“I don’t know, honey. I truly don’t.”
I whip my head sideways, almost cracking skulls with Keira. “But Mount knew. Didn’t he?”
“Temp—”
I cut off whatever she’s about to say. “Don’t you come here and give me some bullshit story.He had to know. He knows everything.”
Keira swallows, pity creasing her features. “He hasn’t told me anything. I swear it to you on my life. Lachlan could’ve known, but he would never tell me. I don’t even know who gave you a building.”
I stare at her in shock.She doesn’t know who Kane is?How is that even possible?
Mount.Mount is the reason for all of this.
Every bit of pain I’m feeling right now can be laid at his doorstep for sending Kane into my life. But I can’t hate Keira for that. She didn’t do anything wrong—except marry the devil.
“Mount had to know everything.”
Keira closes her eyes for a beat. “You’re probably right. He probably knew. There’s very little he doesn’t know. However, there’s a lot he doesn’t share, and always for good reason.”
“I hate him!” The words come out a raw roar. “I fucking hate them all.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Temperance. So sorry.”
Shredded inside, I drop my gaze back to the paper on the floor. “I want answers.”
“I know you do, and I can’t give you what I don’t have.”
“He told me he wouldn’t do it,” I whisper, even though she has no idea who I’m talking about. “How could he do it?”
“I don’t know.”
I reach for the paper and crush it in my hands. “I feel so fucking stupid. I trusted ahit man. Who does that?”
Keira stays silent beside me, either because now she knows who I’m talking about, or because she trusts the man who orders hit men to pull the trigger. Either way, it doesn’t change anything.
“I can’t get over feeling so stupid. Like I brought this on myself. If I’d just—”
“Shh.” Keira interrupts. “You can’t relive it over and over, thinkingwhat if?”
I turn to meet her gaze. “I know. I just wish ...” I shake my head and look down again. I can’t face her pity. It’s too heavy.
I clear my throat. “When do you need me to come back to work? I know I’ve taken more time than I should have.” Even as I make the offer, I cringe at the thought of going back and facing everyone.
“Don’t worry about that. Take all the time you need. I hired someone to help out, and things are going fine. You don’t need to worry about anything but you.”
“Are you sure?” Relief rolls through me.
“Yes. Absolutely. Seven Sinners isn’t going anywhere. Is there anything you need? Anything at all I can do to help?”
I’m quiet for several beats.
“I want to talk to Mount.” I lock eyes with Keira. “I need to talk to Mount.”
After a few moments, she replies quietly, “Then I’ll make it happen.”
3
Temperance