Page 11 of Love in the Wild

“Just tell me. The answer is relevant.”

Brett held up his hands, emphasizing every word. “I didn’t kill your dad. I was trying to stop Mark from killing him.”

Mark Patton was the one who’d been found guilty of killing Gage and Thea’s dad, but Brett had also been a prime suspect for a while too.

While Brett would have wanted to get rid of Gage and Thea’s dad to keep him from hurting Thea again, Mark had reason to want their dad dead too. Gage’s uncle Bruce killed Mark’s brother, Brett and Jess’s dad. Two equally strong motives.

But Gage knew the truth. He’d heard it from Brett’s mouth. “Wrong answer. I overheard you after the trial.”

Brett’s eyes narrowed, and his chin tilted slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“You told your sister you did it. You admitted it. You did it, and you got away with it. Thea might have hated our dad, but she’ll never forgive you. She swore up and down you were different, but you’re just like the rest of us.”

“That’s bogus. I didn’t do it, and I never admitted to it.”

The pressure in Gage’s chest was building again. They were all liars, but denial in the face of the truth was a whole other level of deception.

“You said the bullets hit their target just like they were meant to. Your sister tried to shut you up because the people around could hear you. You said it was true. Now, tell me you didn’t mean to kill my dad that night.”

“I didn’t mean to kill your dad because I didn’t kill your dad. I hated your dad. He abused Thea and your mom. I hated him, but I didn’t kill him.”

This conversation wasn’t getting them anywhere. “Fine. I didn’t expect you to admit it.”

“I didn’t do it!” Brett shouted.

Gage jerked his head to the right, then left. They were in a crowded hospital hallway discussing guilt and innocence like the outcome mattered. “Keep your voice down, idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot or a murderer. I was there that night because I knew Mark was there to kill your dad. I was trying to stop him.”

Gage scoffed. This was rich. What a spin on the story.

“It’s true. Abusive or not, Thea wouldn’t wish her dad or anyone else dead. She’s not like the Howards.”

“Or the Pattons,” Gage added.

“Fair enough. She’s good down to her bones. At least, she was. I don’t have a clue who she is now. She up and left like everyone else when the fingers started pointing at me. She knew me better than that.”

Brett was right about one thing. Thea wasn’t like the rest of them. Gage hated their dad too. He’d spent many nights contemplating how he could do it himself.

But it would have broken Thea’s heart. He’d found ways to protect her as soon as he was old enough to defend them, but their dad found ways to hide it.

Something in Brett’s voice was sincere, but Gage ignored it. He couldn’t fall for this guy’s lies again.

Gage looked to the right, then left before crossing his arms over his chest. “So, you’re saying you weren’t there that night to kill my dad?”

Brett threw his head back against the wall. “No, I wasn’t there to kill your dad. I was there because someone has to put an end to this. Unfortunately, I got there too late, and then I was prime suspect number two right behind my uncle Mark.”

Gage twisted his lips, chewing on the problem. There had to be a solution. “Why can’t Tommy and Mark have it out with each other?”

“Because if they’re going down, they’re taking everyone with them.”

“How did you know Thea was hurt?” Gage asked.

“Whoever did this to her pushed her out of a truck into the church parking lot. I was at a wedding.”

Gage pointed at Brett’s collar. “I was wondering about the nice getup. Looks like you won’t be wearing that again.”

Brett looked down at the ruined shirt. Thea’s blood covered the one pristine white. “Absolutely not. I’ll be burning this as soon as I get home.”

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