Page 115 of Stella
“You too.”
I hang up. When I turn, all eyes are on me.
25
STELLA
“I had nothin’to do with that,” Cash says, his eyes fierce. “If anyone is to blame for Lauren’s death, it’s that asshole brother of mine! It wouldn’t surprise me if he had somethin’ to do with it because he was a lowlife piece of shit!”
He’s taking this surprisingly well after learning that Cale is his son. I’m still reeling myself, fitting all the pieces together as the chips fall.
“Well, I’ve got intel that they’re reopening the case,” Cale says. “And guess who’s their prime suspect?”
Everyone turns to look at Cash. “You can’t be serious?” I blurt.
“I wouldn’t joke about this. Willow had Sawyer break into the system.” Cale clearly doesn’t give a fuck anymore. The truth will come out anyway through Willow, despite what she says, Haze will get to her. “I had no idea because everything to do with my mom — and anyone the club has dealt with — is now buried. You need to watch your back, or disappear until this mess settles.”
Cash stares at Cale and says; “How long do I have?”
“I don’t honestly know, but they’re building a case,” Cale replies.
“Names?”
Cale sighs. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”
“But you are, because we’re blood, and no matter what you think of me, nothin’s gonna change that,” Cash states.
“Days, weeks, I’m not sure, but Seymour Montgomery signed off on it.” Cale shifts from one foot to the other, looking uncomfortable. “There are others involved, men I trusted. This came from higher up, because we all know Montgomery tends to jump when the mayor or the city council shout ‘how high’.”
Before he even answers, Deanna comes into the room holding Caprice. “Cash, what’s going on?”
“Here,” Indigo says quietly in the doorway behind her. “Let me take her.”
Deanna hands her daughter over, then walks toward her husband. “Cash?”
He runs both hands through his hair. “A lot, babe.”
“In a nutshell.Please.”
“Well, in the last hour I’ve learned I’m being framed for Lauren’s murder; they’re reopening the case after twenty-five plus years. Stella and Cale have been sneaking around behind our backs, oh, and I just found out Cale is my kid because I slept with Lauren before she left me for Razor — after she told me the kid was his — and then she lost it.” He rubs his temples as the room goes silent. “All the lies she told, the secrets she took to the grave, they’re all comin’ back, D.”
Deanna gapes at him. “What the fuck?” she sputters. She turns to look at Cale with a frown. “Is this true?”
Cale swallows hard. “All of it.”
“You’re Cash’s son?”
“I did the DNA test myself when I got a tipoff,” he says. “I had a hunch my dad was Razor because a little while ago I heard my mom used to hang with the Devils Ink MC. I had no idea shewas Cash’s ol’ lady before that until I found a photo in an old newspaper article.”
Deanna narrows her eyes hearingthatname. “Holy shit.”
“All of you get out,” Cash barks. “Except D and Cale.”
“I’m staying!” I cling to Cale. “Anything you say to him, you can say in front of me.”
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” I hear Tag mutter.
Cash glares at me. “You can kiss your prospectin’ patch goodbye, young lady.”
