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“Like pointing a gun to people’s heads?” I ask.
He says nothing.
He doesn’t have to.
I already know Uncle Joe did that himself with Doc Sheraton and Brittany. Brock was there, and he told me.
But Uncle Joe didn’t do it to fund his business. He did it to find out what kind of illegal activity was happening on his property.
“There are things about Brad Steel we’ll never know,” Dad finally says. “Things only he knew. Things that are only in his story. But Uncle Joe and I and our attorneys feel comfortable that our current fortune is clean and was obtained legally.”
I scratch the side of my head. “It just seems like such a big feat, to go from a successful ranching business to having billions.”
“It does. But both your great-grandfather and your grandfather were savvy businessmen as well. Yes, they cut a few ethical corners here and there, but they got things done. And in the end, the money was clean.”
“But Wendy Madigan…”
His face darkens. “Wendy Madigan is another story. Nothing she did was clean. And unfortunately, her blood runs through some of the people of our family.”
“And your father…”
“Yes, my father. Say what you want about Brad Steel, but he was a virtuous man compared to my father, Aunt Ruby’s father, and your grandmother’s brother.”
“Do you ever worry about the genes that we come from?”
Dad shakes his head. “Not anymore, but all I did was worry about it for a while. My father was a complete psychopath, and your grandmother on your mother’s side lived most of her life in a world of her own creation due to her mental illness. But you and the girls and Henry are all bright and healthy and intelligent. So are all your cousins. I’d say we escaped that fate, and I thank God for it.”
“Thanks for explaining it all to me, Dad.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you want to know all of it?”
“I’ve been curious for some time, but yes, there’s a reason.”
“Would you like to tell me what it is?”
I cross my arms. “Not just yet. But I will.”
He smiles. “I’m always here for you, Dave.”
I give him a hug. “I know, Dad.”
I leave then, wondering how I’m going to break it to him that I want to work with Uncle Talon in the orchard…instead of at his side.
Chapter Thirty
Maddie
Lunch with Grayson was fun and easy, so when he asked me to have dinner with him, I figured, what could it hurt?
But when he kissed me on the cheek and said, “Great, I’ll pick you up at seven, and we’ll go into the city,” I wondered if I should have declined.
But I’m going, so we’ll see how it goes.
He’s very handsome, and he’s smart. Of course, I’ve known him for all of five hours.
I have no idea where he’s taking me in the city. It could be something as simple as fast food or something as elegant as the Fortnight.
No, it won’t be the Fortnight. Grayson doesn’t scream money to me. He’s obviously working as a lab assistant, and he mentioned he was on scholarship as well.
