Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tess
“What the hell kind of person would I have to be to do that?” I blurt, more to myself than anyone else. Emotion, like a battering ram, pummels against my chest and rises like bile in my throat.
“A spoiled brat who thinks of nothing and no one but herself. I know women like you. Out for number one at whatever the cost.”
My gut sinks.
Mack’s mouth twists in an angry frown before he speaks again. “He almost let Reece sleep in the playhouse last night. He would’ve left her there to sleep when he heard you scream and…” He swallows hard, before narrowing his eyes. “I can’t even go there.”
“I wouldn’t do this. I’m not a monster.”
Mack huffs, rolling his eyes. “Honestly, I came over her to give you hell, but now I only want to get Reece, and to tell you to stay the hell away from him. The cops can deal with you.”
“I don’t know who set the fire, Mack, but I would never do something like this.” I’m distraught, and even though I don’t need him to believe me, I defend myself. I’ve never cared all that much what people thought of me. Like me, don’t like me, I’ll live either way. But as I stand here I do care. Because this is my home. This is my place in the world. And no matter what happens today, I’m not leaving it. I wasn’t in my right mind when I thought I could leave before.
I can’t. And I won’t.
“Bullshit.” Mack shakes his head, his jaw ticking as if he has a lot more to say but holds it back as he sees Reece come into the room with Paige.
“Hi, Uncle Mack! We were just about to make cookies for you and Daddy.”
He scoops her up. “Maybe you could do that later, pumpkin. Your dad asked me to bring you back. He misses you.”
Her smile is wide, but then she looks at us. “I’m sorry Tess, but Daddy needs me. Can we make cookies some other time?”
“Of course, honey. I made some a few days ago, they’re in the tin on the counter. Why don’t you bring them with you? I’m sure your dad is hungry. And I ate way too many already.” I puff out my cheeks and put a finger over my lips and groan.
She laughs. “You must be so nauseated!” She wiggles out of Mack’s arms and runs to the kitchen.
“Grab them and head back to your dad, I’ll catch up,” Mack says with a smile that looks rusty from lack of use.
As soon as she’s gone, I speak. “Check the cameras. You’ll see it wasn’t me.” I hear the scape of a chair being moved, probably so Reece can reach the counter and my heart warms despite the accusations and my hurt over Case’s betrayal. That’s not Reece’s fault and she’s the sweetest kid.
“Can’t, but you know that, don’t you?”
My brow furrows as my gaze swings to his narrowed eyes.
“You destroyed them.”
The horror of a blaze that sizeable hits me hard. Not just because it could’ve come across the field and taken away all I have left of Gran’s and the only place that ever felt like home, but for Case and all he’s lost. And both him, and his sweet little girl, could’ve died. The sudden realization steals my breath, and I double over, sitting on Gran’s crocheted foot poof.
“The fire was that big?” My eyes wide, I stare off in horror.
“Oh, that wasn’t your intention? Maybe you just wanted a little fire? Something to teach him a lesson?” His words are so filled with hate, I feel sick.
The back door opens with a creak and slams shut a second later.
“Should she be going alone?” I ask, concerned.
Mack curses. “Changing the subject won’t save you, Tess.”
Covering my face with my hands, I sigh. “I’m not. I don’t understand how you can’t hate me so much when you don’t even know me. I didn’t do this,” I choke out.
“Where are your gas cans, Tess?” Mack demands. I drop my hands from my face and look at the tall man. He’s lankier than Case, rougher around the edges, with silver streaking his long dark hair and beard. He grunts and my eyes find his. The ice in his stare is enough to give me frostbite so I look away.
“At the side of the house where they’ve been since…” I stop talking. It sounds too damning. Yes, I did sabotage him, too many times to count, but this is different. This act was cruel, and it would be only for the purpose of vengeance. Is that what people think me capable of? I look to my best friend. She appears just as invested in the answers as Mack.
I grit my teeth, holding back tears. Even Paige isn’t sure of me.
“Hm. Were you going to say, right where they’ve been since you sabotaged him, maybe?” Mack jabs his long finger in my direction. “You’ve set a pattern, and you have motive for upping your game.”
“What motive?” I bark.
“You thought he had another family.”
There’s a pause as I absorb his words. Thought?
“Thought?” I narrow my eyes on him. “You implied he did. So does he or doesn’t he?”
Mack has the audacity to shrug.
My jaw shifts when he doesn’t clarify. Anger is a hot emotion and I’m on fire with it.
“I’d say ask him, but I don’t want you near him. And either way, it’s not my fucking problem if you jumped to conclusions. And definitely not my problem if your imagination sent you over the edge to commit arson and attempted fucking murder.”
I swallow hard. How did the whole world flip onto its head in the blink of an eye. “Attempted Murder?” The words come out woodenly, especially since my head is still spinning with the possibility that I was wrong about Case.
“You’ve been manipulating him since the beginning. He’s my family and he’s been through enough. I protect family.” He takes a threatening step toward me. “Everyone knows you’ve been fucking with him and his worksite for months. Why would anyone believe it wasn’t you this time, too?”
Paige steps in front of me. “Enough. You need to leave. You have no right to harass her. Innocent until proven guilty, pal. And you’re not the law.”
Wrapping my arms around my middle, I hug myself, looking away, hurt twisting inside me. The evidence is too damning.
