Chapter 61

61

He’d kissed her.

That crazy man who looked a little like Fletcher and a little like Martin had kissed her. Abby had almost gagged. He’d asked her all sorts of questions as he drove her to wherever he had taken her. It wasn’t far from the inn, she didn’t think. But where they were now—when she’d seen…as he’d pulled in…

It had horrified her.

This was what had become of her family’s place? What her father had lost? Her maternal grandparents had built this place. Made a home for their family here, and her father had lost it. She loved her father and had forgiven him but this…

“Why did you bring me here ?”

“Honey, this is where you and me are going to raise the young-uns. I do like makin’ young-uns. Thought everyone in town knew that by now. I would seriously prefer Talley’s girl, Dylan—I like smaller women and all—but I heard she’s with my nephew now. And, well, a Tyler doesn’t poach. I don’t think. Been a while since I’ve been a Tyler and everything, you know.”

This was him. The bad Tyler everyone talked about. Bruce.

She knew about him and his daughters. What everyone was saying he had done to Junie and the rest. She bit back the bile. Was he going to hurt her, to rape her, to get back at her brother?

This was all Will’s fault.

“Don’t worry, precious. It’ll all be clear once your brother gets here. But first, you are going to tell me all about your boyfriend. Tell me all about Desmond. Inquiring minds want to know. I’ve been looking for that boy. He and I need to have a conversation …”

“I haven’t seen Desmond in months. We broke up, long before his father was arrested. I don’t know where he is. I swear.”

“See, I’m not so sure I believe you. So we’re going to ask a friend of mine. See if he can get you to tell the truth.”

“What do you mean?”

He yanked her up the steps that sagged and inside.

To the living room she remembered playing in at her mother’s feet so long ago. Abby recoiled in horror once they were inside.

“Daddy!”

Her father and his friend old Mr. Rutherford were there. Their hands were bound, and they had blood on their faces. Where someone had hit them. They were just old men. Why had he done that? How could he be so cruel?

Abby ran to her father’s side. “You monster! Why did you do this?”

“Well, now, I am a man on a mission. And they are the enemy. So, let’s get started.”

Bruce Tyler wrapped his hand around the back of Abby’s neck and squeezed. Until she didn’t think she’d be able to move ever again. She squealed. He just laughed and did it again. Until she went down on her knees in front of her father.

“Please,” her dad said. “Please don’t hurt her, Bruce. She didn’t know anything about any of it.”

“Now, why should I believe you? You have been in Morris Preston’s bed for thirty years, Earl. Thirty years. And then this little slut got right in bed with his pissant boy, Dizzy Dezzy. It’s time for some answers. As soon as a few of my friends get here. We’re going to get started. I can’t wait.”

What was Abby supposed to do now?

“Daddy, what do we do ?”