Chapter 33 #2
“Sorry, I meant it wasn’t personal against you. It was very personal for Denny because the person he loved asked him to get you out of town by any means necessary. And after losing everyone else, he wasn’t prepared to lose them too.”
Wade looks at me then, and I shake my head. “No, my mom was a lot of things, but she’s always been loyal to my dad.”
Sorrow groans. “Shit.”
“What is it? You remember something, don’t you?”
She looks up at me and bites her lip. “Before he shoved me, he said something like I ruined everything because now he was gone too.”
The wheels turn as I try to piece together what she’s saying, when Wade speaks. “Your mom was always loyal to your dad, but can you say the same about him?”
My eyes jolt to his as everything clicks into place. “You’re saying my dad was having an affair with Denny?” I choke out.
“I got the information from the mayor himself after I found a trail from him to your parents. When questioned, he spilled everything he knew, as if he’d been waiting for the day he could.”
“What kind of trail?” Blake asks, but his eyes are on me. I can’t respond. For once, I’m shocked stupid.
Sorrow slides her hand up my throat and cups my jaw. She doesn’t do anything else, but somehow, that one simple gesture grounds me.
“Large chunks of money were donated to the mayor while he was on the campaign trail. And I’m talking his personal account. Maybe he could find a way to talk himself out of that predicament, but later on, he was paying regular amounts of money to your parents.”
“You think they were blackmailing him like they were Stephenson.”
“He admitted as much, though he was cagey on what he was being blackmailed over.”
“What’s the odds they had something on him all along, that’s why they funded his campaign. If they had him in power, they could control him.” Kellen sighs.
“You okay?” Sorrow asks, her hand that’s still on my face, pulling me closer.
“I hate that I never knew them at all. Everything was a lie, and I was so fucking blind to it all. What kind of asshole does that make me?”
“Do not take that on, Jake Bannerman, do you hear me?” she snaps as I lean my forehead against hers.
“I hate that I even share the same name as them.”
“Well, the way I see it, you have two options. You can marry me and take my name, which is just as freaking bad, or you can keep the Bannerman name because they’re just two people that sucked.
You and Katy are Bannerman’s too, and I think you’re both awesome.
I also remember you telling me how much you loved your grandma and grandfather.
Don’t let those assholes ruin a legacy that our children deserve to be a part of.
“Hello, look what just happened with the Peterson name. The town wrote Denny out of its history. He was innocent in all this. And yeah, now he’s an asshole, but he wasn’t always.
He lost his family, his home, and as much as it galls me to say, the man he loved.
And on top of that, he finds out his lineage is as fucked-up as can be?
I’m surprised he didn’t choke on the chip on his shoulder long before now. ”
“Okay, that’s a lot to unpack. First off, I get what you’re saying about Denny.
If he’d come back and fucked up with anyone else, maybe I’d be more forgiving.
But the second he messed with you; it was game over.
As for the rest of what you said…” I lean in and kiss her, ignoring Kellen making gagging noises across the room.
“You wanna marry me? Have babies with me?”
“Have you seen your face? You have to admit, we’d make cute kids,” she whispers, searching my eyes to get a read on me.
“That we would, but I wouldn’t care if kids weren’t an option. All I need is you.”
“You have me.”
“And you’ll become Mrs. Bannerman?”
She grimaces, making me grin.
“I did not think that through, but yes. It’s important. Don’t let them tear down everything your ancestors spent years building.”
“I’m with your girl on this one,” Wade throws out, drawing her attention once more.
“So what happens now?”
“There’s an APB out on Denny. Until he’s caught, I don’t want you going anywhere alone.”
“Oh, you can count on that, even if I have to cuff her to my bed. Come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea.”
She elbows me, but I’m not joking.
“I’ll get my guys out looking for him, too.” Blake folds his arms.
“Fine, but you call me in if you find him. Don’t forget he’ll be armed.”
“We know what we’re doing, Wade.”
Wade scrubs a hand down his face. “Well, at least that makes one of us.”
“Hate to say this mate, but you better get used to it. Word on the street is you’ll be getting the chief’s position.” Kellen smirks.
“I’m not getting it because I deserve it. I’m getting it because nobody else is suitable to take it. They’re either too close to retirement, too young, or just not qualified. I feel like I’m fucking cheating.”
“You were the only one out of the whole police force I trusted. You’re a good cop and an even better man.
I went with Stephenson because you told me it was safe.
If you hadn’t, I’d have stayed right where I was.
If I could pick anyone to be chief, it would be you, because you are everything this town needs, and I dare you to fight me on it,” Sorrow growls.
I bury my face against her shoulder and chuckle. Blake grins, and Kellen outright roars with laughter, but Wade just looks stunned.
“Are you listening to me, mister?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now I’m going to nap because I’m tired, and when I wake up, one of you three better have figured out a way to bust me out of here because I want to go home.”
“On it.” Kellen walks over to the door and pulls it open, only to find a doctor standing on the other side.
“Alright, Miss Wells, let’s see about getting you out of this place.”
I look at Kellen. “Wow, you’re good.”
“So the ladies tell me.”
“No, they don’t. That’s so cringe.”
“God, I’m old,” Blake complains. I can’t help it. I laugh. It doesn’t matter that everything outside of this room is a dumpster fire right now. With my girl in my arms, sassing the shit out of guys she’s beginning to think of as brothers, I know everything’s going to be okay.