Page 132 of In the Pursuit of Haven
“They tried everything, even threatened to go after you.” His grip on me tightened. “I wouldn’t let that happen, Roxy, you have to believe me. I was through after Haven died. Abby promised she was too the first morning we were at the lighthouse, but… I think she’s scared.”
Did that have to do with whoever pulled Hunter’s strings? I had my suspicions of his identity, but no matter who it was, she believed he’d killed her uncles… but Jessie knew better, didn’t he? Even if he was opening up about everything else, he refused outright to talk aboutthat.
He let out a groan and leaned his head back against the couch. “She promised she wouldn’t go back with them. She’s so naïve. They just want to use her against me.”
“You called them to back off.” I wanted the full story from him.
“I think Hunter liked the idea of making me do all the work, but…” Jessie gave a rueful laugh. “I guess the guy pulling his strings knew better than to trust me.”
“Who is that?”
“Robert,” he whispered.
The blackmailer.
A bottle crashed in the other room, followed by a drunken shout. Jessie’s hands loosened over me. That could only mean one thing. His father was home. The door from his bedroom ripped open.
“What’s this I hear about your sister, Jessie?” Pete glared at us, a ring of sweat staining the front of his gray t-shirt. He wagged his finger at his son. “Where’s Abby?”
“She’s fine.” Jessie tried to stand, but I was on his lap so he scooted me over to find his feet. “You know how she is—she runs her own life. I don’t have much say—”
“Then what good are you?”
Jessie’s breath hissed out. “Look,” he said. “She’ll be okay. I’ve got it taken care of.”
“Uh huh! I know how that goes.” Pete stumbled through the door.
Finn let out a happy bark as he caught sight of us past the old man’s legs. The yellow Labrador squeezed past the drunkard and leaped into Jessie’s arms.
Pete made a sound of disdain. “So stupid… just like when you were a tiny boy. If I have to step in with Abby… I promise you will not be happy.”
Jessie let out a grunt of annoyance. “And how is that? Huh, Dad? She’s an adult now, and yeah, she cares about you! She adores you, even, but that doesn’t mean you’re not chasing her away every chance you get! She’s tired of this life.”
“Thislife!” Pete grasped the side of the table to steady himself. “Everything I’ve done here was for you and your ungrateful sister!Everything I did!”
I braced for more. Jessie had warned me before not to get in the middle of their fights, but I was barely holding myself together here.
Pete kept going. “Stupid! Cowering idiot! Just like when you clung to your mother to save you… as if she cared about you at all!”
Jessie stiffened with fury.
“What do you know?” I shouted out before I could stop myself. “Jessie’s done everything he could for Abby. He’s been amazing!”
Pete turned to me with a roar, “You’re not a part of this! Haven’s little plaything… you’re not welcome here!”
My heart skipped at the violence his voice promised. Jessie’s shoulder pushed between us to protect me. “We were just going.” His hand went to Finn’s collar. I rushed to find Stu. The cat had to be around here somewhere.
“And that’s it, huh?” Pete said. “You think you can just walk away from all this with—with Haven’s little plaything… and now she’s yours!” His voice rose to a fevered pitch. “That was the only thing I barred you from doing your whole miserable, worthless life, but what do you know? Nothing! We made a deal—Haven and I—but I got the last laugh. Ha ha ha!” He spat out.
That mysterious deal again! “Why would Haven have anything to do with you?” I asked. “Huh?”
“The old girl didn’t want anyone to know where she got that baby,” Pete’s scathing tone stung me with its vehemence. His eyes traveled over me like I was trailer trash.
I froze. This was important; every part of me sensed it. Was my mother Matthew and Haven’s love child? What if I was related to Jessie? “Where did I come from?” I whispered.
“Your grandfather deserved what he got,” Pete declared with a firm nod. “He did.”
Jessie rolled his eyes, his hands going from Finn to me. “He’s trying to get to you. Let’s go.”
