on the dollar.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then talk to Asher. He’s been looking into it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because the day we found that, you lost your mother. It wasn’t exactly a good time to bring up the fact that Mark’s been embezzling from you and that he already has an offer for the land. I told you I wanted to talk with you about Mark. You finally seemed to be in a place where I could approach you with this. That proposal is what I wanted to discuss. I’ve hidden nothing from you. I’ve taken nothing from you.”
“He wouldn’t do that to me.” Her voice gets small and meek.
“You sure about that? How else do you explain that offer? Asher says your yield is eighty percent what it should be based on what’s hanging on the vine. I trust Asher with my life, and he knows what he’s doing. Why do you think I asked you to check in on Mark? See what’s going on with his side of the business. But more importantly, his offer, is he offering to buy you out of your share of the business, the land, or both?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Come on, Grace. You’re smarter than this. That land is worth millions. Mark’s trying to take advantage of you.”
“It’s not true.”
“Then talk to Mark. Ask him. If he wants you to sell out your interest in the business, make a decision whether you want to keep Atwood Estates running, but tell him you’re not selling the land. See what happens. Whether you believe me or not, doesn’t matter. I’m right. Do what you need to do.”
Forty-One
Grace
Brody’s lying. He’s lying. You can’t trust him.
Those words repeat over and over in my head. I need to believe them. The alternative sucks because Mark would never do anything like that to me. Not once in my life did Mom hint at conflict between them. Something else is going on.
But what if Brody’s right?
I stare out the window, pointedly ignoring him. He continues tapping on the steering wheel—it’s annoying as fuck—but I don’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know it bugs me.
When he pulls up outside my house, I open the door before we come to a full stop. Brody reaches for the buckle of his seat belt, but I give a sharp shake of my head.
“You’re not coming inside.”
“Grace…” his jaw clamps shut, “we’re not finished.”
“I need space.”
“You know I’m right.”
“I don’t know what’s right, but I know what’s wrong. You should’ve brought this to my attention the day you found out instead of keeping it to yourself for weeks.”
“I…”
I hold up a hand. “I don’t care why you did it or that you feel somehow justified because you felt I was too overcome with grief to deal with it. You don’t get to decide that for me.”
“And what about Mark? Are you going to talk with him?”
“I’m going to do whatever I feel is right. I know you’re used to being in control and like to take charge of everything, but this is my business, not yours.”
“It’s very much my business. This is what people do when they’re together. They watch out for the other person, protect them, shield them; they support them.”
“Not like this.”
“My intentions…”
“I don’t care what your intentions are or aren’t. You don’t get to decide what I can and can’t handle.”
“I only meant to protect you.”
“It doesn’t feel like that.”
“Then maybe you do need time. Think it through, and you’ll see everything I’ve done was done to protect you.”
“That may be, but I need to know I can count on you to be honest with me. That I can depend on you to tell me the truth, not because you decide whether I can handle it, but because it’s the right thing to do. It’s what couples do for each other. If I can’t trust you…”
“I’m coming in.”
“No. You’re not. You’re going to drive away and trust that I know how to handle my own life.”
“And do what? You can’t keep me away, not after last night. I meant every word.” His green gaze blazes like fire, fueled by the intensity of his love. “You are mine, to protect, to cherish, and to love.”
I see it. I hear it. And I should let all this go, but the truth is I don’t trust that Brody won’t hurt me again. My fears are rooted deep, and I don’t know how to be free of them. I need time to sort it