Page 120 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

“You’re sure?”

He nodded. “We suspect she was the one to file a few of the anonymous complaints about the director.”

Anonymous. Hazel had probably been too nervous about losing her job and access to the kids to file with her name on them.

“When the complaints didn’t go anywhere, she started using her personal funds to supplement the food budget. Hazel’s parents wired her money for years. The money stopped the day Thea turned eighteen and left the orphanage.”

I went back to the file, thumbing through the rest. There wasn’t much. Just a picture of a seedy apartment complex where Thea had moved after the orphanage. Another of the outside of the hotel where we’d met. All landmarks that gave me a glimpse into the life she’d led before.

She was too good for it all.

I handed Dad back the file before I could rip it in half. “You had your investigator go deep.”

“He always does. Hell, I doubt Thea even knows some of the things in his report. She’s probably never seen her hospital records.”

She probably didn’t know how close she’d been to death. Hazel had been right the first day I’d met her. Thea had been fighting her whole life.

“What do you want me to do with all this, Dad? It doesn’t change anything.” I looked him in the eye. “I love her.”

“I know.” He nodded. “I admire Thea for making something of her life. Over half the other kids in this picture are strung out on drugs, in jail or dead. But before you decide to marry her, ask yourself if that’s right for her. It seems to me she worked hard to get away from her old life. Will she be happy coming back here for yours?”

“She could be.” I could make her happy here.

“Maybe. But if not, what then? You two get divorced and she takes Charlie back to Montana. Where does that leave you?”

In the same place I was now—two thousand miles away from my daughter. “I could leave New York.”

It wasn’t the first time the idea had crossed my mind, but it was the first time I’d said it out loud. The words tasted bitter and my stomach churned.

“Not an option,” Dad declared. “You can’t abandon your responsibilities to this family. Before too long, I’m handing everything over to you and Aubrey.”

I’d always known his position at the head of the Kendrick family would one day be mine. And though Aubrey might run the business side of things, we all knew I was the one who’d fill Dad’s shoes as leader.

I’d be the one to solve problems or family disputes. I’d oversee the foundation. I’d ensure all of the Kendricks got their fair share. Aubrey would manage the business. I’d get everything else.

Dad was right. Leaving New York wasn’t an option. I couldn’t just quit my job at the firm; partners were owners too. Plus, I couldn’t shirk my responsibilities with the family.

“Is this all? I need to get back to Thea and Charlie.” The urge to convince Thea to move was stronger than ever. When Dad nodded, I started for the door.

“Oh, and Logan?” he called, causing me to pause and glance back. “I’m sorry about tonight. Your mother and I will do better tomorrow.”

“I’d appreciate that.” I turned again but stopped as Sofia hurried into the office.

“Logan?” Her eyes were puffy from crying. Her shoulders were hunched forward and her eyes downtrodden. It was the innocent, “poor me” look she’d perfected by thirteen. “Did you really mean it when you said you’d take away my money?”

No. But I was still pissed she’d brought Alice up here just to cause drama, so I wasn’t going to tell her that tonight. “You went too far.”

She sniffled. “I’m sorry.”

“Are you? You and your friend condemned Thea because of her profession. Ironic, considering you’ve never had one. Maybe if you actually had to get a job, you’d appreciate the money you were born into.”

Something I’d make sure Charlie knew was a privilege, not a right. My daughter would value the trust fund I’d set up for her weeks ago. Though, I doubted I’d be the one to teach her that lesson. Thea would do a better job than I ever could. After all, she actually knew what it was like to go without.

“You’re serious?” Sofia’s jaw dropped. “You’d really cut me off?”

I shrugged. “I guess that depends on you. Grow up, Sofia.”

With that parting shot, I left her standing with her mouth agape in the office and darted down the hall. I opened the back door to the patio, finally escaping the house, but was stopped short when I spotted Granny sitting on a rocking bench by the pool.