Bitter Truths (The Denton Family Legacy 3)

“I can’t eat.”

“Yes, you can. You’re choosing not to, that’s the difference.” He picked up a triangle sandwich, dipped it into the soup, and took a bite. “It’s not much, but even enemies have to eat.”

“Are you my enemy?” she asked.

“I’m not the one that attacked you. I did everything I could to defend myself.” He held out a sandwich. “Are you my enemy?”

She stared at the sandwich, and then at him. “I don’t know.”

“Well, it’s time for you to find out.” He winked at her, finishing off his sandwich. She did the same, dipping the bread into the soup, and eating it. He wanted to pump the air at the victory. She was eating the food he’d provided her.

“Thank you.”

“So, another identity?” he asked.

“My brother created one for me to use. He always said it was supposed to be used as a backup, and that is why I had it.” She wiped away her tears. “To me, it was an emergency.”

“Did you ever get a good look at the men who entered your home?”

“No. Lionel told me to hide in the closet. I didn’t hear much. I tried to drown it all out. Cover my ears. The usual stuff kids do.” She shrugged. “It sucked. I keep thinking that I can go back, and take them by surprise.”

“Did you even know how to hold a gun then?”

“No. I do now. They wouldn’t get past me now.” She sniffled.

“You fought well.”

“Not that well. I didn’t win.”

“It’s not all about winning, and I’ve been at this a lot longer than you. While most kids are learning to do normal shit like play with boys, and get girls, I was learning to take my place in the Denton household.” Oliver didn’t know where the truth was coming from, only that it was now affecting him.

“This is all true?” She held up the file.

“Yeah, as far as I know. There’s no reason to lie.” He took the file from her hands, and flicked through it. “It hurt Jacob when he found Lionel. He went crazy looking for you, trying to find you.”

“I must have left. What actually happened?” she asked.

“Senior Santos, your father, believed we had a mole in the group, and was feeding information to Coltons.”

“Who are the Coltons?”

“They’re our combined enemy.”

“Oh, so there is an enemy.”

“Yes. They’ve gone to ground for a long time, and my father believed they had learned their lesson.”

“They didn’t?”

“Your family died. We were on the way when everything went silent. Your father thought he’d found the backstabbing bastard. When we got there, your family and guards were all dead.”

“And I was gone?”

“Yeah. Lionel didn’t want you there when it was showdown time. He wanted you to stay with us, but your mother didn’t want you to miss something. I don’t know what.”

“I can’t remember.” She rubbed at her temples. “My head is pounding.”

“You’ve had a long night.”