Bitter Truths: A Twisted Arranged Marriage Romance (Crimson Falls Duet Book 2) by Dani René (best fiction novels to read .txt) 📗

Grace nods slowly, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She can’t deny it anymore. And she most certainly cannot tell her granddaughter that she’s in the right because she isn’t.

“I know.” Two words and it’s almost as if Scarlett deflates. The breath is whooshed from her lungs, and I have to step in, pulling her toward me, wrapping my arms around her protectively. “I did things because I believed they were right. At the time. But now, looking back, I’ve made stupid choices. And I will pay for that. There is no doubt that I will, and I go willingly.”

Even though Darius and I were at odds for a long time, we still did shit because we cared. There was anger, guilt, and rage that would flow from our words, and yes, he did shoot me, which we still need to hash out, but when I glance over at him, relief washes over me at him being here, by my side to take this family down for killing our father.

It doesn’t take long for the doors to fly open after my call and the suits to walk in. They make a beeline for Grace. Her gaze locks on mine. She knows I was the one who called them, and she doesn’t put up a fight as they lead her out of the room.

Before she disappears from sight, she looks at me, then at Darius. “I’m sorry for my hand in what happened to your father. I should’ve stopped it, but I was weak. I never wanted to lose him or the baby, but fate had other plans.”

It’s time for Darius to step forward, and he quickly closes the distance. “Don’t you ever think about him. Don’t fucking shed a tear for him because you did this. Not your bastard of a husband, you.” The anger in my brother’s tone is chilling, and I’m certain if I left him to handle Grace Bardot, she’d be dead right now.

Second later, she’s gone. Scarlett is still shaking as I wrap her in my arms. The dining room door closes, and I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Grace is in for hours of questioning, and when they’re done, she’ll be locked up, the key thrown away. It’s what she deserves.

Darius glances at me, the knowing expression on his face that we’ve finally gotten justice for our father makes me smile. It’s small, a mere quirk of the corners of my mouth, but it’s enough for my brother.

Scarlett turns to me. Her eyes wide. “Is it over?” Her question has me taking her in my arms and nuzzling my nose into her fragrant hair. So sweet and so mine.

“Yes.” It’s the only thing I can voice, because I’m still shocked at the revelations that came to light today. I knew the proof Darius showed me was real, that it was the Bardots who killed Dad, so I’m not as shocked as I would’ve been if I didn’t trust Darius.

“I’m sorry,” Scarlett whispers, her hand cupping my cheek as she stares up at me. Before I can say anything, Darius is behind her, his hands on her hips and my inner beast roars with possessiveness. “I’m sorry.” This she says when she looks at him.

She’s so tiny between us. The thought of the past sitting behind us is calming. I turn my attention to Kahn, who’s now moving around the table as he watches us, a smirk curling his lips, and I want to tell him it’s not what he thinks, but I’d be lying.

I thought long and hard about it, and it’s happening. Without a doubt it is because I recall the pleasure, the passion, and I can’t deny us that.

“I’ll be in the office. We’ll sort out Lorenzo,” Kahn informs me, still grinning as he arches a dark brow at me. He knows what’s going to happen here tonight. I want to make Scarlett forget about her fucking grandmother.

We still have her parents to sort out. I want to ensure that Horatio knows exactly what he did to his little girl while being more concerned about his life than hers. And her mother, she’s also in for it, because I’m going to let Darius loose on her. And I can’t wait to see the aftermath of that.

Kahn leaves. It’s only the three of us, like it will be for a long time to come. But for now, Scarlett will be ours to enjoy, and this evening, she’ll learn what it’s like to be loved by the two Shaw brothers.

I lift my gaze to his. A small, glimmer of a smile on his mouth. We know who killed our father, and I hope Darius and I can finally put the past behind us. I owe him an apology. I never believed him when he told me the MC didn’t hurt Dad. It’s my fault he had to live with the pain for so long. Away from our childhood home.

21

Scarlett

My emotions are in turmoil.

Anger and sadness are at the forefront of my mind though. After hearing Gran’s confession, I’m still reeling.

The sun shines down on my skin as I lie on the lounger in an attempt to read a book, but I can’t focus. I wanted to relax, to try to forget everything that happened and focus on my future, but we haven’t yet spoken to my mom and dad.

I have to.

I can’t ignore the fact that my father paid money to Darius and signed my life over to Lycan. It’s as if he doesn’t care about me. It’s almost as if I’m not his child, and anything that happened to me didn’t faze him.

That thought hurts.

With Lycan and Darius gone to meet with Kahn, the house is quiet. The silence forcing my mind to whirl with images of my grandmother being taken away, with the wedding, the shooting, everything that