Page 55 of Watch Me Burn

Ethan shrugged. “Hidden account? Saving it for a rainy day? Who knows? All I know is, we haven’t seen any of it. And that’s for the best.”

I parted my lips in shock. “One of the girls could’ve gone rogue . . . gone to that length to reverse the stakes.”

“Maybe, but for some reason, I don’t see any of them killing your dad in broad daylight.”

I shook my head sadly. “Even if, I couldn’t even blame the girl who did this to him.”

Ethan glanced at my bathroom ceiling thoughtfully. “Life is fucked up, Anna. But there are a few people who’d want to change that for them, though. We’re both on the same page that these are vulnerable victims. It’s fucking tough, but I’d think at least one of them would slip the truth to their family members or a boyfriend.”

“You mean . . . one of their family members could’ve killed my dad? Lisa said her dad didn’t believe her.” My voice wavered as I posed my question. The repulsion of my father’s actions was simply too great to face.

“He told her that, sure. But maybe it was a cover so he could go after John Hudson without drawing suspicion. Think about it. If the police ever got wind of Lisa’s story and decided to question her, it’d look a lot better if she said her dad didn’t believe her rather than mentioning he was in a fit of rage against John. I heard her dad was really successful, probably a sharp thinker.”

I stared blankly at the opposite wall. Because of my dad’s actions, someone’s dad, mom, boyfriend, or sibling could’ve gone crazy and put themselves at risk of ending up in jail. If we were to discover the true culprit, would they be locked up in Ethan’s place?

Ethan pulled me closer, wrapping me in a warm hug so I could snuggle into his chest. I remained still at first, utterly frozen by everything I’d witnessed in the past few weeks—especially days. But then Ethan began patting my back, telling me in the gentlest voice that everything would be okay and that we needed to push forward for the sake of closure.

I smeared his shirt with a gush of tears as I wept harder than I’d ever done in my life. I shook violently and wrenched my body in painful ways. My heart was twisted into an awful pile of ashes. Ethan tried to soothe me with his kisses and whispers, but nothing could hide the falter in his assurances. Like me, Ethan had been taken aback by the footage that portrayed my father as this nasty, disgusting villain who shouldn’t have been able to walk within several feet of any girl.

“Anna, I swear on my life that I’ll do everything I need to do to protect you. So don’t think you’re in this alone. Let it all out, and I promise with time it will get better.”

I bobbed my head feebly, accepting the passionate kiss he planted on my lips. That evening, I allowed myself to be lost in the emotions of our shattered hearts. Years ago, I watched his world burn to ashes. Now, it seemed it was my turn. But love intervened, dousing the flames and saving the remnants of the person beneath.

“I love you,” I mumbled into his muscular, broad chest.

“I love you too.”

Chapter 26

Anna

I parked my car down the hill of a big, gorgeous brick mansion that was located in one of the wealthiest areas of Boston: Beacon Hill.

“This is where Lisa Coffman’s dad lives?” I remarked in awe. A gardener milled about the property, pruning the pathways and grass.

“I didn’t know Lisa’s dad was that rich,” Ethan gasped. Out of the rear-view mirror, I spotted a sleek Porsche swerving up to the driveway and parked the car. Some static could be heard before a suited man exited his vehicle and walked up to my driver’s window.

“Are you a guest of Sir Coffman?” What looked to be some type of driver knocked on our car window. Judging by his curled lips, he wouldn’t believe it for a second if we said we were here to meet Lisa’s father on serious business. Maybe we should’ve slipped into some aprons and loafers to disguise ourselves as one of the maids.

Shit.

The suited man spoke sharply. “Well, I’ll have to ask that you leave.”

I cleared my throat and put on my poker face. “We’re here to talk to Mr. Coffman. I’m his daughter’s high school friend. Tell him I need to talk to him and him alone.”

“His daughter? You two are friends of hers?”

Ethan and I shared a wary look. With Lisa living in such a remote place, was it possible she and her family had a falling out? Especially given the condition of her house and . . . this one. Lisa might not even be on board with our visit, but after seeing the mess Ethan’s life had become, he deserved a shot at redemption. I was here to help him clear his name, and honestly, I’d knock on the devil’s own door if that’s what it took.

“As I said, these are private matters that will be discussed with Mr. Coffman and him alone,” I said in my snappy lawyer tone.

The suited man looked at me, then nodded. “Yes, of course. Please follow me.”

I looked to Ethan for assurance. He squeezed my hand, smiling as widely as he could.

The suited man waved us past the gates that guarded the elegant mansion.

We walked past a spacious living room that was warmed by a fireplace and into a fancy office that reminded me of a small library in a castle. Seated behind a grand mahogany desk, Mr. Coffman exuded an aura of importance. His silver hair and the deep-set wrinkles on his face told tales of age and wisdom. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, he glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. Surrounding him were towering bookshelves, filled with leather-bound volumes.

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