Dark Legacy by Jen Talty (reading books for 4 year olds .txt) 📗

“He knew my father,” Shannon admitted, clutching her pendant. She ran her finger up and down the feather. When she’d first met Alex, he was a nineteen-year-old kid working at her father’s office for the summer. She’d just turned fourteen.

A year later, she was stuck in the bow of her father’s boat while Alex and a few of her father’s so-called friends took turns with her while dear old Dad sat behind the helm, drinking his beer and soaking in the sun. She actually didn’t know what he did or thought. By the time he made his way to the galley, he was drunk, and she was curled up in a ball in a corner.

At first, Alex had been sort of sweet and gentle. It was as if he wasn’t sure what he was doing or why, and the first time she’d ever done a line of cocaine had been with him. He’d taught her how to numb the pain. For a short time, he’d been sort of a friend.

Until he changed.

And not for the better.

“I take it you knew him, as well?” Jackson looped his arm around her waist, giving her a gentle squeeze.

She stiffened.

He dropped his hand.

But she couldn’t relax.

“Shannon. I don’t like asking you to talk about things that upset you. However, your patient’s murder appears to be connected to this man. With your uncle’s history and him showing up, my mind is forming a pretty ugly picture of what happened to you.”

“I can’t do this.” Her heart raced.

“You’re going to have to. The police will be questioning you about what you know, especially since a couple of your patients are involved.”

This couldn’t be happening. Her past couldn’t be colliding with her present. Her mother had always told her it was best to keep skeletons locked up in the closet, never letting them out.

Could she have let out her worst nightmare by starting the search for her kid?

She jumped up but lost her footing. Her arms flapped wildly as she tried to regain her balance.

Jackson reached for her, but it was too late as she splashed into the icy waters of Lake George.

Her body jerked. She kicked and scrambled for the surface. As soon as her head lifted out of the water, she gasped for air. “Holy mother of God, that’s fucking cold.”

Jackson leaned over and heaved her out of the water. He lifted her into his arms and jogged down the dock.

“Put me down,” she said.

“When I get you inside and wrapped in a towel.” He adjusted her in his arms. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee, make you some breakfast, and we’ll—”

“I can’t.”

He kissed her cheek before bending over and opening her back door.

“You don’t understand.”

He set her down by the bathroom door and found a towel, handing it to her. “Try me.”

“You’ll just judge me for not doing anything.”

“You were a child,” he said with a dark tone. “Why don’t you go get some dry clothes on, and I’ll make you something to eat? When do you have to leave for the office?”

“I don’t. I canceled all my appointments today, and I’ll be doing paperwork from home. One of the detectives will be stopping by around lunch.” Flashes of her childhood filled her mind. The fear that tore through her soul with the first contraction tugged at her heart. The sound of her little girl crying filled her ears.

That child was innocent.

She hadn’t asked to be born from violence.

But she deserved a chance at a good life, and Shannon wanted to give her that.

Jackson held her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Let me in, Shannon. I’m on your side. Telling me what you know, what happened to you, before you have to explain any of it to the police will only make it easier.”

Breathe. Just breathe. “Okay. Give me five minutes.” She turned and raced up the stairs, tears streaming down her face. She stepped into her bedroom and took her cell from its cradle on the nightstand. She found Annette’s contact information and hit send.

“Hi, dear, what’s going on?”

Shannon sobbed.

“Honey, what’s the matter?”

“Alex Angler is back.”

Silence on the other end.

“Did you hear me?”

“I did,” Annette said. “How do you know?”

“He’s heading up a sex ring that my clients are involved in. My patients, Annette. Mine. Don’t you think that’s a little convenient?” She sniffled. “Do you remember what he said to me at Dad’s funeral?” She shivered. Alex had had the audacity to wrap his arms around her, pull her close, and whisper in her ear, “Someday, I’ll return for what is rightfully mine.”

Did he actually believe Shannon belonged to him?

“I do,” Annette said calmly. “Honey. Where are you?”

“At home.”

“Are you alone?”

“Jackson’s here.” Shannon set the phone to speaker and towel-dried her hair as she slipped out of her wet clothes. “He’s the one who told me.”

“I’m glad you’re not alone. I take it you’ve told him everything?”

“No. But he’s pieced most of it together, and I’m going to have to tell the police what I know.” Shannon stood in front of her mirror in her bra and panties and pressed her hand over her stomach, fingering her stretch marks. The one thing she could never truly hide. Of course, she always wore one-piece bathing suits, and she’d told the few men who questioned her about it that she used to be fat as a kid.

“You’ve kept this locked up inside you for so long. And I get why, but—”

“I know I have to.” Standing there staring at herself, a grown woman who’d survived some of the worst trauma a child could ever have to endure, she realized she’d done it. She’d made something of herself, and she’d be damned if she would let her past—Alex—ruin everything she’d worked so hard for.

“Would you like me to drive up tonight?” Annette asked.

“Do you mind putting that on the back burner for now? I’ll call you this afternoon.”

“I’ll clear my schedule for the rest of the weekend. Hubby will understand.”

“Thanks, Annette. I love