Craig and I may have come to an agreement, however forced, but Tenille didn’t appear to want any part of it. “I’ll meet you to discuss this, but I’m not promising anything will happen soon. I want to make sure Charlie is more settled at school before we do this. She’s been having problems so far this year.”
Charlie had just started her second last year of high school. It was an important year, so it concerned me to hear she was experiencing difficulties. “Okay, we’ll meet tomorrow and talk more about this. The last thing I want is to cause more issues. You’ll guide me on this.”
Her eyes widened at my acceptance of what she said. When they softened a little, I knew I’d made the right step. “Thank you.”
I held her gaze for a moment as I gave her a nod, before looking at Craig again. “I also want to discuss the money that’s missing from your bank account.”
“Jesus, you’re a fucking asshole, aren’t you? I’m beginning to wonder what Tenille ever saw in you. For the fucking record, that money is sorted, and I’m not fucking discussing it with you.”
His voice grew louder as he spoke, and Tenille placed her palm against his chest as she said, “He’s right, Aiden. The money is back in our account and all sorted out, so you don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
I lifted a brow as I glanced between the two of them. “You miraculously found fifty grand?”
Craig stiffened as he continued to glare at me. “Because I know you’re not gonna fucking let this go, I’m doing some extra work for Gibson. He’s paid me in advance.”
I whistled low as I crossed my arms over my chest and planted my feet wide. “Must be some hard-core work, Craig. Tell me, what kind of work does Gibson ask for these days to pay someone that amount of money?” I knew from Sully that Gibson had hired Craig about a year ago to drive trucks for him after Craig lost his job. Driving trucks, however, didn’t earn you fifty grand fast.
Tenille slid out of her husband’s embrace. “Don’t be a prick, Aiden.”
I probably was being a prick, but I gave no shits. I’d watched Craig gamble away their cash for years. I refused to watch any longer. And Tenille needed to see Gibson for the person he truly was. If she thought he’d advance Craig that kind of money out of the goodness of his fucking heart, she lived in fantasyland. And I fucking needed her to understand that fairy tales didn’t exist when Gibson was involved. Maybe then she’d realise the truth of why I left her all those years ago.
I jerked my chin at Craig. “I know what kind of work you used to have to do for Gibson to earn good money. I’m wondering if it’s the same these days.”
Craig swallowed hard, and I knew I was right. Gibson had him getting his hands really fucking filthy for that cash.
“Mum, is dinner nearly ready? I’ve got a stack of homework to do tonight, and I want to get started.”
I spun around to find my daughter watching me warily. The sounds of Tenille and Craig cursing behind me faded away until all that surrounded me and Charlie was silence while we took each other in.
I committed her face to memory—every perfect curve of it—while I tried to ignore the fear rushing at me. Fuck. I needed to get this shit under control. Fast.
Her forehead wrinkled slightly. “You’re the guy from last night. On the front lawn.”
I nodded, unable to form an answer. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and take the fourteen years of hugs I’d missed out on in one go. Wanted to take her pinky in mine like I did when she was a baby. Hell, I wanted to tell her exactly who I was, but I reined in my own desires and upheld my end of the bargain I’d just made. Finally, I managed to grind out, “Yeah.”
Tenille pushed past me and took hold of Charlotte, guiding her out of the kitchen as she murmured something I couldn’t make out.
As I stood staring after them, Craig said, “You need to go now. Come back tomorrow morning at nine, and we’ll talk more.” He shoved my back as he added, “And if you ever fucking say a word to Tenille about the work I do for Gibson, I’ll make sure you never have anything to do with Charlie.”
Every ounce of control I’d worked hard to maintain while in his presence snapped. I turned to him, curled my hand around his neck and rammed him against the pantry door. A storm raged in me as I squeezed his neck. This man had everything that should have been mine. It wasn’t his fault, though, and I needed to remember that. It was my fucking fault. But it didn’t give him the right to threaten me. No one fucking threatened me and got away with it. The only reason he was still standing was because my daughter was somewhere in this house.
“Don’t ever threaten me again,” I snarled. “I’m playing this the way Tenille wants to. For now. But don’t fucking mistake my acceptance for weakness. I am not a weak fucking man, Craig, and I won’t hesitate to show you exactly who I am if I need to. As for Gibson, we both know the level of shit you’re in with him. I just hope you have a fucking clue how to get yourself out of it, because trust me when I tell you, he is not a man to stay involved with.” I knew I’d hit my mark by the way his face whitened and his breathing slowed.
As I exited their home, I wondered just how deep Craig was in with Gibson. From the information Sully had given me over the years, I hadn’t thought they were close. I guessed, though, that a year working for him had drawn Craig closer. And that was how Shane Gibson got blood out of a stone. He sucked you in and gave you everything until the day he started slowly demanding some of it back. He moved with stealth, so that you didn’t even realise what he was doing until it was too late and you were handing your life over to him.
Chapter 5
Hyde
Motherfucker.
I blinked my eyes a few times in an effort to open them, while at the same time reaching for my phone. As the sunlight blinded me, I muttered, “Fuck.”
What fucking time was it anyway? Whoever was calling had better have a good fucking reason for waking me up.
Swiping my phone off the bedside table, I barked, “What?” and immediately regretted it when the headache I’d woken up with intensified
“Late night, brother?” King’s voice boomed through the phone. Fuck, could he talk any fucking louder?