved if you didn’t have to be,” I whispered.
Evan shook his head in clear disbelief. “Wait, what men?”
I could see Wyatt’s mind spinning, weighing the options of fully explaining what we knew, but whatever he saw in Evan’s eyes must’ve appeased him.
“Broderick,” he said plainly.
Evan’s face paled, but before he could speak, the back door opened and a voice filled the house.
“Dad? Ya here? Listen, I’m not sure—” Elliot’s voice dropped off the moment he walked into the dining room and saw us all staring at him. “Oh, hey guys. Forgot you were having dinner tonight.” His eyes turned to Mom, and she shook her head.
“He isn’t home, Elliot. Would you like to have some dinner with us?” Mom asked.
His eyes darted around the table, taking in each of our expressions, until his gaze fell to the open folder with the documents spread across the table.
“Um, I don’t think so, Mom. Not feeling the best. I think I may go lie down for a bit. Try to get a hold of Dad.” Elliot walked out of the room without another word and down the hall.
“He’s living here and has a working number? That must be nice. I thought Evan and he had gotten a place together?”
Evan looked as if he were going to speak, but Mom glaredat him before her gaze returned to me. “I think that’s enough for this evening. I’ll see you in a few days for lunch, Ember.”
I leaned back in the chair, shocked being an understatement. “That’s it? I just told you your husband almost got me killed, and you don’t want to discuss it any further? You’re looking at my brothers as if they need to shut up, and you’re telling me to leave?”
I laughed—I couldn’t stop it if I tried.
“This is all so fucking ridiculous. You’re never going to change. You’ll defend him until your dying breath, even when the proof is sitting in front of your face.” I shook my head, the anger overcoming any sense of tears I may have had prior. “You know, you mentioned you set his mail together for him? That mail? Would’ve been in my name, Mother, not his. You knew he was stealing from me for months, and you said and didnothing.”
I stood from the table as Wyatt gathered the folder together, and I looked over at Evan. “I’m here if you need me, Ev.” My gaze flicked over to my mother before it went back to him. “I’ll see you later.”
With that, I walked out and got into the SUV without a backward glance. My hands were shaking, and I felt as if I was going to be sick, but I’d done it. I’d put the evidence out there; now we just had to wait.
41
A BITTER LAUGH
Ember
It had beentwo days since the nightmare we called dinner, and today we were going to Abby’s house for dinner. Going to the Carragan’s place on Sundays was quickly becoming one of my favorite times of the week, especially now that I wasn’t working.
I’d grown used to waking up at the crack of dawn and not stopping until well into the night. Now all I could do was sit and wait for the investigation and red tape, so to speak, to be cleared to get back into my building. I was essentially an unemployed homeless woman right now, and it wasn’t doing good shit to my ego.
“You look deep in thought over there, little flame,” Wyatt said as he sat down behind me and ran his hands down my arms and then back up along my waist.
