Page 58 of Sins

“Yes, Mom, and my father chose. He chose me.” As I said it, my heart that had already been riddled with tiny cracks by my father’s sins now shattered in tiny pieces at the storm inside me.

Before Mom could recover, I choked out the last painful detail. “His choice made them see who he really cared about, so they killed Calli instead.” I broke into a sob.

“Kenna!” She jumped to her feet, her head shaking in denial. “Your father would never, ever do such a thing. I can’t believe it. How can you make such a terrible accusation?”

I closed my eyes and let my heavy tears run freely down my cheeks. How could she say such a thing to me? “When have I ever told you anything without being able to back my truth?”

“He’s your father?—”

“He’s a monster who got one of your children murdered.”

My head jerked to the side as the sting of her slap burned my cheek.Numb. My mother had always heard me out before, but she usually tried to make me see that I simply misunderstood my father and his intentions. I realized now that she never really wanted to see him for who he was. She’d gone too far this time.

“Oh, Kenna,” she covered her mouth in horror, “I’m so sorry, honey, but I know you must have it all wrong.” She reached out, but I stepped back, as the pain of her betrayal was almost too much to bear.

“Well,” I sniffed, “lucky for me Simon has a copy of the prison tape that says otherwise.” He didn’t have it, but I knew he could get it. I put a hand on my stomach and hoped my baby wouldn’t ever feel the sting of such a hit. “You don’t get to decide to be a mother one moment and the next look the other way when things go wrong. Wake up, Mother, and open your eyes. You should be a mother first before anything else! My father isn’t worth your love.” I turned and headed for the door.

“I know he isn’t. Kenna, I’m so sorry. Please stop.” I looked over my shoulder at the sudden change in the tone of her voice.“It won’t count for much, but let me at least explain why I left in the beginning. Why I didn’t take you with me. Will you give me a chance?” I gave a tight nod and waited for her to go on.

My mother’sconfession fanned the flames inside me to an all-consuming blaze. When I left her, I grabbed the elevator phone inside the steel box and furiously punched zero. “Gavin?” You couldn’t miss my tone, and I knew he was looking at me through the security camera. “Where’s my father?”

“Well, now, Ms. Kenna, the last time I saw him he was in his beloved showman box on display for everyone.” I hit the floor button and felt my phone buzz in my hand.

Grim: Why were you with Simon today? Is there something I should know?

I tucked my phone away. One thing at a time.

“Ms. Kenna, is there anything I can do to help?”

I waited until the doors opened for the restaurant’s floor in case he tried to stop me. “Yes. Give me a head start if the police show up.” I slammed the phone down and raced out.

A few employees called my name, but I ignored them as I marched toward where my father sat in his famous showcase seat. How dare he use the place of our family dinners to show what a coward he was? The place was busy, of course. That was why he stayed there. I saw his security agent’s expression; he was beyond stressed. Simon just kept shaking his head as he listened to my father, who spoke to both of them. I briefly wondered if he’d found out about Simon’s meeting with me. Either way, something was going to happen because I’d had enough.

I caught Laurel Gates’ eye from the far side of the restaurant. She had a phone to her ear. She held up a hand, then slowly lowered it. Her expression was full of worry, but nothing could stop me now.

I slammed open the door with my palm, and it hit so hard against the glass wall it boomed throughout the whole place, and everyone looked our way.

“You Goddamn son of a bitch!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

Someone grabbed me from behind, but I whirled and rammed the heel of my hand into his nose just like Morgan had taught me and heard it crack. He yelled and stepped back, and when I turned, Simon was in front of me. His eyes were wild with concern, and he took hold of my arm.

“For fuck’s sake, Kenna, sit down or I’ll make you sit down.” Dad’s nasty voice found me as he looked out of the corner of his eye. He knew very well that everyone now stared at us.Fine. Now you’re getting what you want.

“Kenna.” Simon looked rattled as he cupped my elbow. “Is everything all right?”

“We are far from all right, Simon.”

His throat contracted, and he stepped back and got out of my way.Smart man. Brick popped into view, but I shook my head to keep him at bay.

“Kenna,” Dad lowered his voice, but it was still sharp and nasty, “you’re making a scene. Sit down.”

He was right, I was, and now that I had the attention, it was time to bust this shit wide open. I wasn’t in my teens anymore; I wasn’t a kid desperate for his approval. I wanted nothing from him but to finish this. I lowered into a chair and slipped my mind into cool and collected.

Grim burst into the room and looked around, and relief spread through him when he spotted me.

“Gates, this is a family matter,” Dad growled. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“I disagree.” I pulled out the chair next to me. “Grim.” I nodded at the chair. He was already on his way over and sat down and moved it closer to me. His hand landed on my leg. It surprised me that he didn’t flip out or demand I leave. I wondered if Gavin had called him right after I hung up. His mother now watched us from a place near the bar.

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