“Maybe you helped,” Mack snarls, turning his fiery gaze on Paige. “Did you? Is the innocent sweetheart act a farce?”
Her jaw drops. “I didn’t help.”
I roll my eyes just as he says it, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
Mack’s eyes cut to mine. “So, you did do it.”
“No, she?—”
I stop Paige. “No, I didn’t.” Directing my next words at my best friend, I continue. “He’s tricking you into saying something that can be twisted to fit his narrative. No one really thinks you did anything.”
Paige’s brows rise and she presses her lips tightly.
“Sit down, both of you.” Mack points to the couch and Paige plops down, just like when we were young and in trouble. She was always the obedient one whether we were guilty or not.
“You’re in my house and we’re not dogs to scold.” Peripherally I see Paige rising slowly.
“Right,” she adds, but her voice cracks as Mack stomps closer, hooks his finger and lifts her chin so she’s looking him in the eye. I’m a little mesmerized by the two of them. It’s like watching an accident unfold, hating it, but not able to look away. There is something between them. Some weird chemistry or something. It crackles in the air.
“Tell me, while Tess was distracting Case at the barn, did you light the match? Or were you supposed to do it earlier? Maybe he was meant to be there when it happened.”
Paige gasps, stepping back, her hand flying to her mouth. I step protectively in front of her this time.
“Get the hell out. Now.” My words are calm but beneath them is a barely controlled, white-hot rage waiting to break free. “Go! Call the police if you suspect us but get the hell out.”
“We’re not done,” Mack states, stepping toward us, but I ignore him, grabbing Paige instead.
“If he won’t leave, we are.” I tug my best friend toward the front door.
“Tess didn’t even know I flew in.” Paige’s words come out in a rush as she tumbles along after me. “I surprised her. Ask Case.” She stops in her tracks, forcing me to stop too. “And murder is a far cry from some silly pranks. We’re the shenanigan sisters, not a murder duo, buddy.”
Mack’s brows raise. “Buddy?” His mouth hooks up on one side. “I am not your buddy, or your pal…” He gets close to her. “But if I were your Daddy, I’d put you across my knee right now for lying.”
Paige’s face is flushed when I turn around. Narrowing my eyes on the big man, I curse. “Are you insane? Jesus. Or do you miss the power of MC life so much you’ll bully my friend to get off?”
His eyes flick to mine, and cool instantly, but I don’t let him speak.
“First you accuse Paige of something heinous and then you treat her like a naughty little girl. She’s not capable of any of this and accusing her is deplorable.” I know there’s something loaded in that statement. The unsaid implication that accusing me is far less of an offense spins in my head. I look to the floor. It seems everyone thinking I’m capable of something so horrendous isn’t the biggest problem. It’s that I think it’s reasonable that they do.
“How dare you fuck up my best friend’s life.” Mack snarls at me.
“Check my airline ticket.” Paige reaches into the pocket and produces her phone. “If this whole thing hinges on me being involved, check my damn ticket.” She shoves the phone at Mack.
“Paige, forget it. We’re leaving.”
Mack shoots me an annoyed look and then he focuses back on Paige, the hard edge of annoyance falling away. “Show me.”
Paige taps on her phone, swipes a few times and gives it to Mack. When he hands her back the phone, I sigh, part in annoyance, part in defeat.
“See? I drove straight here from the airport which took fifty minutes. I literally dropped my bags at the door and walked through the house looking for Tess. When I didn’t find her, I immediately went out back. That’s where I found the three of them.”
“Thanks, Paige.” He gives me the side-eye. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I roll my eyes, and Mack sits his ass on the arm of my grandmother’s floral couch.
“Tell me, honey, why’d you come here?” Mack’s voice is soft and reasonable now.
Paige plops down beside him.
“God, stop answering him,” I urge, but Paige shakes her head at me.
“It’s fine.” Looking at Mack, she says, “To celebrate Tess finishing the final book for her publisher.” She crosses her arms and shoots me a hard look. “And to tell her she’s an idiot for not wanting to publish the other book she wrote.”
Paige’s mouth lifts into a soft smile. “It’s good, Tess. Damn good. Your best book actually.”
“Mack, mad as you are at me, even if there’s a tiny possibility in your mind that I didn’t do this, then the real culprit is out there. And Reece is on her own. You two have enemies, and I’m not one of them.”
Mack’s head snaps to the door and he rises as if he just remembered he’d let Reece leave alone. He turns back to me, his eyes narrowed. “We’re not done. And if you want to make up for all the shitty things you’ve done, call that judge that’s got him by the balls. Go tell her that whatever you two got caught doing was consensual. It’s the fucking least you can do.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. Whatever. Come back and interrogate me again any time. Just go take care of Reece. She shouldn’t be anywhere alone.”
“Judge Ellen Hortense,” he barks. “It’s the only way he’ll get custody.”
When the door slaps shut, Paige rises to her feet. “Let’s pack you a bag. You can stay with me in my room at parents’.”
I nod, suddenly too exhausted to argue. Maybe I should be fighting, driving to the police station to fix this, talking things out with Case, but I don’t have the energy.
But when I do, I’ll find that judge and do whatever I can to help Case get his daughter. Mack is right, it’s the least I can do.