Accidental Knight: A Marriage Mistake Romance(82)

“I agreed to marry Bella because it means anything she owns goes to me, upon her death.”

“Her death!” Dad exclaims, pushing his legs against the floor. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“If I wasn’t married to Drake, it would go to you and Mom,” I say, and then flinch, knowing how awful it sounds.

Dad’s face turns pale. “You thought we’d kill you? Over—”

“No,” I say. “I didn’t. I don’t.”

“Then why’d you agree to marry a total stranger?” Dad asks angrily.

My shoulders slump. I hadn’t agreed. I’d been tricked, but I can’t tell him that part.

“She didn’t know about the will.” Drake stands up and walks toward the fireplace. He leans one hand on the wooden mantle attached to the rock chimney. “She doesn’t know the danger she’s in, either. And neither do you.”

“Danger from what? Who? If there’s something going on, why can’t we just go to the police and –”

“No. Not that easy,” Drake says, his voice a low growl.

“I don’t understand. What are you getting at?” I’m glad Dad asked the question because I can barely swallow.

“Jupiter Oil has drill sites across the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana. It’s not the same company it was when you worked there. Not since Avery Briar got his hands on it. Wherever they’ve been over the last ten years, there’s nothing but abuse. Safety issues, brawls, workers stiffed on pay, and...a trail of missing, dead women.” He doesn’t look at me, just my father. “Especially wherever Avery Briar goes with his demon son.”

Dad’s jaw quivers. He glances at me and then back at Drake. “Avery has a son?”

Drake nods. “They’re both bad news. They’ll do anything to get ahead and satisfy their appetites.”

Appetites. That’s what he calls it. A dark, evil word that hollows me out.

“I don’t know,” Dad says, rubbing his chin again. “You’re sure about all this?”

I’m holding my breath, waiting to hear more, and not about the son.

Did Gramps make us get married to save me from Avery Briar? Did he think Avery would have me offed so my parents would inherit everything and sell it to him?

It made sense. Drake told me about the missing girls everywhere in Jupiter’s wake. Ice runs down my spine.

I look at Drake. An amazing warmth fills me at the danger he’s willing to face down for me.

He’s truly incredible. More than just a shield. More like a knight in shining armor.

Slowly, Drake nods. “Sure as shootin’. I’ve done my homework ten times over.”

Dad stands, sighing as he folds his hands behind his back. “Well, even if Dad left North Earhart to us, I’d never let Molly sell to Jupiter Oil. Their reputation precedes them. They were always disorganized. Briar taking over was supposed to fix that when he came up from Texas to buy them out. He was a slick professional, flush with cash, a long track record of turning other acquisitions around by breaking their backs and piecing them together again. It just made things worse than I could’ve imagined.”

I stand up, too, but have to ask, “Then why did you bring him out here with papers for me to sign? Why let Avery Briar get anywhere near us?”

“Because he approached us, Annabelle. I wanted you to have a choice.” Dad crosses the space between us and takes my hands, squeezing with a heart-stinging fierceness. “Believe me when I say, if you’d shown an interest, I’d have pointed you in a different direction. We’d have looked at a far more reputable company, or offered to help you run Earhart. I’m sorry it has to be this way. I should’ve stepped in sooner, or used a different approach, but your mother was convinced you’d listen to her.” He smiles sadly. “You usually do. This time, I’m glad you didn’t.”

Truly, I hadn’t this time because of Drake, but Dad’s apology is so sincere. There’s still unfinished business with Mom – even if I get why she acts out sometimes far more than I ever did, I can’t keep letting her treat me so horribly. But talking to Dad like this gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, someday I’ll be able to have a real conversation with her that could change everything.

I don’t say that, though. This is about him and me today.

I’ve always known that he loved me, but the way he’s proven it today means more than he’ll ever know. My throat threatens to close up, so I just lean in and whisper, “I love you, Daddy. Thanks.”

“I love you, too, baby girl.” He pulls me close and hugs me. “Only wish I’d told you more often.” Releasing me, he cups my face with both hands. “Your mother loves you, too. She never had anyone show her how to love, so it still scares her. If you knew how badly she missed you every summer, every spring and winter break, while you were here with your grandfather, you might find that easier to believe.”

“I do believe you, Dad.” I have to blink away tears. “I understand so much more now. About everything.” I kiss his cheek.

He nods and steps back, giving my cheek a little pinch before turning to Drake.

“Walk me out, Mr. Larkin. The mailman was dropping off your mail when I pulled in, so I grabbed it for you.”