Victor leans close. “You can do this, treasure.” His voice is soothing and calms my racing heart. “But I’m right here to step in if you need me.” I nod once and take a calming breath.
“Donovan is my stepfather,” I say, scowling at the thought that I have to claim him at all. “He killed my mother.” Might as well get it all out there because I don’t know how long I’m going to last. Bec sits forward and places her hand on my forearm. But other than that, I don’t look at anyone else. I can’t.
“Oh, my god. Liv, I’m so sorry!” Ansley exclaims.
The calm I experienced for that brief moment leaves just like that and my muscles tense up. I start thrumming my fingers on the table and look at Victor, shaking my head. My eyes burn and my face heats up. He takes my hand in his to stop my nervous thrumming, flips my hand, and rubs his thumb along the lines of my palm. My muscles relax slightly and I focus on the relief he brings my frayed nerves.
“I know you think Donovan was my best friend, but he wasn’t,” he says to Connor. “I was best friends with Olivia’s real dad. When he died, I checked in on Margaret, Olivia’s mother, as often as possible.” Victor takes a sip from his drink and I think back to those days before my mom died. I miss her so much.
“Margaret started dating Donovan, and she seemed truly happy. I was building my business and had met someone myself. So, I stepped back, thinking Donovan would take on the role I had been playing. I knew he wouldn’t replace Olivia’s father, but I thought he would treat her and Margaret well.”
What is everyone thinking about this story? I can’t bring myself to look up from the table, not wanting to see the looks on their faces. Someone sniffs, probably Caroline, but I still refuse to look up.
“I couldn’t have been more wrong. I got married and checked in every month or so, then Margaret died in a car accident. My ex-wife and I were going through a rough patch when it happened. So, I started spending more time with Donovan and would check on Olivia. Everything he showed me was an act.”
By more time, he means we would go to lunch once a month in this town. I swallow.
I’m so stupid. What was I thinking moving to one of the towns he was using for his illegal activities? Of course he was going to find me.
“Look, you don’t have to tell us any more,” Connor interrupts him.
I shake myself out of my daze and look at Bec. “I know what Donovan was doing around this town. He didn’t hide it from me.” Inhaling deeply, trying to get rid of the tension in my chest, but it doesn’t work. “I overheard him one night. He had plans for someone in town that was causing him problems.”
That night plays on repeat in my mind. I knew I had to get out of that house no matter what. Trying to conceal a shudder, as the memories assault me, I remind myself there wasn’t another choice. Bec’s hand covers her mouth and Bass runs a hand through his hair. He and Connor share a look.
Lincoln leans forward. “Who?”
“That would be me,” Connor says. Lincoln leans back, pulling Ansley with him. She must have climbed into his lap at some point. It’s like he’s trying to connect pieces.
“I’ve lived in this town my whole life. How did I not know this was going on?” he asks.
“You lived in the rich neighborhood,” I tell him. “A lot of the people in that neighborhood were accomplices of Donovan, or willingly ignorant. But I think you were away at college during the worst part of Donovan’s reign.”
“Do you think our parents knew?” Ansley and Lincoln share a look as her face pales.
Lincoln scoffs. “I honestly wouldn’t put it past them.” I keep my thoughts to myself, but more than likely, they did.
Victor leans forward. “Why do you say that?”
Lincoln looks at Ansley like he’s asking for permission for something, and she gestures for him to go ahead. “Ans and I grew up next to each other. My dad and her dad were lawyers. My dad was determined I was going to be a lawyer, but I refused. He treated me terribly my whole childhood, and there was noway I was taking over the practice.” Lincoln inhales deeply, and Ansley places her hand over his.
“Dylan, Ansley’s brother, was also being groomed to be a lawyer too. He probably would have gone through with it, but they all went on a retreat. On their way home from the airport, they got into a car accident and died on impact,” Lincoln says. Becca and Bailey put their hands over their mouth, but Caroline and I know this. This time, though, I listen in a different light.What if their parents were involved somehow and wanted to get out or something?
Caroline shifts, grimacing and grabbing her stomach, breaking me from that train of thought. Bass comforts her, and she tries to settle into his side as she winces. I study her.Is she that uncomfortable?
“Our parents were not good people, so we did not shed any tears over their deaths. That’s why we wouldn’t be surprised if they knew about Donovan and didn’t do anything about it.” Ansley comes across as nonchalant, but even in their death, her parents hurt her. In their will, they left her nothing and gave everything to Dylan.
Bec leans forward and glances around the table. “Don’t you think it’s odd that Liv’s mom died in a car accident, and your parents did too?”
Julian has been extremely quiet this entire time shifts and shares a look with Victor. I’m not sure if anyone else notices.
“My mom’s brake lines were cut. She ran into a tree,” I say.
“An eighteen-wheeler sideswiped our parents, and they went into oncoming traffic, causing them to flip,” Ansley explains.
I glance up at Victor as he runs his hand over his beard. “When did that happen?”
“A little over seven years ago now,” Lincoln replies.
