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Christmas At The Hunt Hotel

Page 122

by Carrie Elks

She’s my childhood friend. Christ, we were lovers once. Why would she want to ruin our family?

“My source is ironclad,” Saskia says softly. “I’m sorry, Theo.”

“Fuck.” I slam my palm against the steering wheel. “Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.” Jesus Christ, I never saw it coming.

I’m the biggest dick in the world.

“Theo?” Saskia says quietly. “Are you okay?”

No. I’m not fucking okay. “I need to go,” I mutter. “Send me what you have in an email. I’ll read it when I get to the airport.”

I end the call, my hand stinging. My throat stinging too. I squeeze my eyes shut.

I have to go. I have to catch that plane.

Kate knew Georgia was innocent. And she still stood there, looking smug, as she imploded my world.

“Call Alex,” I say, pressing down the voice control on the wheel.

“Calling Alex,” the tinny voice replies. The line rings. Once, twice. Then a third time.

By the fourth ring, I’m ready to put my fist through the dashboard. Luckily for my sanity, he finally picks up.

“Get Kate out of the house,” I tell him.

“What?” he says. “Why? A simple hello would help, you dick.”

“Kate’s the leak,” I say. “The one inside the family. Get her out of the damn house now before she does any more damage.”

“You’ve finally gone insane.” Alex lets out a sharp laugh. “Jesus, Theo. Take a chill pill. Of course it’s not Kate. She’s been with me all day.”

“What else have you told her?” I demand. “If you’ve spilled any more family secrets, I swear I’ll ring your fucking neck.”

“Of course I haven’t.” He hesitates. “Are you being serious?”

“Deadly. Saskia has proof. She’s sending it through to me now. Get her out. Keep her out. And make sure nobody in the family talks to her.” I take a slow breath. “Where’s Dad?”

“In his office. Probably deep in a bottle of whiskey.”

“And our mother?”

“She came home and went straight to her room.”

I let out a breath. “Has Kate spoken to either of them?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think,” I say quietly, “or you don’t know?”

“I don’t know,” he admits. There’s a pause, then some low words. A moment later, Kate’s voice comes on the line.

“Theo, I don’t know what Saskia’s been saying to you, but it’s all lies. She’s got it all wrong.”

My jaw tightens. “Get the fuck out of our house. Before I call the police on you.”

“For what? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“You spoke to a journalist.”