“Ididn’t die,” Tolliver said. “I kept the promise I made to him and left my son with the memory of the man who adored him as his father. He raised Aspen. He loved his son. He was a better man than I. I thought it a blessing at the time.”
“Orit was more of your cowardice,” Dash spat. He chuckled, shaking his head. “This makes you exiling him from the family a million times worse. You do realize that?”
Tolliver cringed. “I wanted what was best for him.”
“My fatherwaswhat was best for him,” Dash said. “His mate.”
“Our family is a powerful one. No one had ever mated their fated one—not until Quinn and Tanner. We mated for power. Influence. I was raised to see these relationships as contractual, not a love match. I also wanted my son to live a life of ease. Of riches. Wanting for nothing,” Tolliver said. “And I was angry he wouldn’t listen to reason. I thought he’d see the error of his ways and come back.”
“Good thing he didn’t,” Oakley said. “Dash and I wouldn’t exist had he listened to you.”
Tolliver’s cloudy gaze washed over Dash and Oakley. “You’re right. I was wrong but couldn’t see that in my arrogance. Now, nearing the end, even with my memory going, I see far betterthan I wish I did at times. That’s why I want to make things right before I leave this earth.”
“It’s too late,” Dash said. He turned to Emerson. “The courtroom should be open now. We need to get inside.”
Tolliver eyed Dash. “I’ve spoken to the judge on your behalf.”
Dash rolled his eyes. “You had no right to do that.”
Tolliver seemed to ignore him. “Things will go smoothly now. Rest assured.”
“It’s a simple reclassification,” Dash said, rising on his feet. “It shouldn’t have been bumpy in the first place.” He focused his attention on Beau, Quinn, and Bellamy. “Why did you come?”
“To show our support,” Quinn said.
“And you knewnothingof what he planned?”
Quinn shook his head. “Not a bit.”
“Can you take him home? I don’t want him here,” Dash said.
“I’ll handle it,” Beau said, walking towards Tolliver.
“I’m sorry,” Quinn said to Dash and Oakley. “I’m sure this isn’t welcome news. But, if anything, my brothers and I have gained an uncle out of this chaos.”
Dash eyed Quinn, underwhelmed.
“And you two have gained a grandfather. For however long he has left,” Quinn added. “Which means we’re allfirstcousins—not second.”
“I guess Oak and I are moving up in the world,” Dash muttered as he walked towards the courtroom.
“The bastard didn’t even mention me,” Oakley snarled. “I was never asked for a heart-to-heart with the bastard. But then, I’m only a lowly omega.”
“Perhaps he’ll forget me once I’m reclassified,” Dash said. “One can only hope.”
Emerson slipped his hand into Dash’s and opened the door inside. Oakley, Quinn, and Bellamy followed them and sat downon one of the benches beside them. A few minutes later, Dash’s red-eyed papa and father arrived and sat directly behind them.
“I’m sorry for my outburst out there,” Papa said, his voice low.
“You had every right—uncle,”Quinn whispered.
Papa scoffed. “At least I enjoy you and your brothers, Quinn. Learning you’re my nephews might be the only silver lining amid this storm cloud.”
Quinn reached back and squeezed Papa’s hand.
Dash eyed Quinn, thinking back to a meeting they’d had in his office long ago, when his cousin had first realized they were related. He’d done everything in his power to push Quinn and the other McCrearys away, and while he still wasn’t interested in having anything to do with Tolliver, he was glad he and his family had developed a relationship with Quinn, Beau, and Tanner.
He didn’t appreciate the family he had enough.
