the slight gasp from Amanda as he did so. “The key will fit the box we’re looking for, ma’am.” He pointedly stared at Elizabeth.
“You didn’t tell me about that.” Amanda’s accusation rang through the silence in the room.
“I know which one you’re talking about. I’ll get it, but…” Elizabeth stood and cocked her head to the side as she considered the two of them. “I don’t think we should open it. Not here. I think we need to call a family meeting.”
“I agree. There’s a lot to discuss.” Amanda set her jaw with resolve.
Yes, Amanda definitely could have been Elizabeth’s daughter. And Elizabeth’s regret that she wasn’t was as palpable as the blood rushing in her veins.
Chapter 36
Amanda
Tommy hadn’t even been completely honest with her when the supposed truth had come out. He’d been withholding a key for the Wilson box.
As Elizabeth stepped out of the room to retrieve what she believed was the box in question, Amanda stood, putting as much distance between herself and Tommy as she could without leaving the house. She’d started that mission by choice. She had to see it through.
No matter how mad at Tommy she was.
“You don’t need to give me money for this stuff. I’ll give it to you. I’m planning on telling Jennifer she can’t have any of it and dealing with the fallout.” Tommy stayed where he sat on the couch and stared at Amanda as she walked around.
He didn’t get it. How could he? She hadn’t told him anything, but even knowing that, she couldn’t make herself talk with him. She barely wanted to think about him and yet she couldn’t stop.
None of that mattered.
In no time she would have the things that Jennifer was willing to pay millions for and Amanda would have the upper hand. She’d have what Jennifer wanted and that would give Amanda the control she needed to get her families, both of them, out of danger’s way.
No one still knew what exactly Jennifer threatened, but if she was willing to pay such a high price for some simple items, whatever she had planned would have a far greater return than just a couple million dollars.
That terrified Amanda the most. Her mother had always been filled with a need for vengeance. If she thought a woman at the café had slighted her, Jennifer dwelled on it for weeks, even months, until she’d plotted and executed her perfect revenge. She never let things go.
Every single one of her daughters had promised not to be the same way. At least, Amanda remembered promising that. That was part of the reason why Amanda was trying so hard to help Tommy.
He’d had his reasons for doing what he’d done. It wasn’t his fault Amanda had fallen for him.
And she had. Hard.
No, it wasn’t his fault. He’d come in to do a job. Amanda could see that, but she couldn’t get rid of the overwhelming anger flowing through her.
And if she allowed herself to look deeper, she’d see it was fed by the hurt she felt. A broken heart wasn’t the best fodder for forgiveness.
“I do. I want control over Jennifer and you need to save your family ranch and take care of your grandmother. If I give you the same price that Jennifer was paying you, then it won’t put you in a compromising position. I’m even planning on giving you a dollar more than she was so she can’t say you were doing it for favoritism. Everyone knows that the higher bid gets the purchase.” Even if it was only by one dollar.
“I…” Tommy leaned forward, hanging his hands between his knees as he studied the ground. “I honestly don’t know what to say.”
“What is there to say? I don’t need anything from you.” Amanda lied through her teeth, but she couldn’t stop. “All I want you to do is get the information to Jennifer that I have it and the only way I’ll sell it to her is if she tells me what I want to know. That’s it. That’s all you need to do. Easy, right? Then you can stop lying to me and go back to your life.” Amanda swallowed, unwilling to turn around and put her raw pain on display for him to see.
He didn’t deserve that kind of knowledge.
“Amanda, I…” His voice was closer. He’d moved from the couch to stand by her and Amanda didn’t want him to be there. She wanted him to be far away so she could heal. That’s