CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

By the time Charles made it to the koi pond on the backside of his property, Brent had lit up and was smoking a cigarette, something he rarely did except when he was extremely stressed.

But Charles would have none of it. As soon as he walked up and saw what Brent was doing, he snatched that cigarette out of his mouth and threw it in the pond. “What do you think you’re doing? Killing yourself with those cancer sticks? Punching your own baby brother. What’s wrong with you?”

That quiet, tough-as-nails shell that often defined Brent’s brooding, sometimes melancholy personality was on full display.

“Donnie was out of line talking about your marriage the way he did,” Charles continued. “He’s just a hothead doing what Donnie does. He never wants anybody to get anything over on him. He’s just like every one of my seven children, except for maybe Tony. And you all got it from me. But Donald’s no liar. You know it and I know it. So don’t you dare act as if he was making that shit up.”

“MaKayla’s in trouble, Pop.”

When Brent said those words so heartfelt, Charles’s heart dropped. He stared at Brent. “What are you not telling me?”

Brent looked down and then up and then he leaned his head back.

“Tell me, Brenton.”

“I found something, evidence, in the hotel room where Alvin Clayton was murdered.”

Charles braced himself. “What did you find?”

“MaKayla’s panties on the side of the bed.”

Charles was shocked. “Her panties ? You mean a pair of panties that could have been hers?”

“They were hers, Pop. She didn’t have any on when the police arrived. I purchased them for her. They were hers.”

Charles leaned his head back too. Then he ran his hands through his hair and looked at his son. “What did you do with this evidence?”

“I hid it until she was able to put them back on.”

“But how did they get in that bedroom? I thought she said she never went back there.”

“That’s what she said. She said she was attacked up front and then drugged. All she remembers after passing out is waking up on the sofa.”

“But what got to me,” said Charles, “was when Reno said Darren wouldn’t admit to his lies even with a gun pointed at his dick. That got to me. And Donnie saying he saw Kayla with his own two eyes all hugged up with that judge just as many people were saying in this town. And now you tell me about these underwear.”

Brent looked at his father. “What are you saying?”

“It’s adding up.”

Brent frowned. “What’s adding up?”

“I love MaKayla, you know I do. But at some point we have got to face the truth.”

“And what is that, Pop?”

“What it always has been, son. Kayla’s saying a lot. But a lot’s being said too.”

Brent stared at his father. “You calling her a liar?”

“I’m calling it like I see it. And I’m telling you whether you want to hear it or not: shit’s adding up!”

“Okay fine.”

Charles frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t want my wife’s shit to add up and blow back on you. That’s what it means!” he said angrily, and headed back toward the house.

Brent’s rage was still bubbling when he entered the house and without saying a word made his way first to the kitchen area and then to the living room area and then to his father’s home office where Gemma and MaKayla, lawyer and client, were having a confab.

“Let’s go, MaKayla,” Brent said to her and MaKayla, seeing that look in his eyes, didn’t hesitate. She got up, took his hand, and they left.