Page 83 of In Step

Gerald hesitated, clearly caught off guard, although he quickly hid it. “You’re lying.”

Kane snorted. “Think what you like. You didn’t know your wife as well as you thought you did. She hid lots of stuff from you. She didn’t give a fuck I was gay. In fact, that’s why she left me her share of the farm. She hated you that much.”

It was all I could do not to laugh. I knew Kane had no fucking idea if that was why his mother left him her share, but his father didn’t know that.

“You’re fucking lying,” Gerald fumed, spittle flying. “She would’ve told me if you were a fag. She felt the same as I did. Disgusted.”

“But that’s where you’re wrong,Dad.” Kane’s chin lifted in something so close to pride I wanted to fucking hug him. “It was you who disgusted her. She loved me.”

Gerald stabbed a finger toward Kane. “I should’ve listened to my gut. I knew there was something wrong with you.”

“Shut your mouth.” I started forward, but Kane stopped me with an outstretched arm and stared his father down.

“This is private property. I suggest you leave.”

“Nothing says I can’t visit myson.Try and talk some sense into him. Maybe save him some trouble down the road.”

“What trouble?” Kane scoffed. “You’re the only one in trouble, arsehole.”

Gerald’s gaze narrowed at the insult, and I figured Kane didn’t stand up to his father very often, but right then, indignation and fury were rolling off Kane in palpable waves. Gerald Martin had underestimated his son, and I saw by the sudden wariness in his eyes that he was beginning to realise that.

Kane took another step forward. “How does it feel to not have all the control for once? You might not have known I was gay, but I’ve always known exactly what you were. An abusive, small-minded coward who took his disappointment in life out on his wife and his son and daughter, blaming everyone except himself for the fuck-up he made of his life.”

Gerald’s eyes bulged and he took a step closer to Kane, raising his voice. “You know nothing about your mother and me—”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Kane interrupted, shouting his father down, and I got ready to step in. “I don’t know if you ever hit her or not, but I do remember the fights, the horrible shit you called her, and the careful way she watched you and tried to protect us. You weren’t a husband to her. You were just another fucking child in the house throwing tantrums and demanding attention. And she’d still be here today if you looked after your fucking farm equipment like you should have. Mum complained for over six months about the brakes on that quad and the way it pulled to the right.”

Gerald blanched. “That had nothing to do with me. I told her not to ride until I got it fixed.”

Kane’s hands fisted at his sides. “Liar. I was there that day. I heard you tell her to bring the bulls in from the back field, all the way up that fucking track in the pouring rain. There was only one way to get there. The quad. She was your wife, you motherfucker, andourmother, and you were as much responsible for her death that day as the rain and that damn quad. Maybe more. I don’t know how you can live with yourself.”

“What the hell’s going on?” Leroy appeared in the doorway with Fox on his shoulder. “Sounds like a bar brawl up here, and we found Bossy here on our front step. Who’s this?” He glared at Gerald.

I grabbed Bossy from Leroy, and Tank from where he was cowering by the bed, and shut them both in the bathroom, while Kane covered the introductions through gritted teeth.

Leroy cast an eye over the older man and grunted. “Yeah, I recognise you. Only back then I didn’t know just what a piece of shit you were.”

Gerald’s flat gaze flicked between Leroy and Fox, lingering on Fox who matched him in size but was clearly a lot fitter. “Yeah, and I heard aboutyou.” He sneered at Leroy. “Gone the same way as your brother. Still, what do you expect? Look at your mother.”

“Shut your fucking face.” Leroy lurched forward with his fist drawn back, but Fox grabbed him around the waist.

“You need to leave, now.” Fox eyeballed Gerald. “Or we’re calling the police. We’ve got you on our security camera. You’re not welcome on this property,ever, so stay the fuck away.”

Leroy wriggled free of Fox’s hold and added, “And that includes the wharf, arsehole, so you better find somewhere else to launch your boat, and good luck with that after we put some calls in.”

Gerald’s furious gaze swept the four of us, clearly bristling for a fight, but he eventually took a step back. “This isn’t finished.” He glared at Kane, who’d returned to my side. “I’m not signing that agreement. You’re not getting a cent of my money. Your mother should never have left it to you, and the courts will see it my way. You wait and see.” He glanced at the closed bathroom door. “I should’ve drowned those rats when I had the chance.”

“You piece of shit.” Kane launched himself at his father, adrenaline unleashing something powerful in that slender body.

Leroy beat me to it, catching Kane just in time, while Fox put a tight restraining hold on Gerald’s arm.

“Take your hands off me.” Gerald wrestled to get free, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

Kane strained against Leroy’s hold, getting right up in his father’s face. “You touch Bossy or any animal on this property and I’ll fucking have you.”

“I’m not selling.” Gerald lunged again for Kane but Fox hauled him back.

And that was it. I was so done with this fucker. I grabbed Gerald’s other arm, nodded to Fox, and we hauled him out of the bedsit and down the stairs with Kane following.

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