She flung a hand at Bronwyn. “And now, this little strumpet has us all dancing to her tune. We’re going to lose everything.”
“Shut up, Beatrice.” Uncle Ronald stood. “All of you, shut up.” He turned to Bronwyn. “What, exactly, did the attorney tell you?”
Bronwyn struggled to remember what Uncle Ronald was referring to. Oh. Right. “Grandmother made changes to her will.”
Uncle Ronald sat down. Hard.
Uncle William got to his feet. “I move to conclude this meeting and reconvene on Monday.”
Her father stood. “I second the motion.”
Bronwyn lifted her chin. “A motion to end the meeting and reconvene on Monday at one p.m. All in favor?”
Everyone said, “Aye.”
But she still asked, “Anyone opposed?”
No one spoke.
“We’ll reconvene on Monday at one.”
Bronwyn turned and left the room. Mo was right behind her, and when his hand took hers, she laced her fingers through his and held on for dear life.
Thirty-Six
Bronwyn didn’t speak until she and Mo were back in the small conference room. She leaned against the table and dropped her head.
Mo rubbed her back in slow circles. “That was amazing.”
She couldn’t speak.
“Hey.” He pulled her arms from the table and wrapped them around his waist.
She sank into the hug. She needed this moment before she ripped the scab off their oldest and deepest wound.
“What’s going on?” When she didn’t move, his tone changed. “Hey, baby? What’s this? What did I miss?” She tried to pull away, but he didn’t release her. “Talk to me.”
“I...” How could she do this? “Peter Brown and ... the senator ... I remember.”
“Tell me when you’re ready.”
She didn’t think she’d ever be ready. But once she started, the words tumbled out. “The senator’s brother. I didn’t know Corbin was the senator’s brother.”
“He can’t hurt you anymore, Bronwyn. He’s been dead for close to a decade.”
“I know. But I didn’t know he was the senator’s brother. PeterBrown. I knew I’d seen him before. He was younger, had different hair, and he was with the senator when he stayed here. He has to know, Mo. He knows about ... everything.”
She expected him to go quiet. Or to get angry.
“I gathered the lot of them knows more than they ever let on, the morons. It’s a good thing you have a real family now. You won’t ever be hung out to dry again.”
She sagged against him. “I know you don’t want to talk about...”
“I will never be able to think about that whole situation without having to fight down my rage. But don’t ever, not for a second, think that even a drop of anger is directed at you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Trust me.”
Bronwyn took a deep breath and steeled herself for the coming confession. “When I saw him, he was going by the name Glen Masters, and he was the security chief for Senator Carlsman.”
“Senator Clayton Carlsman who everyone thinks will run for president?”
