Page 40 of We're All Liars

“You motherfucking bitch! I will kill you, but first, I’ll kill that bitch brother of yours in front of you. And it will be all your fault.”

“Still haven’t the gotten the point.” I look back at Doc. “Do you think it’s the pain making him delusional enough to think he actually has a chance?”

“Probably adrenaline,” Doc responds.

“How do I bring that down?”

“I have something for that.” He holds up a syringe.

“No. I don’t want him too complacent.” I watch as he cries in agony. “He needs to be fully awake and aware for this next part.”

“I should’ve killed you when I had the chance. I should’ve ended you like I did your asshole grandfather.”

That catches me off guard. Pawpaw died of a heart attack, and I’m going over the memories in my head. And my father sees me questioning my memories.

“That’s right. The old bastard was trying to talk your mother into leaving me. So, I got rid of him. No one ever suspected me because I wasawayon business. But I did it. And I’ll show you proof. Let me go and I’ll turn myself in for it.”

“Seriously, that’s your play?” I laugh while my insides twist, my gut telling me it’s true.

I can finish this. I just don’t think I can hear much more from his mouth or I’ll end up killing him and that isn’t what I planned. That’s not what he deserves. “You should rot in hell. But first, you’re going to rot inside your mind. And please make me the monster in there. Go ahead. But don’t you dare forget to note which chapter you made me this way.”

I shove a metal gag inside his mouth. He’s fighting me, but he’s weaker. He thrashes, screams, but I keep at it until I get the contraption is in place. His mouth is now forcibly open and there’s nothing he can do.

I reach forward, grab his tongue with one hand, and bring the scalpel in my other hand up. His eyes widen as he studies the blade in my hand. He squeals, squirming in a useless attempt to retreat. A lot of it sounds like begging and pleading. But it’s too late. I slice the blade across his tongue, cutting at it until it’s completely detached from his mouth.

I stand there, holding his tongue in one hand and the bloody scalpel in the other. Blood pours out of his mouth. I knew I wouldn’t be able to come back from this, but it had to be done. “You’ll never hurt us again. You’ll never lay another hand on my brother. And you’ll never touch me with your fingers again. And you’ll never speak to anyone ever again.”

I drop the tongue and blade to the floor and look at Doc. “Are we set?”

He nods. “Yes. He’ll be taken to West Promenade and won’t ever leave there until he’s dead.”

“Perfect. But let’s hold off on that last step for a while.” I glance back over my shoulder, my dad apparently passed out from the pain. Pity. I wish he would’ve stayed awake to take it all in. But one thing is for sure, he’ll remember all of this when he wakes up.

It’s risky to keep him alive with the information he has. But I have more trust in Doc and their organization than I ever had in the legal system. Doc assured me that the hospital is run by shareholders just like him. And as long as they receive the yearly payment, they’ll make good on their deal. And I have to say, it’s worth the money. The amount won’t even put a dent in my inheritance. But now knowing the truth about what he did to my grandfather, I’d spend every penny if it meant keeping him there to suffer. In his mind. In his own hell. Where he belongs.

36

CADE

“Where the fuck is she at?” It’s been hours. “We’ve looked everywhere.”

“I don’t know,” Ryder mutters, wiping a tear from his face. The news has already reported that her dad is in the hospital and my dad is responsible because of some bet that went south. None of it makes sense until you add Morgan into the mix. She made them both pay. But I need to find her. I need to make sure she’s okay and that someone didn’t hurt her too.

Ryder stands, shoving off the couch. “She’ll be found when she’s ready.”

Why the fuck didn’t I think of it hours ago? “I know where she is.” I can barely breathe out the words, my mind and feet moving as fast as possible.

“Where?” Ryder yells as he runs behind me.

“Myrtle Grove. At the camp.” That’s where she’s at. That’s where she’ll be. Because that’s where I went. That’s where I waited for her. But she never showed. I will find her and prove that I know her better than she knows herself. And that she’s mine.

* * *

It seems like forever, but about an hour later, we’re on the road that leads behind the row of camps lining the canals. I haven’t been out here since I hid out here all that time ago. Because when I stepped back into my life, nothing was ever the same. My mom was still gone. My dad left. Dustin was my new parent. And Morgan hated me. I won’t leave this place without her again.

Ryder slows the truck way before we arrive at the camp. It’s still a good half mile down the darkened road along the canal before we get to her. “What are you doing?”

“We need to make sure we’re not walking into a trap. What if they turned on her? Or they’re holding her for leverage or money? None of these fuckers can be trusted.”