Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (free ebook reader for iphone .TXT) 📕

right about that. I have no intentions of letting him waltz into their lives as if our past isn’t completely wrapped up in our present.

Scenarios and explanations run through my mind. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen my father since my mother’s funeral. He was next to me, clutching my shoulders as they lowered her into the ground. Calum Davenport is a professional at looking the part for everyone on the inside. As I watched the casket move lower and lower, I stood idly by, knowing he had been the catalyst for her death.

“He’s after the foundation, and I think it has something to do with Delaney’s dad.”

“What makes you believe that? Let’s not start making assumptions without proof,” she warns. “We don’t want to jump to conclusions, Breaker. He’ll do everything in his power to discredit you and those around you.”

“Earlier today, when we were at the Chambers’ house, I overheard Mr. Chambers say Calum during a phone conversation,” I explain.

“Because you heard your father’s name, doesn’t mean it’s him.” She’s trying to lessen the destruction. It’s what she’s always done. She’s a master of this.

“Mr. Chambers mentioned a foundation,” I say, solidifying the proof I have.

Aunt Emily walks around the kitchen, not uttering a single word. She takes out skillets and pans, followed by ingredients. Her lips move as if she’s having a silent conversation. Is she trying to figure out what to say to me, or trying to collect her own thoughts?

“Mr. Chambers and your father . . .” She looks up from the mixture of ricotta cheese and green leafy herbs she’s stirring.

“What, Aunt Emily?” I place my hand over hers, stopping her from having any distraction but the one I’m trying to create. “What’s the link? What am I missing? Because all year, I’ve felt like something has been off, something hidden out of sight. Pull back the curtain if you can, please, because I’m drowning.”

“You probably won’t remember this because you were too young. This was far before the twins came, but we took a family vacation to the cabin in the woods. There was a lake.”

“Oookaaay.” I draw out the word, uncertain what the cabin has to do with anything.

“Well, it was our family and two other families who had children your age,” Aunt Emily explains.

“Who?” I shake my head, confused.

“The DuPonts and the Chambers.”

“They were friends with our family?”

“More like business associates,” Aunt Emily clarifies.

“What does this have to do with Mom’s foundation and what’s going on?”

“During that vacation, your mom came to me with some startling information. She wasn’t sure if she was right, but you know your mom. She worried so much, so she dug a little more.”

“What information?”

“They were using all three businesses to conduct their business.”

“The sex trafficking?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“How did you know?”

“Dixon is sort of a genius, and he dug up the reasoning behind Delaney’s father wanting to buy DuPont’s business.”

“A transfer of power,” Aunt Emily whispers.

“It seems like Tripp, his son, is involved, too.”

“Doesn’t surprise me, honestly.”

“Is that all?”

“Not exactly. On that trip, your mom told me that if anything happened to her, to know that it wasn’t because of some freak accident or suicide.”

“What are you saying, Aunt Emily?”

“Your mother didn’t kill herself, Breaker. Your mother was shoved off that bridge.”

“By who?”

“By the one with the most to lose. Gary Chambers.”

“No one believed me when I said someone was on the bridge that night.”

“I know.”

“But you knew.”

“Not exactly. I know your mom believed if she ended up hurt, it was them who did it.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, tell the police?”

“Because your mom knew if I did, there would be consequences. She wanted to protect you three.”

“So much good that did, because I’m stuck inside of their twisted little world.” I clutch my head in my hand, rubbing the tension building inside my skull.

“Your security started to unravel with the disappearance of that Weston girl. Palmer coming into your life only brought you closer. Delaney was the final straw.”

“Her dad killed my mom. How am I supposed to process that? How do I walk out of this kitchen and look at her without any resentment or anger?”

“That girl had nothing to do with what happened to your mom. Place your anger where it’s deserved, Breaker,” Aunt Emily scolds. “All that girl ever did was be born into a family of greed. You two have that in common.”

“Mom knew what they were doing?” I question, needing to know everything. Leave it up to my mom.

“She had a big hunch. She was rather certain. With the work she did, she knew the signs. They were all there.”

“And now he’s trying to gain access to the foundation. A foundation with the most vulnerable women within its walls.” I grab the roll of paper towels and chuck it across the room, needing to release the anger building with every passing second. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“Sit tight.” Aunt Emily races from the kitchen. “Stir that pot while I’m gone!” she yells down the hall.

I grab the spoon, welcoming the distraction, and stir the red sauce. A few minutes pass before Aunt Emily takes the spoon from my hand.

“Take this,” she instructs.

“What is it?” I inspect the plain brown envelope.

“Don’t read it right now.” She presses it into my chest, blocking me. “Read it when you’re alone.”

“Do you know what it says?” I ask.

Aunt Emily shakes her head. “Those final words aren’t for me. She said what she had to say to me before she left. Those are all for you, and one day, Charlie and Tatum.”

I fold the letter and tuck it in my pocket. My arms wrap around Aunt Emily’s waist. She traces light circles along my spine like she did when I was young and didn’t feel well.

“You did a good job, you know, taking her place for us three.”

“No one took her place, Breaker.” She leans away, and her sad smile matches mine. “She’s still here.”