Page 101 of Branded Betrayal

“Wait, what’s going on?” Wyatt asks.

Harlon grips the arms of the chair and pushes off it. “Now, hold it right there, young lady. You need to sit down right no—”

“Don’t you dare tell me what to do,” I say. “And you had the nerve to look me in the eye the other day and say how close you were with my parents, how you’d always be here to help me with anything I need.” I shake my head, pressing my fingers against my temples.

“All the while, you planned out that job. You were responsible for my parents’ deaths. You got them involved with that criminal. And you never took responsibility.”

Harlon’s skin flushes a deep red. He sneaks a look at Wyatt before smoothing his hair back. “It was complicated. We were all desperate—”

I kick the leg of the chair. “Desperate? You got them killed. You and Blaze and Nash, running your criminal operation through their legitimate business.”

“Your parents made that decision. Nobody strong-armed them into getting involved,” Harlon growls. “That is not on me.”

“You brought it to them. You dangled it in front of them like a carrot, which they grabbed because they needed it.” Tears stream from my eyes. “My God, why did they do it? Why did they fall for your bullshit promises?”

“It was supposed to be an easy job. Nobody foresaw what would happen that night.”

“You made Blaze work for a crew of criminals. You destroyed him. You destroyed my family.” I look at Wyatt over my shoulder. “And I want your father to know what a low-life, lying snake I think he is. For destroying my life. For destroying Blaze’s life.”

Wyatt grabs my arm and gives it a little tug. “Let’s just talk about this, okay?”

I whip my head around, my eyes narrowed to slits. Blood pounds in my ears. “Did you know?” I croak out. “Did everyone but me know?”

Wyatt shakes his head. “I swear. This is the first I’m hearing of anything like this.” He turns a dark stare on his father. “Is it all true? Did you get wrapped up with some criminals, Dad?”

“Wyatt, it’s not for you to worry about,” Harlon says. “We’ll discuss this later.” He walks toward me, the vein in his neck throbbing. “Let’s talk outside. Alone.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I seethe. “You took everything from me. My parents are dead, and Blaze . . .” I can’t even fathom how things might have been different between me and Blaze if he hadn’t become such a pawn in his father’s games.

“Please. Just five minutes. There are things you need to hear.”

“Dad, maybe now’s not the best time—” Wyatt says.

Harlon just slices into him with a look before guiding me into the hall. I shrug out of his grasp and back into a wall in an attempt to put as much space between us as possible. I clutch my belly. Even looking at him makes me want to hurl all over his boots.

“You need to leave town.” His gaze hardens, eyes dark with foreboding.

My jaw drops, damn near hitting the floor. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He lifts an eyebrow and folds his arms over his chest, drawing himself to his full height. Fucking asshole. He’s trying to intimidate me.

Is this what he did to Blaze?

“It’s not safe for you here. Not anymore.”

“Because I know what a self-centered, arrogant, reckless man you actually are? Because I know enough to see through your mask, Harlon?” I take a step toward him. “Am I . . . dangerous to you? Are you worried I might do or say something crazy to blow your carefully crafted tale of success? Because I’m so hysterical and unhinged?” I manage a nasty smile. “Is that why you want me to leave? Because I’m not afraid of you or your threats.”

He shakes his head, brows furrowed. “You need to leave because of Blaze. Because he cares about you. That makes you a target.”

“To the people you sold him to in the first place,” I say.

“All I’m saying is that the wrong people know who you are and where you live. I’m trying to help. To warn you of the danger.”

“Help me? After everything you’ve already done? You have a guilty conscience, Harlon?”

He moves closer, his voice dropping. “Savannah, you need to get out of Whiskey Creek. Tonight, if not sooner. These people don’t like loose ends.”

“Why would you try to help me? Why now?”