Page 136 of Things Left Unsaid

Because they only care about money, maybe I’ll be seeing you sooner than you think.

My eyes widen in horror.

Normally, it’s this crazy bitch telling me I’m scum or that I don’t deserve to live because I committed the crime of being born a Korhonen.

This is an active threat against Zee.

And it means that one of my household staff is a fucking gossip.

Quickly, I tug open the other letter.

You’re going to pay, Korhonen.

Your family’s gotten away with murder for too long.

If you don’t want me to go to the cops, then you’ll transfer twenty-thousand dollars to this account.

I have proof you’re a murderer.

I’m not afraid of you.

Then, there’s a bank account listed.

“What’s that?”

Spying my wife in the doorway, hesitating like she still doesn’t know if she’s allowed to share oxygen with me, I murmur, “If you want a beer, there’s a six-pack in the fridge.”

I try not to watch her, but it’s an immediate fail.

She draws me like iron to a magnet.

Whatever room she’s in, I track her.

The hunter in me can’t help himself.

Focus shifting from these dumb letters onto something worthy of my attention, I watch as she gingerly treads over to the refrigerator.

After the day I’ve had, I rub my jaw and decide to tear off the Band-Aid for both of us. “Let me guess—you saw what happened out in the yard?”

Her head whips to the side, hair flying with the movement. “I did.”

Is she scared of me?That’s all I need.

Exhausted by the prospect, I sigh. “I’m not going to?—”

“He deserved worse,” she growls before I can get the word ‘apologize’ out. “You should have whipped him. See how much he likesthatkind of treatment.” For the first time since that kiss, she stops walking on eggshells around me and it’s a damn fine sight to behold. “You did fire him?”

“I wish it were as easy as that. He’s suspended.”

The bottle in her hand clatters against the marble countertop when she almost drops it. “You can’t let him be around the animals!”

“I know.” I resettle the peas on my knuckles when I make a fist and accidentally dislodge the bag.

She scowls but takes a seat at the table. “So, why didn’t you cut him loose?”

“You remember Bea Hollier?”

“She’s Grantley’s wife.”

---