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Raven dragged in a lungful of air "The Pierce brothers Their ot him killed"

Her aunt jerked back with shock "No, that’s impossible," she est There’s Cal, the oldest, and Tristan, and Dalton They came into my bar on the anniversary of Papa’s death I had no idea, they were in pain and got drunk on JD, and when I heard their last naet out--I never wanted to see theirl, I’m so sorry Why didn’t you call otten through the anger and revenge fantasies, and suddenlyrestoration on et ready for the feature in Good Food and Fine Spirits I told you about For those feeeks, we ended up getting closer, which only got ain I decided it was an opportunity to find out more about the Pierce brothers About the o back there, Raven," she said quietly "It al Dalton?"

"I don’t know! I thought I’d prove Diane Pierce was using Papa, and that he never planned to run aith her I figured I’d end up disliking Dalton and the rest of the about them for years--that their mother was a spoiled, rich,about her children"

"Is that what you found?"

Raven glared "No No! So far, from the stories Dalton’s told me, she sounds--nice Like she cared about her boys But that doesn’t et away from her husband Dalton said his father was brutal Maybe he hit her? Abused her? Maybe she needed Papa to help her escape?"

Aunt Penny rose and sat beside her, taking her hands "Raven, do you see what you’re doing? Torturing yourself about things on’t ever know Are you sleeping with Dalton?"

She nodded, ht it, but I eak But how can I do this, Aunt Penny? I’s I’ve never experienced before, which is ridiculous because he’s a woet bored in record time and leave ave a long sigh "You need to tell Dalton the truth, especially now that you slept together It’s not fair to him"

"What about the way his fas About how he just wantedaway Stores stopped selling his paintings because they ruined his reputation with no regard for the truth I had no power back then, and I let thee Don’t I deserve my turn at justice?"

"To do what, child? Hurt back? Justice doesn’t bring back your father Those boys were just like you--vulnerable and feeling betrayed They were young and their beloved mother was killed They struck out, but they were probably led by Christian Pierce Listen to edy, but there werethings you didn’t know about his?"

Her aunt ducked her head for a"He was completely devoted to you, like no other father I’d ever seen He see any female into his life after your mother passed, and was co a lot back then, but I remember when he called me in London He said he’d met someone Soe his existence, but he had to move carefully He never talked like that before There was a depth of emotion in his voice he only used for two people You and your mother"

"You think it was her? Diane Pierce?"

"Yes, I do I suspected then that this woman was married, but he wouldn’t answer any of ut "He left me, Aunt Penny He left me for this woone forever I thought we had soh to say good-bye to"

Her aunt snapped her voice like a whip "Now, you listen tolady I’ve told you this over and over Your father called me to stay with you for a few days He wouldn’t tell me why, but I know in my heart and soul that man would’ve never left you You were his whole life He was co back for you, and it’s time you finally believe this, because it’s the only truth that makes sense"