A Second Chance at Love: A Hometown Hero Series Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

across Madeline’s cheek so hard that her eye pulsed and throbbed. “You do not speak to me like that in my house, young lady.”
    Madeline had only been struck a handful of times in her life. It was not necessary, for her father could inspire fear and obedience with a look alone. She was shaking from pain and surprise. She lifted a hand to her face, wincing as her fingers connected with the aching flesh.
    “I’m not going to be in your house a moment longer,” she said firmly, pulling on the door handle.
    Kenneth reached above her head and pushed it shut. “Damn sure you will. Diana Samson committed a felony, Madeline. She’s gotten away with it for the last twenty four years, but all that will change unless you lose contact with this family forever.”
    “What?” She shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
    His face, in triumph, was a disgusting sight. “Yes, darling one,” he sneered. “When Diana discovered that her lover was married, and had no plan of acknowledging her, or their bastard, she burned his house down.” He shook his head. “Oh, the family wasn’t home at the time. No one was hurt. But it caused a lot of damage. Arson is a felony offence, Madeline.”
    Could it be true? Diana didn’t seem capable of such vindictive destruction, but then again, she’d been a teenager, very much alone in the world. “So? Even if this is true, that was twenty four years ago. The statute of limitations has run out. What are you going to do? Tell the police about a crime they’re not going to care about?’
    His eyes flashed. “The crime was committed in Wyoming, where Diana is from.”
    “Wyoming?” Madeline shook her head. “No. She’s from Nebraska.”
    “Another lie from a woman who’s a criminal and a slut.”
    Madeline swallowed, as the full force of his information sunk in. “There’s no statute of limitations in Wyoming.”
    “Very good, Madeline,” he snapped sarcastically. “Meaning one phone call from me would have her arrested on felony arson charges. In fact, your precious boyfriend would be the one doing the arresting, wouldn’t he? How do you think he’d feel about that? Do you think he’d still want you, Madeline? Could you look him in the eye, knowing you’d made a choice that would send his mother to prison?”
    Madeline closed her eyes, as nausea gulfed inside her. “Who else knows?”
    “No one. It’s our little secret. It was quite by coincidence I found out. One weekend, my friend came to visit and saw Diana in the town. He got drunk and told me the whole story.”
    “I can’t believe it.”
    “Oh, it’s true.”
    “Why is someone from Wyoming donating to your campaign?” She asked, trying desperately to find a fault with the story.
    “He has significant business interests in Maine.”
    Madeline’s breathing was laboured. She thought of Harrison. Beautiful, kind Harrison; and his mother Diana, who had been more of a mother to her than her own. “Please, daddy. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
    Kenneth looked at her as though she’d turned green and sprouted wings. “No. I want you to be an asset. And marrying some hick cop is a waste of your talents. When you marry, it will be to someone of my choosing. Someone who brings cachet to the family, rather than trashes it.”
    Madeline, always quick with solutions, had nothing to say.
    “I’m asking you, as your daughter, to leave this alone. It’s not your fight. Whatever happened between Diana and your friend is their business.”
    He shook his head, and then walked slowly back to his door. “It became my business the moment you said you wanted to marry the slut’s son. You are my daughter, and I will do everything in my power to protect you, Madeline. So go and tell him you’ve had a change of heart, then forget he exists. I will not hesitate to make that call. You know I’d do it in a New York minute. And I’d even call the attorney general to make sure she got the maximum penalty.”
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