Page 99 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

Her father’s voice came from behind. “What do you have there, Caroline?”

She looked over her shoulder at him. He was standing in the middle of the room.

Caroline stood up slowly, the keepsake box in one hand and the bag of clothes in the other.

“Just some trinkets,” Caroline said.

“And in the bag?” he said, pointing.

“This? This is leverage against Kyle,” Caroline said. “Did you know he’s been blackmailing Ellie for months? Beating her?”

By the affronted look on his face, she guessed not.

“Well, we’re going to the police station. Ellie told the police yesterday that Gabe assaulted her—Kyle wouldn’t stop hurting her until she agreed. Then he drove her there to make her statement.”

“Why would he go to all the trouble to frame your boyfriend?”

“I don’t know, wounded pride?” Caroline said, unsure herself. “Gabe worked Kyle over a bit when he found out Kyle had come by the apartment and threatened me.”

Her father looked between her and the bag. “When will you be going to the police?”

“Now. Why?” she asked, hating that she was still so suspicious of her own father.

“Because before it’s leaked to the media, I want to cut all ties with the man.”

Caroline laughed bitterly. “Still looking out for the family name?”

Edward Willis hobbled forward. Leaning heavily on his cane, he placed his other hand on her shoulder. “No. I don’t want anyone thinking that I don’t believe you.”

Relief swept through her, and she said, “I’ll be going as soon as I get the rest of the dirt you have on Kyle.”

“I’ll get it now,” her father said, limping out of the room.

For the first time in twelve years, her heart warmed toward her father, but she didn’t have time to dwell on that.

She had some business to take care of.

“BUT ELLIE, YOU came in here yesterday, crying that Gabe Moriarty was the man who hurt you.”

Sam’s slow uptake was getting on Caroline’s last nerve, and she snapped, “Listen to what she’s saying, Sam. Kyle Jenner beat and blackmailed her for months and when she refused to accuse Gabe, he beat her some more. To get him to stop, she accused Gabe, but now, she’s recanting.”

Sam glared at Caroline and then leaned in to whisper to Ellie, “You can tell me if she’s pressuring you into this.”

“Oh, for the love of God! Are you stupid or just being a pain in the ass on purpose?” Caroline shouted.

Sam’s already ruddy face darkened, and his shoulders straightened. “You better watch the way you talk to me, Caroline, or you’ll join your boyfriend.”

Caroline opened her mouth to retort, but Ellie stopped her by saying, “It’s true, Sam. Gabe didn’t hurt me. I hardly know him. Here.”

Ellie pulled out her phone, scrolling through. When she found what she was looking for, she handed it to Sam. “Here is a video of Kyle kicking me. You only see him for a second, but you can hear his voice on the recording.”

Sam seemed uneasy as she hit play.

“You want to say no to me? I’ll teach you what happens to stupid sluts who say no to me.”

The sounds of blows against flesh sickened Caroline, and despite her anger with Ellie, she pulled her baby sister into her arms.

“I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from him,” Caroline whispered.

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