The set of Hayes’ jaw tightened. “And you said?”
“That I wasn’t doing anything wrong.” Addie glanced up at me and then back at Hayes. “But he knew where I was living and that Beckett had moved in. He was upset that I was living with a man. He said something about lighting a match and seeing what burned.”
Tears filled Addie’s eyes, spilling over and tracking down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. He did this. It has to be him. I don’t know why he’s like this. I’ve never known him not to be full of hate.” She looked up at me. “How does that happen?”
I pulled her tighter against me, ghosting my lips over her hair. “I don’t know. But you can’t let his hate drown out your light.”
“I’m so tired.”
“I know you are. You need to let some of us take the load for you for a little while.”
Addie had been carrying so much for so long. That weight would kill her if she didn’t shed some of it. I’d like to be able to bury the weight of her father for her, but I knew that was easier said than done.
I glanced at my brother, who eyed us curiously. “Might be worth talking to Brandon, too. He hasn’t exactly been happy with me lately, and we had a little run-in with him and Allen at The Post today.”
Hayes’ brows pulled together. “What were you doing out there?”
I fought the urge to fidget. “I talked Aid International into backing a community health program here. I’m going to have a stall at the market out there twice a month.”
Hadley beamed at me. “That’s a wonderful idea. You know I’d be happy to help.”
I glanced from her to the husband wrapped around her. “Don’t you think you’ve got enough going on?”
“I always have time to help when it’s important.”
Calder dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “Hads is right. We’ll all help—however we can. I still keep up with my EMT training, so I can help, too.”
God, I’d forgotten what it was like to be with family. The way they always jumped in to help no matter what was going on in their lives. Even though I’d abandoned them all when they’d needed me the most, they were still here, ready to help.
I swallowed the emotion clogging my throat. “Thank you.”
Addie’s hand traced circles on my stomach as if sensing I needed her soothing touch. “Are you going to talk to my father?”
Hayes gave her a sympathetic look. “I have to.”
She nodded slowly. “It’s going to make everything so much worse.”
“Maybe not,” Hayes said. “It could be enough to get him to back off. Give him a little scare.”
“He doesn’t get scared. He gets mad. Then he gets vindictive.”
Addie’s words had rage heating my bloodstream.
She gave her head a little shake. “You might want to talk to a man named Walter Crichet to cover all your bases. I don’t know where he lives, though.”
I squeezed her shoulders, knowing letting Hayes in on this piece of things was difficult for her.
Hayes typed the name into his phone. “Who is Walter Crichet?”
Addie twisted her fingers in her lap. “An old friend of my father’s that he used to threaten me with. He would say he was going to marry me off to him or another of his friends. I had a run-in with Walter outside The Gallery the other day. Apparently, he was under the impression that I was his property.” Her knuckles bleached white, her voice going soft. “They always think I’m their property.”
I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “You belong to yourself and no one else.”
Addie’s head tipped back so she could meet my eyes. Hers were filled with unshed tears. “I want that more than anything.”
“It’s already happening.”
Hayes cleared his throat. “Did this man threaten you? Assault you in any way?”