I shake my head, not believing Kensley. “My father didn’t send her away. She chose to run. To embarrass me on my wedding day.”
Kensley’s brow pinches. “She loves you. It’s why she left. You read the letter.”
“I read that she wanted to end things, that she doesn’t want me to chase after her. Where did she go?” I growl and lean closer, tipping the chair backward. My hands grip the metal, keeping Kensley from falling.
Her eyes widen as she gasps for air. “I don’t know! I let her use my credit card,” she admits far too easily. “You really are mafia.”
My gaze tightens. “Did Harper tell you that?” I tilt my head, replanting the feet of the chair back onto the cement floor.
“She told me everything,” Kensley whispers, staring up at me. “But she left out the part where you’re the monster.”
Her words cut deeper than the betrayal of Harper’s leaving.
I never wanted to become my father, but torturing Kensley, the anger burns through me hotter than fiery coals in a roaring flame. “She shouldn’t have run.”
“You don’t love her,” Kensley says, refusing to back down.
I see the fear behind her pale-blue gaze. I’ve frightened her, but she doesn’t cower.
She straightens herself in her seat, defiant. “She left because she loves you.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” I growl at Kensley. I tip her chair back, and her eyes widen.
She knows if I let go, she’ll smack into the cold concrete, likely hit her head. She’s leaning forward, trying to brace herself for the moment of impact.
But I don’t remove my hands from the metal chair.
“She didn’t want to force you into a life with her and Zeke.”
“But I want that life!” I shout at Kensley, as if he she can somehow tell Harper while being restrained on the metal folding chair.
I slam the chair back down on all fours, and she bounces but doesn’t fall over.
Kensley is breathing hard, her body trembling from the adrenaline.
“I shouldn’t have trusted Harper to keep our secret.”
“I swear she only told me because she knew she could trust me,” Kensley says, defending her.
“She should have trusted me!” I shout.
“Your allegiance is to your father, your family. She told me everything about how you’re being forced to work for your father. Harper was trying to give you another life. A better life.”
I step back, needing to get away from Kensley. “It’s all lies.” I can’t listen to her. She’s trying to get into my head, confuse me, make me see things that aren’t as they are.
“I swear to you, she loves you. That’s why she did this—she’s throwing her college education away, her stability. She has nothing while on the run.”
I head for the stairs, taking them two at a time, leaving Kensley restrained.
“I have to find her.”
I need to find her before Dante or his men track her down.
They’re not going to be as forgiving.
“Did you get anything out of the girl?” Moreno asks as I step out of the basement.
I hesitate, deciding whether I want to do this alone, but think better of it.
