Page 124 of Burn (Crash & Burn Duet 2)

“You tried to destroyed my career.” Teague threw his hands up. “People have been killed. Pepper and Miss Adeline nearly were.” His voice reached a crescendo that drew the attention of nearby people.

“You’re foolish, bullheaded, and impossible to reason with.” His father rattled off a list of characteristics like he’d thought of them so often they were ingrained in his mind.

What the hell?

“He tried to murder the woman I love,” Teague yelled. I’d never seen him so angry.

His father just glared. Bastard.

Blue lights flashed. Sirens wailed.

A fleet of New York Police Department cars skidded to a stop beside us.

“Yo. He’s right there.” Burke pointed to Koker . . . or whoever he was. “I called them.” He jerked his head toward the police.

“Move your foot, sir.”

As if he didn’t realize he was still standing on the man, he reluctantly lifted it.

“Willa’s going to turn over the evidence they have on him in connection to the other fires. Pepper’s an eyewitness in their fire.” Burke folded his arms.

“Hope it’s enough to put him away for a long time.”

Burke nodded and stalked over to Walsh and Rivera.

“He’ll be released.” Teague’s father spoke quietly but certainly.

“Let me guess. You’ll see to it,” Teague said bitterly.

He didn’t answer.

How could his father ensure that? His power must have no limit even for the law. Not even murder.

“He deserves hellfire and brimstone for what he did.” Teague stared at the squad car until it disappeared.

“We’ve finally found something we agree upon.” He strode toward the river.

“Wait.” I jogged toward him. “Do you know why he killed my parents and aunt?”

Samuel Hollingsworth was the only one who seemed to have any solid leads.Ididn’t have any connections to Koker.

He studied me for a moment. “It’s difficult to know the inner workings of an insane person’s mind, but my assumption is in retaliation for Teague.”

“I didn’t know he was my uncle. Why would he have it out for me?” Teague was at my back, right there to support me.

His father checked his watch. “Money. It’s always about money.”

“You just said Teague makes ameagersalary.” I put the word in air quotes.

He stared at his son. “He has an inheritance. One I can only suppose Morgan feels rightfully belongs to him.”

“Don’t Beau and Lincoln have one too?” I asked. I didn’t know how rich people determined who got what, but what little I knew of Teague’s mother, she wouldn’t give more to one child than another.

“They do.” He put his hand back into his pocket. “Their mother labored over which child would get what assets. She wanted them to be suited to their interests and attributes. When she set up the trusts, the values were equal. She couldn’t have predicted the assets in Teague’s would skyrocket in value.” He looked at Beau and Lincoln. “He’s lucky his siblings aren’t the greedy, jealous type.”

Teague appeared appalled. “I didn’t—I thought we all had the same,” he said apologetically.

“I’ve never touched my trust,” Beau said, lifting one shoulder and lowering it. “And he has more money than all of us put together.” She pointed a thumb at Lincoln.

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