Chapter 17 #2
Her father shook his head. “That was totally avoidable, Cordelia. I love you enough to call you out on your blame-shifting here. I told you that man was wrong for you, beneath you. It was simply a relationship that would hurt you in the end. I implored you never to see him again, and you lied to me and said you’d broken things off.
” He huffed out a breath. “There were so many points at which you could have averted the need for his death.”
The need to have him murdered . . . Gideon felt his rage building. The ultimate narcissism. He could feel Mackenzie’s tension racheting up.
Cordelia’s eyes filled, and his tone softened.
“Baby, I told you so often, didn’t I? I promised your mother that you’d never be touched by what I did for a living.
That was my sacred vow to her. How could I let you marry a man who dealt drugs?
Even if he swore on bended knee to step away from it?
It showed what kind of man he was, don’t you see that?
Someone who would stand on a street corner and peddle drugs isn’t worthy of you. ”
Mackenzie’s nostrils flared. “This from a drug runner.”
He ignored her, gaze riveted on his daughter. “You wouldn’t want me to go back on my word to your mom, would you?”
The most frightening thing was that the man obviously believed his murderous logic. The happy grandpa, Frank Soliel, the doting father, a stone-cold killer.
“What a hero you are. How dedicated to preserving your family while you poison other people’s children.” Mackenzie’s voice swelled with rage. Ignoring the redhead, Gideon put a warning palm on her forearm, but she jerked it away.
“What a fine, ethical man you are, Frank. You had Aaron killed to protect your daughter? To keep a promise to your dead wife? How exemplary. I guess it had nothing to do with the fact that Aaron knew what you really are.” Her hands were balled into tight fists.
“You couldn’t have a son-in-law who was privy to your sordid business dealings.
That would give him leverage over you. He could inform on you anytime.
You couldn’t have that, could you? That would never do. ”
He turned cold eyes on her. “The sister. How nice to finally meet you face-to-face. But you’re mistaken, of course. I wasn’t threatened by a peon, low-level nobody who sold drugs on street corners.” He paused. “Nor am I bothered by a girl who couldn’t even make it through cop school.”
Gideon edged a few inches in front of Mackenzie. “Yes, you are. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to take Aaron out and then try the same on Mackenzie. You wouldn’t expend that kind of energy unless you felt threatened.”
“Everything I do is to ensure the well-being of my daughter and Katie. I will not let anyone or anything impact them negatively.” Frank’s gaze riveted on Mackenzie.
“You and your brother have been nothing but a stain on our lives. If I had been able to foresee the damage you’ve caused, I would have had your brother shot well before he set foot in Oakleaf and saved us all the aggravation. ”
Mackenzie jerked forward, but Gideon clamped onto her wrist. The gunman clenched his weapon.
Tension crackled the air. They needed to stall until he figured out what to do.
Frank likely wouldn’t have them killed in front of his daughter and granddaughter.
Like Cordelia said, he left the dirty work to other people.
Gideon flicked a glance to the rear hallway, the stairwell, the foyer leading to the front door, the French doors. Was there a way out? He had to find one.
“Stop it.” Cordelia’s body was rigid as she held her daughter. “I don’t want to hear any more. I’m taking Katie and we’re getting out of here.”
Frank morphed back into the cajoling father.
“Honey, listen to reason. Oakleaf is on the brink of cataclysm. The roads are flooded, the dam’s partially failed, and the only way out is by helicopter.
” He pointed to the roof. “Jake’s not going to disobey my orders again.
I know where his wife is, and I included that information in the earlier message.
He isn’t taking you anywhere unless we’re all three going together. ” His tone was almost jolly.
The perfect family of three. Father, daughter, granddaughter.
Gideon’s brain churned up plan after plan. If they could reach it, would the front door be unlocked? If not, how long would it take him to get through it? The French doors would be easy to breach, but he couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t find themselves trapped in an enclosed patio or courtyard.
Keep him talking.
“You’re going to fly off with Cordelia and Katie,” Gideon said. “Where does that leave us?”
Frank gave him a disinterested look. “You know where. I warned you what would happen if you stayed. You stubbornly refused to save yourselves. Again, what happens to you isn’t my choice.
It was yours. You should have chosen better.
” He gestured to the red-haired man. “Cy, dispose of them after we take off. Take the boat on the landing and dump them somewhere. Doesn’t much matter where.
The dam is going to collapse and the floodwaters will carry them away from the property. You’re free to leave from there.”
“No, Daddy.” Cordelia’s voice was barely a whisper. Katie began to whimper. “You can’t do that.”
“I’ll take care of everything, honey.” He held out his arms to Cordelia. “Let me carry the angel. You look so tired. We’ll go someplace warm. Wherever you want. This will all be over soon.”
Cordelia’s sob was swallowed up by a low boom that shook the floor.
“The dam!” the redheaded man shouted. “It’s busted.”
Gideon’s heart plummeted. Their time had run out and there was nowhere to hide from the destruction that was coming.