Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Beau caused me to tune into the words being spoken. I’d have to double back to listen more closely when I had time. All I managed to hear was Collin, the brother closest to my age, coming to the microphone, introducing himself.
“We’re certain these false claims are nothing more than a shakedown. To prove to the world that Richmond Holdings has nothing to hide, I’m personally authorizing Stuart Intelligence, an independent investigation company, to conduct a thorough internal review of every allegation alleged against us. We will prevail.”
Stuart? Until right that moment, I believed Stuart Intelligence was an integrity-driven international investigation company. I didn’t believe they could be bought. Perhaps, I was wrong.
“Fuck, these people. Thank God, I never had to know them,” Beau barked at the screen. At the same time, the doorbell rang. We both glanced in that direction. Seconds later, Amelia was banging on our bedroom door.
“Dasham, the authorities are at our front door. They can see me right now through the windows. Do I answer?” she called, fearfully.
“You know, they’ve been fuckin’ waitin’ to show up,” Beau barked, pushing off the mattress and heading toward the door. “I assume they’ve been called by the man who still owns the biggest hotel in the area to question the safety of my children, due to my sexuality, and our livin’ conditions. Not any real harm happenin’ to them.”
Thanks to Beau’s insistence, all our ducks were in a row. We were a legal family, but my father was connected in Texas, boundaries could easily be blurred.
“I sent the children to your mom’s house,” Amelia said when Beau popped open the door. “They’re through the fence line.” Her voice was shaky, her face paling. I followed Beau out, seeing a police cruiser and sedan parked in front of the house.
“This is only for show, Amelia,” I said. “They’re trying to make me out to be the bad guy, so I’ll drop the case.”
“I want to drop your father,” Beau murmured, harshly.
“Go to Linda’s house,” I said to Amelia. “Take the dogs with you. Beau, let me handle it. Stay quiet. They don’t need to see your anger.”
Two armed police officers stood behind a lady in a suit. I recognized her from court, a child protection service agent.
“What could you possibly want?” Beau asked angrily, swinging the door open wide.
“Beau, let me handle it,” I said sternly, stepping in front of him, speaking to the woman. “I expected you. Perhaps not this soon, but I knew I’d be hearing from you. Would you like to come inside to talk?”
“Come in?” Beau hissed behind me. “Of course, they’re not comin’ in.”
“Beau,” I said, my chin tilting over my shoulder, talking firmly to him. “This is nothing more than a formality. I did make them aware of the class suit, and a possible retaliation call. Go calm down. No one is questioning our parenting. When you’re yourself, come back. Until then, I’ll handle this.”
I used my body to cut him off from the others, swinging an arm out to invite the three inside.
“Since we were first together, his father has done everything to destroy Dash…”
Omigod, he had to stop. I swung around, my palms landing on his chest, and pushed. My gaze pleaded with him. “Seriously, go to Scott’s. I’ll handle this. Keep your phone on.”
Beau glanced down at me, then past me to the agent before rolling his eyes and heading toward the back door. “I’ll be on the porch if you need me.”
“Perfect,” I murmured, exhaling slowly. As much as I hated to admit it, I could already see a full CPS investigation looming on the horizon. We had nothing to hide, but even the process could be damaging if spun the wrong way.
Turning back to the trio, I forced a polite smile. Inside, I was fighting an internal battle, every nerve ending in my body screaming to stay sharp.
This wasn’t about me or my family. We were in a battle of right versus wrong, good versus evil.
I led the three into the living room, my mind already mapping the conversation. Calm, measured, and cooperative. Every word, every gesture, had to serve the bigger picture. We couldn’t let my father’s theatrics derail the truth. Yes, I misjudged how fast things would deteriorate, but I was caught up now.
I squared my shoulders, ready for the fight of my life.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
24: The Shred
Beau/Dash
“Paw, this must be serious. Everyone’s at the table at once, and there’s no food, or drinks,” Ava quipped from her usual spot at the kitchen table. Her legs swung back and forth beneath her chair, the rhythmic motion a sign of her restless energy. “Lay it on us.”
I hesitated but met her gaze. My firebrand of a daughter who, of all the children, needed to absorb this warning the most. She had to learn to control her outbursts starting right now.