Beneath the Surface by Kaira Rouda

Author:Kaira Rouda [Rouda, Kaira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

17

RICHARD

When Sibley bursts into the library, I can tell by the look on her face someone has told her my news.

Bad news travels the fastest, I’ve found.

“Daddy,” she says, running to my side. An impressive feat, given the massive waves and her state. Her eyes are shiny. I don’t know what drugs she’s doing, but she’s on something. “You’re dying!”

“We all are, Sib. Calm down,” I say. Beside me, Serena is quiet, cold. “Have a seat. You owe my bride an apology.”

“Sorry,” she says. Serena shakes her head and looks away.

Colson walks through the door, looking like a creep in a scary movie. I swear he still has the knife on him.

“Son, could you leave your weapon in your stateroom from now on?” I say, pointing to his pocket. “You won’t need that here—although apparently, you do wherever you’re from.”

“I’m from Tampa,” Colson says. “I always carry my knife. Sorry you’re dying, man. That’s heavy.”

Serena stands and makes her way to the bar. “Can I get you something, Richard?” I watch her pour champagne.

“Cognac, please,” I say. “Sibley, stop staring at me. We all die sometime.”

“True that,” Colson says. “I’ll try a cognac.”

Serena shoots him a death stare. “Serve yourself.”

Colson shrugs and walks to the bar. “I’ll make you one, too, Sibs.”

“Listen, Daddy, I know I’ve been behaving badly. I didn’t know you were dying. I’ll do better,” she says.

She looks so innocent that it almost makes me want to believe her.

“And, Daddy, before you die you do need to make it right with Cassie,” she says.

Serena places my drink in my hand and then turns to Sibley.

“I’ll say what your dad can’t or won’t, Sibley: your mom was a mistake. Every moment with her. Every part of that relationship. Every part,” Serena says. She takes her seat next to me and sips her champagne.

“How dare you,” Sibley says.

“Now, Serena, that’s not right. The best part of my time with Cassie is Sibley. But I will not be in touch with your mother. She is dead to me,” I say. The girl needs to hear the truth.

“You have so much. You can take care of her. She’s in bad shape,” Sibley says. Colson hands her a drink.

“Maybe we should go,” he says.

“I think that’s a good idea,” I say. It’s the only thing I can imagine agreeing with the creep on. “I’m sorry about your mother, Sibley. But I’m done.”

“No, you’re not. I won’t let you be. She needs help,” Sibley says, her tone menacing, threatening. She frowns at me before turning and walking out the door.

I take a deep breath and consider my options. I suppose I could give Sibley’s mom something in my will. I do have plenty.

“Don’t waver, Richard. You don’t owe Sibley or her mom anything,” Serena says as if reading my mind. “Sibley’s dangerous. Unstable.”

“No, she’s not. But her mom is, and her mom has likely gotten to her. She’s an addict but very compelling when she wants to be; I know from firsthand experience,” I say.

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