Page 103 of Connor's Claim

Connor who, a flash of memory delivered, had a deal with my father. I never had got to the bottom of that.

The mayor straightened his suit in the mirrored wall. “You’ll exit this building calmly, or every detail I have on your murderous boyfriend will be handed over to the chief of police.”

My breathing stilled. “You can’t prove anything. It was years ago.”

His threat to reveal that Phillips’ death had been at Connor’s hands had been part of my reason to stay. It felt like a lifetime ago that I’d had to make that choice.

“Are you really so naïve? That boy is a killer, Everly. I have evidence of his depravity from then until now. Names, dates, method, and even pictures. I’ll play witness so you can watch how fast he’s imprisoned. You’ll never see him again.”

We reached the ground floor. My father exited with his game face installed once more.

Horror weighed down my trailing footsteps, because of course I followed. He knew everything Connor had revealed tome. How, I wasn’t sure, but I was certain he’d carry out his threat. Connor had called me his, yet it was plain as day that my lack of oversight had just cost me everything.

Chapter 35

Connor

My mother’s anxious eyes appeared in a gap in the door. She swung it open and jacked her thumb at the hallway. “Quick, before someone sees.”

I’d driven into North Berwick after twenty-four hours of no sleep and a fuck-ton of fun rounding up my next set of condemned men.

Business as usual, except every fibre of my being demanded I turn the car around and go back to Deadwater. But Everly would be safe with Mick and Manny, and my plan needed to play out.

It fucking hurt to be away from her this long. The prize I’d present her with was worth it.

Ma directed me into the kitchen. “Did ye really need to come looking like that?”

I dropped into a seat and glanced at the bloodstains on my jeans. The struggle was real. “Ye called me at work. What did ye expect?”

Her lips formed a disgusted pout. “Not this.”

I heaved a sigh, already over her. Her panicked request for help had spurred me into action, bringing me here in a hurry. Despite everything, I still cared about my mother. Everly’s revelations on Friday night had me sentimental. Yet here the woman was, right as rain.

“Want to get to the point of your call?”

“I heard noises in the night. What if someone’s watching the house?”

This was why I’d come. If she was in danger, I’d protect her. “Have ye seen anyone? Did your neighbourhood group report intruders?”

“No, but after your visit, I kept imagining the worst. Your threat scared me. I don’t feel safe.”

“The threat wasn’t mine. Do ye have cameras around the house?”

“Of course not. Am I made of money?”

I scowled, the waste of time already clear. “I’ll order a couple to be delivered.”

“Great. They’ll sit in a box until someone helpful can install them.”

God forbid she’d ever learn a new skill. “Aren’t ye still with the father of your bairns?”

She popped a hip against the counter. “No. But I got to keep the house this time. And he takes the boys off my hands on weekends, so look who’s laughing now.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket with an incoming call. It cut out immediately. I hesitated in my need to check the screen so I could get this over and done with.

I centred my gaze on my mother once more. “Read the instructions, buy a screwdriver, then watch the cameras from your phone if you’re scared at night. If anything happens, call the cops.”

I moved to the door. Palmed my phone. The missed call was from Mick.

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