I stay standing and look each of my siblings in the eye before starting from the beginning.
“Lewis Davis introduced himself to me at a work party. We became friends. He was interesting and charming. We dated, and he introduced me to his family.”
“Great, you slept with him, and you offered us up on a plate.” Ivy jumps to the same conclusion as Noah.
“Let her talk, Ivy,” Noah growls from the back of the room. “It will go quicker if you all just fucking listen.” His eyes glance back towards me, and I mouth a quick thank you before continuing.
“We didn’t sleep together. He used me as a way to get close to us. He explained about his family, about how they were ostracised from his real family and the struggle they went through. He became more and more focused on that, painting a picture of a corrupt family willing to do anything to protect a secret.” I take a breath and wait for another barrage from Ivy or Landon. Nothing comes. So, I carry on. “His father recently passed away. I’m assuming that was what started his vendetta. He found information that joined our families. Noah’s filled me in that you’ve found the same information.” I look to Ivy. She nods but doesn’t say a word more to break the tense air or help.
I sigh and look to the window, perhaps hoping words will come easier if I don't have all their eyes on me. “He’s been planning this for a long time. He researched us, showed me information about you, Landon.” I glance back at him. “Things that I didn’t want to believe, frankly, but he seemed to twist everything. He saw me as the weak link, and I played right into his hands. He arranged the author as a way to cause trouble – to threaten us. He wanted to ruin the family that destroyed his.”
My eyes drop to my hands, clenched together in front of me.
“There’s got to be more, Neve,” Landon questions.
I look up and stare at Noah. He nods at me again, but I also see Landon scrutinise where my eyes focus, so I turn away quickly before starting again. “I spoke to Father about him. Or about the Davis family and the connection to ours. He just ignored it all. I couldn’t believe that he wouldn’t take this seriously. Lewis grew more desperate. He wanted Daddy to change his will, to get his share of what was due to him.”
“He didn’t change his will,” Landon states categorically.
“I know. He refused. Lewis was growing more desperate. He’d already threatened me to set up the meetings, but he didn’t count on Daddy not giving in to his demands.” I look towards Ivy.
“What?”
“Before he shot him, he said something. At the time, I didn’t know what he meant, but then Noah took me to the farm. He was blackmailing Father. He kidnapped you, Ivy.”
“What the fuck? That was him?” Ivy shouts. “And you just let it all happen?” She moves towards me, and as if in unison, Noah moves forward, too.
“Ivy," Blake counters, pulling her back.
“I swear I didn’t know he’d go that far. He was threatening to go public with the scandal about our family name - to ruin us in our own media with the secrets he pulled up, and when that wasn’t enough, he kept pushing. But nothing worked. He wouldn’t back down, and Daddy stood up to him, even after knowing … so … he shot … he killed Daddy.”
There’s a beat of silence in the room as the weight of my words sinks in. My heartbeat in my chest feels like it’s going to explode through my chest as I wait for someone to speak.
“Why did you run?” Seffi asks. She’s wrapped in Scott’s arms, and I wonder if she’s been told yet about the Foxton connection.
My fists tighten, body trying to find the strength to get this last bit out. “I was guilty. I caused all of this. I gave Lewis access and let him into our lives. I told him bits and pieces about us, about Landon taking over. Part of me felt sorry for him, that he’d been cheated. Shunned from what was rightly his. And then, when he changed and turned violent, I didn’t stop him. He shot Father in front of me, and I didn’t stop him. And perhaps I could have if things were different. The guilt was already eating me up, and I wanted to see Lewis pay for what he’d done.”
“You should have come to us,” Landon says as he stands and stalks towards the bar. He pours himself a healthy drink and leans against the wall as if trying to contain his anger. “Why Morocco, and why didn’t you come back with Locke?” he questions.
Noah and I look at each other. I don’t know what he’s told Landon already, and I don’t want to risk giving something away that’s going to land him in a worse situation.
“I’ve had a place out there for a while. I needed time to think.”
“Oh, you and your bloody thinking. You’re meant to be the fucking clever one, and you let this psycho get to us?” Ivy shouts.
“And what would you have done differently?” Noah interjects, his glare levelled clearly at her.
“You don’t get to defend her, Locke. You had one job to do, and you couldn’t do that,” Ivy snipes.
It’s the worst thing she could have said.
“Fuck, you're a mouthy bitch.” Noah’s facing Ivy now as if he’s ready to attack her. “My job is done,” he seethes.
“Noah!” I step forward, ready to get between them if needed.
“What the fuck was that?” Landon’s voice booms over us all, silencing the room.
Everyone stops moving and looks at him. He’s looking between Noah and me. Which makes me pull on my best poker face, determined to do what I can to keep Noah out of this mess.
