Page 59 of Betrayed

“We don’t know. We’re looking at every angle.”

There it is, the party line.

Before I could accuse him of avoiding my question, he asked another. “Did you know your parents are having money problems?”

“What?” I asked. My father told me they weren’t. Sure, Priscilla whined about daddy supporting me, but that was because she was greedy, not because he couldn’t afford it. I folded and unfolded my napkin until it fell apart. It couldn’t be true; my father would never lie to me.But what if?

“If it’s true, I’d happily give my dad my inheritance to make this all go away, but…”

“But you can’t, not yet,” AJ finished for me.

Did everyone at SSI know I’d inherit my grandfather’s fortune on my twenty-fifth birthday? Is that why they were so nice tome? It wouldn’t surprise me. Most people were nice once they learned I'd be worth almost enough millions to qualify as a billionaire.

“Blake?”

“What?” I mumbled. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“You didn’t know, did you?”

“I don’t think it’s true,” I argued without conviction. Memories flashed through my mind. Individually, they meant nothing, but together they added up to one giant red flag.

“I assure you it is, and unfortunately, having money problems is a strong motive to make some questionable decisions.”

Questionable decisions? My head snapped up to look at him, ready to argue again, but the honesty, and empathy, in his eyes stopped me dead in my tracks.

He’s telling the truth.

“Why didn’t he tell me?” I buried my face in my hands and cried.

If he’d just told me, I could have helped and none of this would have happened. I wouldn’t be locked up in the stupid house with no way to call him. What if they get pissed they can’t get to me and go after him? Would they kill him? What would I do then?

I felt the comfort from AJ’s large, warm hand on my forearm a moment before he answered.

“I can’t answer for him, but it’s safe to assume he didn’t want to embarrass himself by asking his daughter to bail him out of debt.”

When he put it like that, it made sense. Daddy was a proud man, and he’d never ask me for help. He wouldn’t want me to see him as anything less than the man I’d loved and worshipped my whole life.

But would it really be so bad? Surely, it wouldn’t be worse than this?He must be so worried. If only I could call him and tell him I was okay and offer to give him what he needed.

“Is my dad doing okay?” I asked.

“As far as I know, he’s fine.” Something about the tone of his voice, and the guarded expression in his eyes, felt off.

What isn’t he telling me now?

Chapter 29

AJ

Iwasn’t lying when I said Davenport was worried about her, but I didn’t tell her everything. I couldn’t—I’d already told her too much. Upsetting the guys at SSI didn't worry me; they’d understand and forgive me. But I wasn’t sure Blake could handle any more surprises.

So I didn’t tell her Davenport was being less than helpful and deflecting our questions like the politician he was. Shrugging off the questions about his financial issues. Refusing to talk to us about who could be behind the threat. Defending hisquestionable choices as a DA. Declining all our suggestions to keep him safe.

However, he insisted we do whatever was necessary to keep Blake safe. Regardless of what he’d done, might still be doing, there was no doubt he loved his daughter. The only subject he would talk to us about.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“We’re still investigating, so there are a lot of unanswered questions.”Great, now I sound like a fucking politician. At least it wasn't a lie.

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