Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
She inhales a sharp breath as if she’s debating on coming clean or not. If she knows what’s good for her, she better.
“Yes, she was. He got her pregnant, but Elliot and I didn’t know until after Gabe passed.”
“So that’s how you knew her and why you teamed up with her to kill Noah?”
She balks. “What? Of course not.”
“Explain the twenty grand then. And don’t you dare lie to me this time.”
“Katie, let’s sit down somewhere and talk about this,” she pleads.
I look around the parking lot. “I’d rather not. There are cameras back here just in case.”
“You really think I’d try to hurt you?”
“I’d say never until someone started coming after Noah, and then you withdrew the same sum of money that Brittany paid a hit man. It’s not hard to figure out what’s going on. He’s responsible for Gabe’s death, and you and Brittany aren’t happy he’s back. He took away your only son and Anthony’s father.”
“Katie, I really don’t know anything about someone trying to kill Noah, but yes, I did give Brittany that money. Years ago when she gave us proof that Gabe was her son’s father, we paid her to keep quiet and leave town, knowing how it’d look and all.”
“How it’d look?” I raise a brow, knowing it was to save Gabe’s image.
“I knew it’d break your heart even more. You didn’t deserve learning the news of that after everything you’d already been through. It’d tarnish your memories of Gabe and would be a constant reminder of what he did to you. Elliot and I thought we were doing what was best for everyone.”
“By ignoring a child who was your blood relative? Of course I would’ve been hurt, but what he’d done couldn’t be changed.”
“Brittany’s extremely unstable and would’ve made your life hell, Katie. I did it for both of us,” she exclaims.
“Seems like she’s dead set on making Noah’s life hell. She’s behind everything, and when I saw you withdraw that money, I thought you could be too.”
“I assure you I only gave her that money so she’d leave town again. She was blackmailing us with rumors and said if we gave her the cash, she’d take Anthony and move away.”
“And you believed her?”
“Well, she did last time, so I was hopeful. When I saw she returned, I reminded her of our deal, and she said she had unfinished business.”
I think back to what Noah told me was said at the deli and what Loretta’s saying seems to match. While I have no reason to believe Loretta since she made up a tall tale previously, Belinda heard this exact conversation, so I know she’s telling the truth. “You knew she was coming after him then?”
“At the time, I didn’t realize what she was capable of. It wasn’t until things started happening that I put it together.”
“Noah had to hide for weeks to keep Jerry and Belinda safe,” I nearly shout. “Since no one knew it was her at the time, he couldn’t risk it.”
She pins me with a stare. “I’m a little surprised you’re defending him so much. You sure forgave him quickly. I know Gabe wasn’t perfect, but Noah—”
“I love him,” I blurt out, my cheeks heating at the confession I’ve hidden from her for so long. “We’re together.”
“Oh.” She swallows hard. “Can’t say I’m entirely shocked, considering how close you two were before the incident. Does Owen know?”
“Yes. But not about that night. And I’d like it to stay that way,” I clarify. “He’s too young to understand.”
“What’s goin’ to happen if he finds out from someone else?”
“I’ll figure that out when the time comes, but for now, there’s no reason he needs to know. It was a very unfortunate accident.”
Loretta huffs, and though this is a hard topic for her to discuss, she keeps her opinions to herself.
“I would never hurt Owen or put him in harm’s way,” she says softly. “I miss him, Katie. Please let me see him.”
As much as my heart goes out to her, I can’t agree just yet. “I’m sorry, Loretta. Until Brittany is caught, he’s staying close to my mother and me.”
“I love him more than anything. It’s why I wanted Brittany out of town. I don’t want him finding out about his dad’s affair any more than you do.”
“Of course I don’t, but he has a half brother. I can’t keep that from him forever.” As much as I don’t want Brittany near any of us, Anthony’s an innocent child who’s suffering from this too.
“Brittany wants Noah to pay. Gabe promised her this whole fantasy life, and she blames Noah for ripping it away from her. From the sound of it, she’ll stop at nothing to make that happen.”
I scowl at the thought of Gabe promising the world to another woman. “Exactly what did he tell her?”