Page 15 of Coff


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First, I need to find my dad and ask him about Uncle Leo. He likely won’t be honest with me, but if I don’t ask, I’ll stew on it all night.

“I’ll come to you once everyone is asleep,” I say.

He nods. “I hope no one here is a night owl.”

I laugh. “Nope. I’ll see you soon.”

We walk into the house together, and he continues to the back while I stop at my dad’s office. As expected, he’s sitting at the desk, sipping on scotch.

I stare after him, thinking about what my brother said. If it’s true, then this man has been lying to me my entire life. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’d heard things around the office and thought my dad might be dishonest, but never did I think he was capable of murder. And why would my mom stay with him if she knew? Did she want to stay? The woman has been depressed my entire life, and I thought that was just her nature. But what if it’s really her circumstances?

Then another thought hits me. If my dad really did kill Leo and others, Logan might not be safe with me.

I have to know if my dad is a murderer. The thought sounds ridiculous. Hopefully, Duke was just messing with my head, although that’s not really like him. But if it’s true, I can’t work for my dad. Hell, I can’t live here. My mind is swirling.

“Dad, I need to talk to you.”

He glances up. “I don’t know what that boy said to you, but I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“It’s not about him.”

He drops his pen and stares at me. “All right then. What’s going on?”

Well, I could beat around the bush or get right to it. “Did you kill Leo and bury him under a house?”

My dad’s eyes widen, then his lips curl up. Then he laughs. “What?”

“You heard me.”

He laughs harder. “Where the hell did you get an idea like that?”

I sit in the chair across from him. “It doesn’t matter. Did you do it?”

He takes a deep breath, then looks me in the eye. “No, I didn’t. Leo is in Europe somewhere. Last I heard, he met a woman.”

One of these men is lying. Which one? Both looked me in the eyes as they spoke. I understand why my dad would lie, but what would Duke have to gain?

“Delaney, I’ve done some things in my life I’m not proud of, but I can assure you I’d never kill anyone. I might overcharge them for a new driveway, but that’s about it.”

“And tried to ruin any relationship I’ve tried to have,” I add.

“So, thisisabout that boy.” He leans back. “I looked into him because I’m worried about you. He has significant debt. I find it quite the coincidence that now he’s wooing you.”

“You looked into him? How? You only just met him hours ago?”

He takes another sip of his drink. “It doesn’t take long to run a basic search, honey.”

“And you think he’s using me? It’s not possible he might actually care for me?”

My dad sets his drink down. “Listen closely to what I’m telling you. There are many people in this world who see how much money we have, and they will do anything to take a piece. Even if it means feigning interest. I’m sorry, but that’s how the world is. It’s something I’ve been trying to protect you from your entire life.”

I stand. There is no way Logan is using me. I went up to him. Hell, he didn’t know my last name until we FaceTimed after he was back in Virginia.

“You’re wrong about him. I’m going to bed. It’s been a rough night.”

He nods. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

On my way to the stairs, I find my brother. “Hey, asshole, I asked him about Leo, and he denied it. Don’t play those kinds of pranks on me. It makes me look like a fool.” I push past him, but he grabs my arm.