Chapter 18

Phoenix

Ihead downstairs while McKenzie dries her hair. Phillip has gone home, but he left a note saying the food is in the oven warming and to not forget to turn the oven off. I grab a tumbler for me and a wineglass for Kenz. I pour myself some bourbon and some wine for Kenz. We both need it.

I take a sip from my glass and lean against the counter. The signs have been there the whole time that my mother was not a good person. I wanted her to be something she wasn't. So, I latched onto the idea that Marcus was the villain in my story. I rub my hand down my face.

I'm so pissed at my dad. He's lied to me for years. He allowed me to buy McKenzie as revenge against her father. He has no idea the feelings I developed for her over the years; I kept that to myself. Anytime I talked to him, I always made it seem to be part of my grand plan. If he had told me back then he had nothing to do with my mother disappearing, I still would have bought McKenzie.

Which brings up the next question. Why did he sell her? Why was he concerned for her safety? I was able to push him out of the council within a year of buying McKenzie, but he didn't fight too hard to stay. I think back to the last conversation I had with him.

We had words because I was convinced he took her the first time. He never denied it, but he said one day I'd find out the truth and he told me I better take care of his daughter and that was the last time we ever spoke. He still comes to auctions once or twice a year, but he keeps his distance. I exhale sharply and turn around to face the counter, placing my palms down to lean against it. I hang my head, trying to think back through every scenario with him.

He knew what I thought of him, and he knew why. Why didn't he correct me? Why didn't he try to defend himself?

Small hands rub from my shoulders down my back and around my waist. Kenz places her cheek on my back and holds me tight from behind. "Nix?" she whispers.

"Your father knew I thought he took my mother. He never denied it. Why?" Kenz doesn't answer right away.

"I don't know."

I turn around in her arms and wrap mine around her, holding her close. She looks up at me and she raises one shoulder.

"I made sure you and I were in every class back at Brighton." I've never told her this, but like she said, it's time we're honest with each other. "Our senior year I was only in two of your classes, so I went to the dean and made sure he changed it. He was new."

She nods. "I remember."

"You remember?"

She bobs her head. "I remember the dean being new, but I didn't know you did that with our classes. Why?"

I rub my thumb along her throat. "I've been obsessed with you from the very first day I saw you." She leans back slightly, like she can't believe it. I shake my head and kiss her forehead. "So oblivious," I whisper against her skin. "I found out your father helped Dick get a job there."

She snorts. "Dick?"

"That's what I called the dean. It's short for Richard." She laughs, and it eases the tightness in my chest. "I was pissed I didn't know." I take a deep breath. "My mother's family started Brighton Academy. Alexander Brighton, my great grandfather, was the founder. My mother was supposed to be the dean, but she disappeared before that could happen."

McKenzie's mouth is open in surprise. "How did I not know that? Did I forget?" she asks. A sharp pain lodges in my chest.

"No, love. I've never told you that before."

She swallows and steps back. She grabs the glass of wine and takes two big gulps before setting it back down. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know. Things are different now. Things have been different since I got you back this last time. After the first time, we had chemistry, we experimented, but you were always on guard. You wouldn't allow yourself to fall in love with me. And who could blame you when I was never completely honest with you?"

She walks away, but turns back around to face me. "But I did."

"What do you mean?" I take a step toward her.

"I did love you. The memory I told you about. I asked you if I was taken from the house and you said I wasn't, but I was." I shake my head before she finishes. "Yes, I was!" She stomps her foot, getting frustrated with me.

"You weren't home when you were taken."

She growls at me. "I know what I remembered. Your mom told me if I didn't come with her she'd kill me, but first she would kill you and she'd make me watch. So, I went with her because the thought of something happening to you made me physically ill. And she said she knew I loved you. She had a boat at your dock and I got in."

My mouth opens and closes, remembering back to the day she was taken. We went down to River Street, but I had to go into the office. She said she'd go to some of the shops. Even though they were tourist traps, she always loved them. Rex stayed with me, and one of my other men stayed with her. I ball my hands into fists.

"Do you remember anything else?"

Her eyes become glossy as she shakes her head. "I wish I did, but I don't remember what happened before that or after that. The only thing I've remembered is what I told you earlier."

I sigh and step forward, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck and pull her into my chest. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you. When you remember more, tell me so we can piece all this together." She sniffs and nods.

"I hate this, Nix. I hate not knowing everything. Missing these big gaps is so frustrating." She stumbles over her words. "I don't even know how to explain what it feels like. Like a part of me is missing." I hold her tighter. "What if I don't get all my memories back?"

"I'm going to call Dr. Pearl tomorrow." She stiffens against me. "I'll have Rex run another background check on her and follow her for a few weeks, then I'll call her." She relaxes against me again.

"I want to kill Dr. Chamberland," she murmurs against my chest.

"We'll do it together," I promise her. I don't know if she's kidding or not, but I'm serious. He's a dead man walking and has no idea. I pull back and kiss her softly. "Let's eat."

"Okay," she whispers. I grab an oven mitt and pull the food out of the oven. I place the plate in front of her.

"Don't touch," I warn her.

She gives me a soft smile as I place my plate down as well. Turning the oven off, I sit next to her and we dig into the food. It's some kind of chicken and broccoli casserole. McKenzie hums, doing a small dance in her seat. I chuckle.

"I don't think I've had anything that Phillip has cooked that hasn't been delicious," she says before she takes another bite of food. She moans and my cock twitches slightly. Jesus, this woman. "I still think my favorite is his pancakes, though."

I shake my head at her as I take another bite. "One of my restaurants on River Street has this salad that's your favorite." I smile as I remember the number of times she would call me and beg me to bring her one home and Phillip would fuss at her, telling her he was there and could make her one.

"Really? Can you take me to try it again?"

"We'll go tomorrow," I tell her.

She glances at me. "Tomorrow?"

"There's a fight tomorrow night. We're going. Then we're going to kill Dr. Chamberland."