“When the marriage was arranged between Livy’s mother and Henry Cambridge’s son, their finances were crumbling. It was the reason why the wedding to Lily was so beneficial to them. But they hid it very well. I could never prove it, but I believe Henry Cambridge has a gambling problem.”

My father’s statement was a surprise. Henry Cambridge didn’t strike me as a gambling type but it would make sense why he needed the money. And a lot of it, judging by how much he had stolen from us and the amount of the life insurance policies he’d taken out on Layla and her mother.

“Daniel, would you be able to find out anything about this new twist?” He had some shady connections that would get a lot more information than going the legal route. “We were focused on gathering evidence on his embezzlement but not his reasons behind it. We may need that to build a stronger case against him.”

He nodded and was already typing a message to someone on his phone.

“He’s still scheduled to be picked up by police on Monday?” Daniel questioned.

I nodded.

“I just want to live long enough to see that bastard pay,” my father muttered. Yes, he lived for vengeance. What would he live for once Henry Cambridge was put behind bars? “Thank you for making it happen.”

It was no use to point out to him that Henry really did it to himself. I just let it go.

“Livy, there is something else too,” I started. “But you cannot say anything to Layla. The only reason I am telling you this is because she will need you when it comes out.”

Liberty visibly tensed.

“Layla’s mother is alive.” Once the bombshell dropped, confusion reflected on her face.

“No, she died in a car accident.”

I shook my head. “No, she didn’t. She is alive and well, in Southern France. I think she’s the one blackmailing her.”

“You knew she was being blackmailed, didn’t you?” She leveled a glare at me but I let it go. “How did she survive without anyone knowing? And why blackmail Layla? Poor Layla, even her own mother fucked her over.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know how, but clearly she is a greedy bitch.”

“Ugh, can we kill her? Technically she’s already dead. We could get away with it, right?” Her eyes locked on her husband. “And her grandparents too?”

Alexander patted her hand. “We can’t be going to prison. We are having babies. And those are your grandparents too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Just a minor detail, and theoretically, I never met them so they don’t count.” She grinned and looked to me for support. “Right, Maxim?”

“Whatever you want, sister.” I turned to my best friend and my father. “What do you think, Daniel? Dad?” My father just shook his head while Daniel nodded.

“I agree,” Daniel retorted. “I could make that happen.”

He was serious too. Livy beamed at that idea while Alexander scolded her. “I never realized you were so bloodthirsty.”

“Too late now. You are stuck with me.” She didn’t seem not a bit perturbed. “And with my sister. We stick together.”

Fuck, I wanted that too. I turned my attention back to Daniel and my father, but not before I saw Alexander nuzzle his wife’s neck and murmur softly to her. “Always, wife. Always.”

“I have stuff to take care of,” I told them both. “Daniel, you’ll let me know if you hear anything?”

“You know it, buddy.”

Livy scoffed loudly. “Is nobody staying for lunch?”

“I am.” Daniel opened a construction company in Russia and needed some advice from my brother. It meant that Livy was probably on her own with my father. Those two had a good relationship so it shouldn’t be a problem. Grandfather would join them soon too. He was flying in from Scotland this afternoon.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Layla

That was not how I expected my lunch to go. I knew the next time I spoke to my sister, she’d grill me about the note she’d read. But how do you explain it without divulging what happened all those years ago? That I drove a car while under the influence, killing my mother and Brian. Although to this day I couldn’t remember taking drugs that night. Nor did I remember driving. Yes, I knew how to drive, but I never drove. Never! The details of that night were still hazy but I knew I wasn’t into drinking or drugs. Not with Brian. He played sports and always ensured we had healthy and fun dates. He was the first human being that actually cared about me. I wouldn’t have jeopardized that.