Page 123 of Dust to Dust

“Yes, Ms. Vaughn. It’s come to our attention that a rather large sum of money has been passing between our younger brother and yourself.” What little color was left in Isla’s cheeks drained from her face while her pulse sped up in her neck. At the physical manifestation of her guilt, my heart sank further while my fists clenched at my sides.

After Isla swallowed, Callum leaned forward in his chair. “A sum of money he hasn’t been honest with when it comes to the business.”

Isla’s blue eyes widened. “I don’t know anything about the money, I swear.”

“But he has been spending cash on your company, correct?”

Isla locked her sorrowful gaze on mine before slowly nodding. “Yes,” she murmured.

My heart constricted in my chest like a vise. Although hurt, anger roared through me, causing my fists to clench at my sides. The first woman I’d cared about since the bomb was fucking my brother.

Not only was she fucking my brother, but she was playing me like a fool.

The monster within me snarled to be freed. To inflict physical pain on Isla that mirrored my emotional pain.

At Dare’s low growl, Callum leaned forward in his chair. “Normally, I don’t give two fucks whose dick you dancers are riding, including my brothers. But you see, Ms. Vaughn, Kellan isn’t cut like the rest of us?—”

“No, he isn’t.” At Callum’s sharp intake of breath about being interrupted, Isla rushed on. “He is one of the kindest, most generous men I’ve ever met in my life.”

“It’s his generosity that has us concerned.”

“I don’t understand.”

With a roll of his eyes, Dare growled, “Quit with the innocent act. You know exactly what you’re doing to him, you heartless bitch.”

At Isla’s horrified gasp, Callum held up his hand. “Keep yer fuckin’ trap shut,” he ordered Dare. While Dare glowered at Callum’s admonishment, he eased back to lean against the desk.

“The next question I ask you better answer with complete and total honesty.” His eyes narrowed. “Your life depends on it.”

“Y-Yes, S-Sir,” she croaked.

“Are you fucking our brother?”

As a shriek escaped Isla’s lips, crimson shot across her cheeks and then streaked down her neck. “N-No.” After a moment of her chest heaving to catch her breath, she furiously shook her head. “It’s not like that with Kellan and me.”

“What is it exactly?” Callum demanded.

“We’ve never been physically intimate in any way. Ever. ” Isla turned her gaze to mine. “You’re the only man I care for, Quinn. I swear.”

At the absolute truth reflected in her sapphire eyes, the tightness in my chest receded. She hadn’t been playing me for a fool while fucking my brother behind my back.

As much as I wanted to let her off the hook, the issue of her taking Kellan’s money remained.

Callum appeared to be weighing her words. After a few moments, he cocked his head. “Then enlighten us, Ms. Vaughn. If the two of you aren’t fucking, what is it that you are doing with my brother that ends with a financial transaction?”

“I promised not to tell,” she protested.

At Callum’s growl, Quinn stepped forward. “Isla, I know you want to be honorable to Kellan, but he’s in serious trouble at the moment. The more we know before we have to speak to him the better.”

Isla stared intently into my eyes before she finally bobbed her head. “We just talk.”

“Like dirty shit?” Dare questioned.

Isla ducked her head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s very innocent.”

“You seriously expect me to believe that my brother buys your time to merely talk?” Callum countered.

“I swear it on the saints,” she replied.

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