Commodore’s power chair stops beside us, and I can’t ask any of the questions swirling in my brain. “Ms. Gable, you’re supposed to be at the resort, where you’ll continue to be a guest for as long as this media circus continues.”

“Are you telling me I can’t leave The Gables?” Jackie asks, her shoulders going back. I recognize her battle posture.

“I’m telling you to be smart with your actions—and your words.”

Jackie’s gaze narrows on him. “And if I want to go home and get back to my normal life instead of hide from this mess?”

“That’s not possible. Security is assigned to your house, and they’re under orders to keep everyone out, including you.”

Oh shit is all I can think when Commodore speaks. This isn’t going to end well.

“Listen to me, old man.” Jackie takes two steps toward him. “If I want to go home, I will.”

Commodore folds his hands in his lap, and instead of yelling, his tone is calmer than ever. “If you want your house to still be standing when this is all over, you won’t defy me. Now, go back to work.”

Jackie’s mouth drops open, and I’m sure my face looks the same. “What are you going to do? Burn it down like you did the family farm?”

Commodore’s expression betrays nothing, but his words reveal all. “I didn’t need to burn down the farm when your brother did it himself out of spite.”

“I don’t believe you,” Jackie snaps as Lincoln’s grandfather’s accusation burns in my brain.

My dad burned down the farm? And then blamed the Riscoffs?

I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I am. All these years, I’ve thought one thing, and it turns out that the truth is the opposite of what I thought.

“I don’t give a damn what you believe, Ms. Gable,” Commodore says as he rolls around Jackie. “It doesn’t change the truth. Don’t be stupid. You have a great job and an extended invitation to live in luxury. Accept it and don’t argue.”

Jackie’s jaw tightens, and I know she wants to go ballistic on Commodore, but somehow she keeps herself together. To Commodore’s back, she says, “I don’t take orders from you, Mr. Riscoff. I never have and never will. Whatever I choose to do will be my decision.” Her gaze flicks to me. “Whit, we need to talk. Now.”

Commodore spins around in his chair with a quiet buzz. “Your niece is under the protection of my family. If you have information that impacts the situation, I need to know.” His dark gaze moves between Jackie and me, as though he’s ready to start an interrogation.

“Enough,” Lincoln says. “We’ll have this conversation privately. Not here. Not now. Let’s go.”

“This can’t wait,” Jackie says.

Commodore crosses his arms over his chest. “Then tell us all.”

Jackie looks around the room, and Lincoln’s right. We have a small audience, and whatever Jackie is going to say, now isn’t the time. However, that doesn’t stop her from delivering a message I don’t want to hear.