Page 114 of My Favorite Secret
“I’ll attend Westbridge,” I announce.
Dad returns to his seat. “What do you know, you do have some intelligence.” Fucking prick. “These two officers will escort you to Westbridge.”
“I need to say goodbye to Harper.”
“No. You’re to leave immediately. There will be no personal items coming with you. No goodbyes. You’re pushing your luck enough to get this deal.”
Fuck.
Harper.
I turn to Tyler. The remorse in his eyes guts me.
“It will be okay.” My voice is steadier than I feel as I pull him into a hug. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Take care of Harper while I’m gone. Killian and Dan too.”
“I will. I promise.”
I don’t doubt it. He’s my brother and I trust him with my life.
I know, no matter what, he’ll take care of our girl and brothers.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
TYLER
I’m sick to the pit of my stomach as the cops lead Felix out of this office, taking him to some fucked up reform school he doesn’t belong in. Ihatethat our father is forcing Westbridge upon him. But all that truly matters is Felix avoids prison. I’ll do exactly as he asked of me. I’ll take care of our brothers, and especially Harper.
Once Felix is gone, I make a move for the door, needing to return to Harper, but my father places a hand on my shoulder.
His voice lowers, urging me. There’s something fearful within him. “You don’t speak a word of what happened in this room to anyone. Understand?”
“Yes. Of course.” I shrug his hand off, frustrated with him, and continue for the door.
“Tyler,noonecan know Felix killed Paul. Not your brothers. Especially not Harper.”
I pause, my insides turning cold as I spin to face him. “But they’re family. Harper?—”
“Son.” The word is soft. He holds both my shoulders, looking directly into my eyes to reason with me. “I don’tknow what’s going on between you, Felix, and Harper, but after hearing the way your brother spoke about her tonight, it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. I know you trust her. But do you understand the severity of this secret leaking to the public?”
“She wouldn’t leak information. Neither would Dan and Killian.”
“All it takes is for someone to overhear a conversation or for them to confide in the wrong person,” he stresses. “The second someone else knows, it’s one more mouth that could slip. One more variable we can’t control. I’ve paid the right people to bury the evidence. But not every cop can be bought. If this leaks, money won’t protect Felix for long. While we’re on the topic of Harper, I know she hasn’t reported Paul’s attack. Make sure it stays that way. Her statement would conflict with the cover story. It will give more people a reason to dig deeper. That’s the last thing we need.”
I shake my head, astounded by everything he’s expecting of me. What am I supposed to tell Harper about Felix’s disappearance? Without the truth, she’ll be heartbroken when discovering he’s gone. “Dad?—”
“No, son.” The look in his eyes grows more dire. His words become more desperate. “Let me explain how crucial it is that you remain quiet. This isn’t just about trusting Harper, Killian, and Dan to keep a secret. We’re covering up a murder. That’s a crime. If you bring Harper and your brothers into this, you’ll be incriminating them.”
Shit. He’s right.
“Donotlet Harper report the attack. If this investigation spreads beyond the few police I can control, I have no doubt Harper and your brothers will be questioned then forced to lie to protect Felix. Lying about a crime is acriminal offense. Not only that, if this cover-up gets leaked, we’llallbe in the firing line. We could all face time behind bars.”
My heart sinks with dread as the gravity of our situation hits. All the responsibility he’s dumping on me. Bile rises in my throat. It feels like I have shackles around my wrists, chained to me for life, tainting me with a secret I want no part of.
“You care about Harper and your brothers? Protect them by leaving them out of this. Don’t make Harper carry a burden that could ruin her future. She doesn’t deserve that.”
I glare at my father, shoving his hands away. Frustrated.Furiousat the position he’s placing me in, asking me to lie to Harper. He stumbles back from the force of my outburst.
“Fuck!” I shout, pacing the office.
