Wicked Lies

There were other memories, though. The time she’d fell from the swing and ski

She’d run to Poppy and he’d made it all right. He’d kissed her ski

There had been picnics in the backyard, family reunions that often filled the grassy acre of land next to the house.

There hadn’t been a family reunion since her mother’s death.

As time passed, the tension increased inside her, twisting its way through her stomach and tightening sickeningly every time she let herself wonder what his reaction would be.

Would he welcome her? Would he denounce her?

The man she had known as her father would never denounce her, she thought, but ten years was a long time when a heart felt betrayed. If he felt betrayed by her silence all those years, then he could turn her away.

“We’re in place.” Cord spoke through the small transmitters he’d passed out before they’d headed to the Maddox mansion.

The earbuds tucked securely into the ear canal, almost invisible but strong enough to both send and receive every word. Though not a lot had been said once her brothers entered the house.

Putting the truck into gear, Jazz drove along the street then turned into the drive as Ke

Cord had wanted her out of the way while her mother was dealt with. Once Luce was contained then Grace would be brought home and everything would be explained.

Explanations wouldn’t help, though, Ke

“I’ll come around and let you out,” Jazz forestalled her as she moved to open the door. “Stay still.”

He was still trying to protect her.

Loping around the truck, he pulled the door open and extended his hand to her again. Taking it, Ke

“Poppy?” she whispered, almost breathless at the thought of seeing him again.

“He’s in the front room,” Deacon nodded, his gaze heavy as they entered the foyer.

Breathing in slow and deep, her fingers holding tight to Jazz’s hand, she moved toward the living room.

“Cord, what’s going on?” Luce demanded, her strident voice overly loud as Ke

“Like meeting with Colby and Phoenix?” The latent violence in her brother’s voice was like a lash of fury. “That meeting’s been canceled, Luce.”

Silence met his a

“What are you talking about?” Luce demanded, the icy confidence in her voice almost amusing.

“Colby’s dead. A corkscrew to the heart by the woman you sent him after will do that. Phoenix spilled his guts, though. Know what I’m talking about now?”

“I won’t tolerate this.” There was the fear.

“Sit your ass down and shut your fucking mouth.” Vi

“Let’s see if Luce wants to explain her side of the story first,” Cord suggested.

“You’re crazy. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then I’ll explain it,” Cord promised. “Pop, Mother wasn’t killed as a strike against you. It was Luce’s attempt to make certain the evidence Mom had against her never saw the light of day. Evidence of collaboration with Clan family members to take over the Kin and to steal information and possible gold locations for her own gain. I have the proof, Luce. Want to keep protesting?”

Poppy was silent for long moments.

“She had your mom and sister killed?” Her father’s voice hardened, turned stony, merciless.

“No, Pop, she managed to have Mom killed. But Ke

“Where?” Hoarse, filled with hope, her father’s question was all she needed.

Ke

She didn’t speak. Her gaze went instantly to the still-tall, still-powerful form of her father where he sat in his recliner, his expression quieting so suddenly Ke

She had no idea what Luce or Cord said from that moment. Clenching Jazz’s hand with both of hers now, she stared at her Poppy with a desperation she couldn’t contain.

His hands clenched on the arms of his chair and slowly, so slowly he rose from where he sat.

Dark blond and brown hair had turned gray in many places. His deep, emerald-green eyes flared with emotion, his expression becoming eagle-fierce.

She wanted to breathe, but her lungs didn’t seem to work as well as they once had. Her knees were weak, her heart racing so hard she was breathless.

“Poppy,” she finally managed to breathe out, the tightening in her throat returning, her voice hitching, pain resonating through every part of her body.

“Ke

“Poppy,” she whispered. “They took her.” She had to swallow but a sob ripped from her instead. “They killed Momma.”

His expression collapsed. Tears filled his eyes as her own gaze blurred and burned.

“Ke

*   *   *

Jazz let her go, the tension he’d felt since the moment he’d realized she was alive evaporating.

The woman he’d brought into the Maddox home wasn’t the lover he’d held in his arms for the past weeks. This woman was the sixteen-year-old girl who had lost everything in her world in one tragic, pain-filled night.

As Vincent Maddox clasped his daughter in his arms, Luce actually thought it a moment of weakness. Turning to run she barreled into Jazz when he moved into her path, nearly falling on her ass before Cord caught her.

Nylon restraints were snapped expertly around her wrists as several Kin waiting for that moment entered the room. The two men who had arrived at the house with Cord earlier as well as several others positioned themselves around the room to ensure that Luce didn’t escape justice.

Vi

Jazz stepped back as Cord, Deacon, and Sawyer joined their surviving parent and the baby sister they could now realize as part of their lives again.

Swiping his hand through his hair, he looked around the room. He wasn’t needed here now, he thought wearily. This was a time for Ke

Turning, he left the room slowly, glancing back when he reached the doorway and letting the scene sink inside him. Ke

Until then, it was time to go.

“Jazz?” The sound of her voice as he slipped past the doors drew him back. “Jazz, you can’t leave.”

Tears covered her face, and that need for him that he’d longed to see in her eyes was there.