Page 18 of Clean Slade
“In a minute,” I said. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing much. Your daughter is threatening people and teaching Mr. Rogers about Baby Groot and Rocket Raccoon.”
I looked at Slade, my chest filling with air and heat, and it took all my resolve to not let it show.
He remembers me. He remembers me. He remembers me!
The little voice in my head wouldn’t shut up about it.
“She’s doing what?”
“I just said their boat would sink if they didn’t sign. It’s rude to leave a guestbook unsigned,” Mac said in a whiny, defensive tone.
I stared at my daughter and frowned.
Some days I wondered how much of me and my father she’d inherited.
“Don’t threaten people, Mac. That’s not nice.”
“But they were going to leave—”
“Mackenzie Ann Moore!”
Was this really the time to be telling off my daughter about an innocent comment? I needed her on my side, especially after what I was about to put her through.
“It’s fine. Just…please don’t do that,” I told her. “Did you eat your breakfast?”
She shook her head, and I bit back a sigh. That girl couldn’t follow instructions to save her life sometimes.
“Stay here. I’ll go make you something.”
Slade followed me into the kitchen and watched me pour cereal into a bowl.
Don’t mention Rex. Don’t mention Rex. Don’t mention Rex.
“You said you’re going?”
I almost breathed out in relief, but I held back.
“We can’t stay here. I need to disappear.”
“I spoke to Wyatt. We all think it’s best if we lay low for the time being. The FBI will be all over this island. Tony wouldn’t dare do anything while they’re here.Ifhe’s here.”
Wasn’t that the if of the century.
There was no other way. If his men were here, he was close.
I’d betrayed him. Betrayed the family. He’d killed Annie for far less.
“Well, then now’s the best time to leave.”
I opened the drawers in pursuit of a spoon, and when I tried to take the bowl to Mac, Slade stood in my way with bright, inquisitive eyes that had no right looking so cute.
“What?”
“You said you’ve built a life here. Why give it up if you don’t have to?”
“Because the only way my father…in-law will leave me alone is if he’s killed me.” I almost slipped there.
