Page 38 of Mine to Dominate

“You took two people’s lives because you thought your reputation would be tarnished? What kind of reason is that?” Fletcher growled. “I wish I’d been able to prove it. Your ass would have already been in prison. But that’s okay. You can go now and live out the rest of your life there. What do you think will happen to your reputation then, Father?”

“Son…”

“Enough. Put the gun down,” Fletcher said.

“I can’t go to prison,” Harold said.

“You don’t have a choice,” Fletcher said.

“There are always choices, Son.”

Kayla had no idea what happened. Zeke lunged forward at the same time Fletcher yelled, and then she heard the gunshot.

When she was able to see what happened, Fletcher’s father was dead on the floor with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head and the gun still clenched in his hand. Blood, bone fragments, and brain matter were sprayed all over the floor, walls, and ceiling.

Zeke took her into his arms and turned her away from the horror. “Don’t look, Baby.”

“He killed himself?” she whispered.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I would guess it was because he knew he’d go to prison, and he couldn’t take the shame of it.”

“So, Fletcher has to deal with all this.”

Zeke tightened his arms around her. “Not by himself. We’ll be there for him.”

She nodded and rested her head against his chest. It was finally over, at least the fear of what might happen. Now, they’ddeal with the aftermath.

Chapter Nineteen

It had been a few days since the incident. The State police were finally gone, and Fletcher’s father had been cremated and buried. Zeke made sure the sheriff’s department paid for it and that everyone could be there to support the young man. Zeke could tell Fletcher had been deeply affected by their concern and thought about the things he could do to help the young man.

Later that day, when Fletcher knocked on his office door and asked to talk, Zeke was ready and willing to do whatever it took.

Fletcher closed the door behind him and sat in one of the chairs in front of Zeke’s desk.

“How are you holding up?” Zeke asked.

Fletcher shrugged. “It still feels like a nightmare.”

Zeke nodded. “I can imagine. What can I do to help?”

“I was thinking about moving away. Maybe starting new somewhere else.”

“I have an idea. I’ve already talked to the sheriff in Madison, and he’s interested in having you come work for him. It’s in another town, but you’re still close to your friends.”

Fletcher tried to laugh. “I don’t think I have any friends.”

“You’d be surprised how many people care about you, Fletcher.”

The man looked surprised, and Zeke caught the emotion he tried to hide.

“We know why you acted like an asshole, and it’s understandable. You didn’t want anyone close to you. That way, no one would find out about your father and your family secrets.”

Fletcher looked away and nodded. “You’re right. However, I would have taken Kayla. I thought she’d be able to make me feel better and help me through everything.”

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