Page 80 of Redemption

But there are several sets of footsteps approaching my bedroom. Mum isn’t alone.

I surge out of bed and quickly find my sweatpants, tugging them on to cover my nakedness.

“Who is that?” Abigail asks, her voice touched with alarm.

“Stay in here,” I command.

I don’t have time to explain.

I dart out of the bedroom and shut the door behind me, shielding Abigail from my family.

Dread is a lead weight in my stomach when I see both of my parents, flanked by my traitorous brother. I glower at him, and my fists clench at my sides.

“What the fuck, James? You said you wouldn’t tell them I’m here.”

His mouth is set in a grim line when he comes to a stop a few feet away from me. Just out of punching distance.

“That was before I knew you’d kidnapped Abigail.”

“What?” The question is a touch breathless.

How can he know?

He sneers at me. “Do you think you have the monopoly on depravity in this family? And did you really think that mask was enough to conceal your identity last night?”

I rake a hand through my hair. This can’t be happening.

“I heard her say that you kidnapped her. I heard her scream.”

“Everyone else there knew it was just a game,” I growl.

“They didn’t see her after she wrecked my Jeep,” he informs me coldly. “She was clearly desperate to get away from you that day. I thought you must’ve had a bad argument, but when I saw her last night, I finally got the full picture.”

I fix him with the full force of my loathing. “Why couldn’t you just ask us about this last night? Why didn’t you talk to me about it like a man instead of tattling on me to our parents?”

James scoffs. “You had clearly coerced her into being at that party. I couldn’t trust a word you said. And you carried her off somewhere before I could approach you. You left me with no choice.”

I bare my teeth at him. “You didn’t have to callthem.You still could’ve come here on your own to ask me about it.”

He shakes his head. “I am not Lord of this house yet. Dad is the one with the power to kick you out.”

“What have you done this time, Daniel?” My mother demands shrilly. “And what on earth was that party you went to?” She rounds on James, including him in her censure. “Am I right in understanding that both of my sons attended some sort of sordid function last night? That you put the family name at risk of public scandal?”

James waves in dismissal, even though his cheeks flush. “Everyone was wearing masks,” he says quickly. “We don’t need to go into the details.”

She narrows her pale blue eyes at him. “We will return to this conversation later.” Her sharp gaze pins me again. “Explain yourself. Where is the woman you’ve supposedly kidnapped? Will she go quietly if we pay her? How much will your latest depravity cost this family?”

“I don’t want your money,” I bark. “I never have.”

My father speaks up for the first time, his words slurring slightly from his chronic alcoholism. “We’ll bail you out if we must,” he asserts. “Just like all the other times. This will not get into the news cycle. You’re still a Graham.”

The prospect of accepting anything from them raises my ire. Especially when my father is the one talking about bailing me out. Just like all the times he’s been bailed out of sticky situations to escape punishment for his crimes.

“I am not part of this family,” I seethe. “I gave up the title.”

“And yet, here you are,” Mum accuses. “Making yourself at home like the manor belongs to you. You’re either in or you’re out, Daniel. You’ve chosen to come back in. That means your actions reflect badly on the family. You will accept our money to pay off this woman. Make her go away.”

“Abigail isn’t going anywhere!” I thunder.

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