Bad Boy Brody(75)

He produced a folder of papers and tossed it on the desk in front of me.

He pointed at them, walking toward the windows, but he only turned his back to the window. He faced us. “Those were the papers I was going to ask you to sign, Morgan.”

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed them, and then thrust my arm toward Finn. “Lighter.”

He handed it over, glaring at Matthew the whole time.

I had the papers on fire within a few seconds, and I walked around the desk, taking them into the bathroom. I held the file as long as I could before letting them fall into the toilet. The fire was immediately snuffed out. A column of white smoke filled the room, and I went back to the office.

The smoke was drifting in there as well.

I met Matthew’s gaze. “You have my answer.”

He was watching me, and I swore I saw a fleeting grin tug at the corner of his mouth. He nodded before asking, “Did you have fun hanging out in the barn earlier?”

“You knew?”

He gestured to Finn. “When your boy toy had Finn take all the cameras down, they missed some. I still have two up, the entrance and exit of the barn.”

“But—” My mind was racing.

Abby and Finn didn’t know what else was said at that meeting. They didn’t know most of it.

Matthew sighed, pointing to the bathroom. “I never snuck in an extra piece of paper where you would’ve signed your rights away to the land. He thinks I did because that is what he wants.” He gestured to the bathroom. “You just set fire to the movie crew’s amended contract for when they come back to finish filming the movie.”

“Oh.” Abby cocked her head to the side. “Didn’t see that coming.”

Finn winced. “What are you saying?”

“Dad thinks the movie’s a ploy, a way to showcase our land to a very select clientele that would want to buy it. He doesn’t want any general buyer. He wants the best buyer he can get.” Matthew looked at me. “I found a recording at the main office in New York.” His eyes grew hooded, but I caught a flash of sympathy. “I know what he did.” So did I. “I know what happened that day.”

I looked down.

No one knew.

Matthew continued, “He doesn’t know I know about the recording, but then he started pitching plans on how to sell the land to the best buyer.” His voice broke into a whisper, “I couldn’t let him hurt you again.”

“Say what?”

I looked up. Finn was skirting between Matthew and me, his eyebrows arched high. “What is going on here? I’m not following any of this.”

Matthew paid him no attention. “The movie idea was mine. I told him it’d get the land publicity that we couldn’t buy, and that we could trick you into signing papers that you’d never question. I told him I could get you to sign your home away.” His voice grew thick again. “I’m sorry, Morgan. For everything.” He reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a small device. He tossed it onto the desk.

Finn gripped the back of his neck. “What the hell is that?”

“A listening device.” Matthew regarded his brother for the first time. “I’ve been working with the FBI to help build a case against our father.”

Abby could only gape at the device. “I’m not understanding any of this. Matt.” Her bottom lip started trembling. “What is going on?”

I stood. It was my turn. “Your father sent my father here.” And I waited.

Silence.

No one moved. No one made a sound.

And then, “What?” from Abby.

“Hide, Morgan. Hide.”

I stood taller. “She died because of me. Your father wanted me gone.”

I ran toward the barn.

Run.

Hide.

I was doing both.

I could feel my own tears falling. I was so scared, but I did what she said.

Under the fence.

I kept going.

Down the hill, through the fields.

“Morgan!”

“I was in the house when he came.” I couldn’t tell them how I thought it’d been them at first, how happy I had been. “She knew it was my father. He was pounding at the door, and she told me we were going to play a game.”

“Oh my God.” Abby stumbled backward, but Finn caught her. He turned her into his chest, his arm coming around her.

I could hear her crying, and a part of me was thankful. I should be the one crying, but I couldn’t. I turned off like I always did. There were no tears, not from me anyway.

Our house was high on the mountain. I was over the first slope in the hill. But—no. I got back up and looked behind me.

He could follow my footsteps.

Mama . . .

I wanted to go back, but she said to hide.

I had to get to Shoal. He wouldn’t be able to find me if I were with her.

I kept going as fast as I could.

Under the next fence, and then I was free into the terrain.

There were woods. The river. I kept going and going. I was getting so cold. She said to hide for days. I’d need Shoal.

“Morgan!”

I couldn’t form words. It took a moment for me to choke out, “I could hear her screaming.” But then he started screaming. “He came after me.”