“And this will vanish just like that.” He snaps his fingers.
“You think my wife will leave me because you’re a gambler? I didn’t turn you into that, Sheriff. That’s all you.”
“You didn’t, but you exploited it. You set a trap for her father. And I didn’t say she would leave you. I’m sure she wouldn’t. She chose you, and she’s gonna double down on that. Besides, she loves you.”
“Gets stuck in your throat, doesn’t it?”
“It does, but listen closely, you fucking piece of human garbage. I said I could take away that look.” He inches closer. “Trust me. There is nothing worse than living in the same house with a woman who used to adore you but will no longer look at you. She might stay, but the trust will be gone. She’ll wonder what else you’ve done to her family, and what else you’re keeping from her. It will forever fracture this foundation you’ve built.”
“And what about your marriage? She almost divorced you before. What makes you think she won’t this time? You could have made her homeless.” I stand as tall as possible, but his words hit a nerve. He’s right. Eden won’t leave. Because she loves me and because I would fight like hell to keep her, but it would cause irreparable damage.
“She won’t leave either. She might kick me out of the bedroom. She’ll be angry, but she’ll work it out with me just like she did before.” If only the bastard knew why she was so eager to work it out with him before. “Besides, we both have to be there for Sylvie and our grandkids. Serena isn’t going anywhere.”
“And you’re prepared to hurt Eden to spite me? It might take her some time, but she’ll see you as the man who intentionally tried to damage her marriage. And what if I deny the entire thing?” I won’t. I can’t. There’s a video that I stupidly sent toRose a few months back, intended to pressure him to rein in his wife. If this comes out, it’s out, and my marriage would take a blow. Worse than that, my wife would be hurt, and I can’t have that. “I’ll put a bullet in you before you hurt my wife. You can take your little secret with you to the grave.”
“You’re not going to kill Eden’s father, and you know it. Take your threats and shove them, King. They don’t work anymore. Your days of blackmailing me are over.”
“We have the town. We don’t need you. You’re irrelevant and have been for a long time now, but I have to ask this again, Sheriff. Are you willing to hurt your daughter just to get back at me?”
“I’m not,” he quickly answers.
I don’t show it, but I’m relieved.
“I love Dandy way more than I hate you, and trust me, I hate you a lot.”
“Ditto.”
“I guess we’re both going to be fucking miserable in this arrangement, not just me. Checkmate, motherfucker.”
Chapter 72
Eden
“Dandy, I changed my mind. I will take a drink,” Dad says.
“I’ll take another one, too, honey.”
Mom raises her empty glass, and I take it. She sets the table for me while I mix drinks, and Rip puts the food in serving platters. He’s been quiet since he was outside with my father.
“So,” Mom says once we’re all seated at the kitchen table, “what about Thanksgiving? It’s in two weeks. We want to make it special for the kids, so we’re hosting this year. I want you two there.”
She looks from me to Ripley, who stops chewing at the dinner invitation. I know he’d rather eat glass than go to my family’s house. He told me last week that he’s never celebrated the holidays, so they aren’t important to him. He’s only going to start celebrating them now because of me.
“Um, Rip and I are cooking. Selene and Cori are going to stop by after they have dinner with their family. Selene’s bringing her new boyfriend so we can meet him.”
“Say what, now?” Rip asks. “Who is this person coming to our house?”
“He’s a dentist she met at a wedding.”
My husband snorts. “Is he an orthodontist?”
I giggle at the memory of our conversation.
“I’ll need his name first. He sounds boring, though.” He winks at me.
“Your friends can come to our house,” Dad offers. “We want you there.”
“No. I don’t want Ripley to be uncomfortable, and I don’t want to be around Sylvie. It’s going to be awkward, and all I want is to have a nice first holiday with my husband.”
