Page 85 of His to Possess

“Oh, I don’t think you have the balls to do something a heinous as committing the vicious crimes, although I do believe you’re a monster.” I laughed bitterly as shame, guilt, and anger mixed with adrenaline. I was sick at heart and mind but seeing the look on his face meant I’d been right, at least to some degree. “Why, Father? Why would you allow people who supported you for years to be killed? Murdered. They were ripped apart.”

“What? No, I…” He faltered, stumbling against the front of his desk.

“Your buddy Captain Walters didn’t explain to you that the case I was working involved the victims of this scheme you have going on?” I shook my head.

“You don’t have any right to talk to me that way. I’ve done nothing wrong. Nothing!”

I yanked the picture from my pocket, unfolding and shoving it in his face. “Does she look familiar, Father? She was someone who believed in you once. She even supplied one of the first loans you had, vowing to support your endeavors. What happened, Father? Did she balk at your latest project? Did she tell you that you were wrong so you had her killed?” I felt a level of rage that I hadn’t in years, my entire system flushed as heat wrapped around every tendon and muscle.

He looked away, his mouth moving but no sound coming out.

“Look at it, Father! Her name was Darcie Miller. She had a family including four grandchildren.” When he remained like a damn statue, I rounded the desk, throwing the photograph into his face. “Look. At. It.” I almost didn’t recognize my own voice, the husky tone ravaged by sadness and fury.

“I had… nothing to do with that. Nothing. I swear to you!”

“Oh, yeah?” I rubbed my shaking hand through my hair. “Another murder occurred last night, Father. This time, the girl was someone who doesn’t work for you, but her father does. In fact, he’s on your board of directors.”

“What?”

“Sara Miller was murdered, her body dragged to Roselake of all places. You do remember Robert Miller, I assume?”

“Robert?” He faltered, blinking several times. “Sara was… killed?”

I realized at that moment that my father had no knowledge of the murders, at least not in the way I’d expected. “The other two victims were also a part of your organization.”

“Why?” He moved to one of the chairs, barely making it onto the seat without falling.

“That’s why I’m here. What the hell is really going on?” I sat on the edge of his desk, trying to calm my emotions.

“It’s not what you think. I promise you that. The bastard.”

“What bastard, Father? What are you talking about?”

“The one blackmailing me as well as others!” he snapped, his breaths so scattered and his face reddened to the point I was fearful he was having a heart attack.

Whoa. This I hadn’t expected.

“Then talk to me.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand. He has a hold over us. You just don’t understand. I didn’t believe it either. How could some… creature do this?”

“A creature?” I shrank back, holding my breath. I allowed my mind to shift to what little I’d learned. “What kind of creature?”

“The kind nightmares are made of.” He jerked up from the chair, fighting to get to his bar. He poured a half glass of whiskey, downing the entire amount within thirty seconds. When he wiped his mouth, I heard the whimper slipping from his throat. “I had no choice, but I didn’t believe.”

“You didn’t believe. That the murders are ones you’re responsible for?”

“No. I didn’t do it! I had nothing to do with those murders. I did everything I could to fight him. I tried. You have no idea how hard I tried.”

“Who? What are we talking about here?” I demanded.

He shook his head several times, pouring another glass of liquor. “You won’t believe me. Hell, I don’t believe it myself. It couldn’t be. It just… couldn’t be. He’s close. Too close. He knew things. He learned things. He…”

“Try me, Father. I’m open to just about anything.”

He took his time, gulping for air. “A wolf. A murderous, monstrous wolf.”

For some reason, I was shot into vivid images of everything from the murder scenes to the ugly moment in the forest. Then I saw Max’s face, could hear his words. They healed quickly. They had extraordinary senses. The bruises on Zane’s hand. The fact Max had been punched by the asshole chasing me. Oh. God. “Where is Celia?”

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