Page 23 of She's a Big Deal

“His lawyers advised him not to talk.”

“I see. And you are his guard dog now?”

“I have my brother’s back, yes.”

“Right. So, you have lawyers. Do you have a good therapist as well?”

“Pfft.” Jermey snorted aggressively. “What the hell for?”

“I’m talking to you, Reece,” Grace said, even as he kept his back to her. God, it was like talking to a sulky child! She went around and forced him to look at her. “You don’t look well.”

“And you look perfect, as usual,” he sneered.

“I’m saying this because I care, okay? Not to fight with you. You should speak to a therapist.”

“No need. I – DID – NOT rape these women, Grace.”

“Okay.” His eyes were flat, his jaw set tight, and she could not read him. It bothered her. Still, he was her brother, and she ached to believe him. Until she heard otherwise, she would give him the benefit of the doubt. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”

“Can’t believe you needed to ask,” he grunted.

She let that one go and spoke to him in a softer tone. In the past, they’d always been close. “Look, brother, I think you should see a—”

“Who asked you for your advice?” Jeremy cut in again.

She glanced at him, irritated. “I’m just trying to help here, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. We don’t need your help. We don’t need you here, period.”

Of the two boys, Jeremy had always been harder to connect to. He was colder and more calculating. He used to always stand on the side of their father, and Grace knew this was not likely to change.

“I was talking to Reece,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, and I am talking to you,sister.” The word sounded harsh and mocking on his lips. “No one in this room cares what you think. In case you didn’t get the memo, you’re no longer a part of this family.”

“Jeremy. That’s enough,” Chloe said in a warning tone.

He ignored her. “We don’t want you sticking your nose into our affairs, business or personal.”

“You talk to me with such animosity.” Grace kept her tone light even as she remarked on it. “Why are you so furious with me, I wonder?” She certainly did take note.

“I absolutely do not trust you, Grace,” he snarled in reply. “Not since you showed such contempt for us, and Mom and Dad, in the first place.”

She would not, could not, leave this unchallenged.

“No contempt. I was cut loose and told to leave.”

“As I’m telling you now. You have no part to play here.”

Well, this was going nowhere. And fast getting boring too.She shrugged.

“Don’t worry; I’m not interested in your private affairs or in stealing the family business. I’ve got plenty of my own to keep me busy and entertained.” This got his back up even more, she could see. Of course, any reminder of her success was likely to. It made her laugh, though it was bitter for her. “What, Jeremy? Are you jealous?”

“Fuck, no,” he spat, but a little too quickly.

“Really?” She quirked a teasing eyebrow. “You seem pretty bothered for a guy who claims not to care.”

“At least you got that right, I don’t give a shit. So, thanks for checking in, but now you can leave. We look after our own here. Protect our people.” His eyes steadied on her face, ice cold and taunting. “If I remember correctly, that’s not something you are very good atyourself.”

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