“I guess he figured he was entitled. Buckley was a mobster with a big bank account and killer good looks.” He stroked his jaw. “Momma used to say I was his spittin’ image.”
“You are. I saw pictures of your father when he was a younger man—the two of you could be twins.”
He winced.
Jane hadn’t meant to hurt him. She wondered if Byron worried about following in his father’s footsteps in more ways than one. She’d never seen him like this, drunk and troubled, with an edge of anger. Whatever he was holding back had to be awful.
“Anyhow, Loretta had enough of his bullshit and decided to leave him for another man, Joker.”
Jane was familiar with the story since she’d been the MC’s attorney.
“I heard the rumor. Joker was Axel and Ryker’s father.”
The brothers were members of the Four Horsemen MC. Joker had wound up in jail, just like Buckley, only Joker had been murdered by another inmate years ago. No one knew who killed him. Some people said a rival biker gang, the Raptors, did it, but Jane’s money was on Buckley. As a Dixie Mafia member, he still had power, even on the inside.
“Loretta and Joker were gonna run off together. He planned to join the Raptors for protection, and they’d leave behind the outfit, the club, and their children too.”
“How did you find out?” She doubted Joker or Loretta would share it with him.
“My mother kept a journal. I found it after her death.” Byron lit a cigarette and sucked in the smoke.
It must’ve been painful, finding out his mother would’ve left him either way. It’d taken Jane a while to come to grips with Gail bailing on her. Her father had been devastated by the loss too.
“I doubt your father would’ve let her keep the children. She probably did it to save herself. He had money and contacts, and even if she’d made off with you and your siblings, Buckley wouldn’t have let it go. He’d have used a custody suit to punish her—if he didn’t decide to do something nefarious instead.”
Frankly, Jane wouldn’t have put it past him to murder them all, his children as well as his wife and her lover, in a jealous rage.
“Aw, don’t sugarcoat it. I figured it out on my own.”
“Figured out what?”
“My mother knew I was a bad seed—my father’s son—and she was right.”
“I don’t think so.” Although, until a few days ago, Jane might’ve agreed with his assessment.
“Yeah, well, you don’t know the real me, darlin’.”
“Don’t be stupid, of course I do. I’ve examined every record I could get my hands on, and I’ve watched you for months.” She bit her lip. “Since this whole thing started, you’ve shown me who you really are. The things you do aren’t legal, some of them are downright despicable, but I don’t think you’re a terrible person.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Wanna bet?”
Jane lifted her chin. “Yes.”
“I helped the bastard bury her.”
Her mouth fell open.
“I was on the other side of the door when he shot her. I was up to my ankles in her blood.”
Jane felt queasy.
“So, yeah, I’m a real prince. I helped him cover up the murder of my own mother. I’m such a loyal son—to one parent, at least.” His chuckle was dark, and it sent shivers cascading up her spine.
“This isn’t about being a bad seed, or whatever crazy explanation you’ve come up with. You were a child when she was murdered—a killing which you witnessed. Buckley used your terror to coerce you into helping him.”
“Still don’t change the facts.”
“I can tell you loved her.”
“I did. And I hated her after I found out she was gonna leave us. How fucked up is that?” He turned away.
“It’s only natural for your feelings to be mixed, but it doesn’t change the facts—none of this was your fault.”
He shook his head. “I’m a Beauregard—it’s my last name, and the family is my first duty. Buckley always trotted the phrase out, whenever he made me do somethin’ I didn’t want to. And fuck me if I’m not just like him. I spent my whole life hatin’ the son of a bitch, only to turn into him.”
“Other than your looks, you’re nothing like your father. I’ve seen his rap sheet.” From what she could glean, the Dixie Mafia had ratcheted down their body count since Byron had taken over.
He didn’t acknowledge the comment.
“What happened after she died?”
“Things went from bad to worse. My father was a real piece of work, and she wasn’t there to defend us or care for us. I stepped up to help, and I took the brunt of his rage—until they threw his ass in jail.”