Page 36 of The Silence of Monsters

“If that was true, you wouldn’t be fake married to Channing. You would’ve had a normal relationship and asked her to marry you because you love her. Anyone with functioning eyes can see you are down bad for her.”

I couldn’t refute his astute claims. “Channing thinks I’m a menace. I haven’t been very kind to her. Our family history isn’t conducive to simplicity between us. Even without my mother in the picture, a normal relationship isn’t in the cards.”

“Give it all up.” Alistair’s tone was suddenly serious. “Get rid of everything that makes being together difficult. Your father was willing to do it. So was Archie. Channing deserves a man willing to choose her over everything else. I had no intention of being associated with the Hallidays until my sister got sick. If I hadn’t needed the money, and if my parents managed to work things out, the only thing I would’ve asked for is the chance to get to know you better. I went into design because of you, Win. I admired you long before I learned we were related.”

I lifted my eyebrows and watched the younger man thoughtfully. “Could you walk away from everything now that you know what it’s like to have more money and power than you ever imagined?” Who in their right mind would willingly go from extraordinary to ordinary?

My half-brother sat back in his chair and gave me a bright grin. “Winnie told me that Channing said that having more is always better than not having enough. There is some truth to that, but my life was turned upside down when I found out I had another parent. I think we should strive to have just enough to be happy. The more money and power you accumulate, the further away you get from what you actually want.” He had a point. Channing was always perfectly content with her ordinary life, which is why I found her to be extraordinary. “It doesn’t matter if your relationship with Channing is real. Colette won’t accept it. She’s been in danger ever since you started to show the slightest interest in her. Eventually, you’re going to have to choose.”

Alistair climbed to his feet and patted me on the shoulder when he walked past me. It was almost time for dinner to be served and he left me alone with my thoughts and the faint stars struggling to shine through the light pollution.

Most days, I felt like I could cover the sky with a single hand. Not today. For once, I realized how ridiculously small and irrelevant I was. I pushed to my feet and turned to head inside. My steps faltered when Rocco called me.

I walked toward the balcony and looked down at the sprawling city below. My voice was strained when I answered the call. “I’m assuming you found something.” He wasn’t the type who let something go once he sank his teeth into it. It was one reason we worked so well together.

“The medical facility is abandoned. It looks like the place was emptied and scrubbed clean in a hurry. I’m tracking down anyone who was on staff. So far, there are no records of employment or government license. Is it possible your mother was running a ghost business all these years?”

I suddenly wished I were a smoker. Or that I had another drink in my hand. “I’m fairly certain I’ve been living my entire life in the dark. I don’t think there is a line my mother wouldn’t cross to make sure everything and everyone acts according to her wishes.” I closed my eyes and rubbed them with my free hand. “While you’re trying to locate the employees, see if you can find anyone who worked at the main hospital in the Cove before my parents were married. Someone mentioned my father was incredibly ill right before they got engaged. It seems like my mother might’ve been manipulating things behind the scenes long before Archie and I were in the picture.”

Rocco sighed. “I told you it wasn’t wise to move home after your dad died. Things have been off in your family for a long time.”

I chuckled and opened my eyes. It was well past time I needed to see things clearly. “I’m what is off.” There was no excuse for blindly following the path laid out for me before I was born. Sure, it was paved with gold and lined with any extravagance a man could ask for. All I had to give up was a mind of my own.

Rocco’s low laughter filled my ear. “Never would’ve thought billionaires had bigger burdens than the average Joe. I’ll keep poking around until I have something solid.” There was a pointed pause before he asked, “Are you positive Conrad is your mother’s insider? That’s a lot of years of friendship to throw away if you’re wrong.”

“And if I’m right…” There was no telling how much of my day-to-day life was being guided by my mother’s specifications. I followed Conrad’s directives without question because I truly believed we were cut from the same cloth.

“If you’re right, I can bury him in a hole so deep, he’ll never be found.” I couldn’t tell if the former military man was serious or not. I decided it was in my best interest not to ask questions.

I hung up the phone and stepped into the townhouse. The sound of laughter greeted me as soon as I opened the door. Winnie sounded lighter and more cheerful than I’d heard in a long time. She sounded like a kid who knew how to have fun. If I didn’t act now, she would have joy stolen from her the same way I did. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

When my gaze met Channing’s, I noticed her eyes were brighter than the stars outside. The way she smiled at me made me feel like a million bucks. It was insane that the weight of her smile carried more weight in my heart than my money.

I ruffled Winnie’s red hair and dropped a kiss onto Channing’s. My half-brother caught my eye and gave me a knowing wink. He gestured to the table full of food and encouraged everyone to eat.

Halfway through the meal when Winnie asked, “How much longer am I going to stay in the city?”

I stiffened involuntarily. Channing noticed my reaction and leaned over to bump Winnie’s shoulder with her own. “Are you bored? We haven’t even gone to my favorite pizza place yet.”

Winnie bumped her back. “I’m not bored. But going back and forth to school is a hassle. I have to get up so early to be there on time.” She gave me a wide-eyed look. “It wouldn’t be so bad if I could travel by helicopter.”

Alistair let out a low whistle. “You have a helicopter. Impressive, Mr. Halliday. I see I’ll have to up my corporate game to keep up.”

“He has a private jet as well. I flew on it once when Uncle Win took me to Paris.” Winnie was just stating facts, but her revelation made Channing look like she was sucking on a lemon.

“For now, you can commute by car. Once I get some personal things ironed out, we’ll discuss if it’s better to keep you in your school or move you to one in the city.” Thinking about all the choices I hadn’t been allowed to make for myself I promised her, “Let us know what you prefer, and I’ll do my best to accommodate your wishes.”

Winnie nodded, but her playful attitude faded. “Are you going to explain what’s going on? I keep asking Aunt Channing, but she won’t tell me anything.” She pointed at the young man at the head of the table. “Neither will Uncle Alistair.”

I felt a pang in my chest when she referred to someone else as ‘Uncle.’ That was an honor specific to me for so long, I wasn’t sure I wanted to share it.

Sensing my internal struggle, Channing chimed in. “I told you that you aren’t using a helicopter unless it’s an absolute emergency. We’re dealing with some complicated adult stuff you don’t need to worry about right now.” She smoothed Winnie’s hair that I’d ruffled. “You remember that your uncle and I are going to protect you no matter what, right?”

My niece reluctantly nodded.

Channing grinned at her. “Trust us.”

Winnie pouted in protest until Alistair poked his fork onto her plate to steal some of the potato tarte tatin she’d been hoarding to eat at the end of her meal.

---