Page 68 of Kept in the Dark

Trey nodded. There was no use in denying it. David knew they were all together and Trey was curious as to what he wanted to say.

“You are. She can hear you, so can Trey.”

David chuckled cynically. “Of course he’s there, too. Sara, it’s nice to see you haven't changed since you were a teenager, dragging your sister into your mess. I warned you that if you didn’t drop it, I’d come after you.”

“And I warned you that I was going to destroy you. So, you can do what I did thirteen years ago and just roll over and take it, or we can make this a blood bath.”

Trey didn’t like the way the conversation was turning. And he really didn’t like that Sara had clearly been in contact with David, threatening him, no less.

“For someone who claims to not be a murderer, you sure sound like one,” David replied.

Sara wanted to defend herself, but Hailey beat her to it. “We all know you’re lying, Dad. So go ahead and prepare your news speech about how you screwed up. I’m sure you’ll come out looking like the victim as always.”

Trey lifted a brow. There was a time when Hailey would have nearly cowered in a corner if her father was upset with her. Now, she was bold and outspoken, something he found incredibly sexy.

“Why are you two trying to ruin everything I’ve built, destroy everything I’ve done for you?” David said.

Trey nearly cursed the man, as if putting a roof over Hailey and Sara’s heads somehow absolved him of his abuse. They all knew better than to believe that crock of shit. David Gallagher did everything in his own self-interest, never out of the goodness of his heart.

Sara said, “Let me be very clear: I will tear down your entire kingdom brick by brick if I have to. I’m not interested in cradling your ego or worrying about your reputation. I’m going to find out who really killed Mom and if that means I have to burn down the world to figure it out, so be it.”

David inhaled slowly, regaining his composure. It was another part of his game, another way to make you think he was in control. “I will give you both one chance to let things be. Sara, you served your time, but I can make sure you go back if you don’t leave well-enough alone.”

Trey tried to speak, but Sara cut him off. She sneered, “You tried to bury me thirteen years ago, but I clawed my way out of the dirt. You don’t get to threaten me. You don’t get to control me. And you damn sure don’t get to manipulate me. If you want to try to bury me again, be my guest, but I’ll come bringing a shovel for you, too.”

David chuckled wickedly. “You talk a big game for someone who signed a guilty plea deal.”

Sara didn’t say anything, she didn’t want to engage with him any longer. When she didn’t respond he said, “And Hailey, don’t go looking for trouble because you might just find it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“You’ll both regret this,” he said. The line went dead, and Hailey put her phone back in her pocket.

The fictional kingdom David built had been for his ego and his need for control. And it seemed the twins were done letting David play the part of king. The princesses were going to overthrow their father from his throne and David hated them for it.

Trey instinctively stepped closer to Hailey, wanting to protect her. He remembered the last time she defied her father, the beating she had gotten. When he found out, Trey had wanted to kill David and had even started driving toward the Gallagher Estate. Then, he had found himself too scared to challenge the devil who had left bruises all over Hailey’s body.

But Trey was no longer a kid. He was a man who wasn’t afraid of the repercussions when it came to his family.

Hailey quickly said, “He’s hiding something, and I want to know what it is.”

“You and me, both,” Trey said.

This wasn’t just about David’s image and reputation, there was something else going on.

“Well, that was fun,” Sara said to break the tension.

Hailey shook her head and raised an arm. “What did you do, anyway? He was pissed at you.”

Sara shrugged. “I went and saw him after we watched the tape with Trey. I wanted answers. Instead, I got under his skin. Which is exactly what we want.”

Trey said, “You need to be careful. He’s clearly agitated and he’s grasping for control. People who are used to being in control will go to great lengths to keep it.”

“He’s not actually going to hurt us,” Hailey said.

Trey threw an arm up. “Hailey, he literally threw you into your dining room wall when you refused to break things off with me.”

Sara said, “He’s right. Dad is effing crazy so be careful because you royally pissed him off this time. I mean, nice it’s not me for a change.” She quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong, he’s mad at me, but he’s pissed at you.”

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