Page 81 of Redemption

James is the only one with the good sense to take a step back from my volatility.

My mother and father remain coolly composed, completely unruffled by my uncharacteristic outburst. As though I’m still a child, and I’m incapable of controlling myself.

The awful memories that unlocked when I found Abigail bleeding in the wrecked Jeep rise up to take hold of my mind, my tongue.

“You think you can buy your way out of everything,” I hiss at my father. “Just like you bribed the police not to arrest you for killing Katie. You murdered my sister, and you never paid for it.”

“Daniel!” Mum’s tone is a sharp rebuke. “You know we don’t say that name in this house. It upsets your father.”

“And you.” I narrow my eyes at her. “You thought you could just replace my twin with another spare? Withhim?” I gesture sharply at James, and he pales.

“Let’s just take a moment,” he cajoles. “We can all have a cup of tea and talk about this rationally.”

I bark a bitter laugh. “You think tea is going to help fix this? My sister is dead because of them. I watched her die. I was trapped with her dead body for hours, and none of you ever gave a shit.”

“Really, Daniel.” My mother sounds scandalized. “There’s no need to make a scene. That was years ago. You’re not a child anymore.”

“I hate you.” My tone goes cold and flat. “I thought I felt nothing for you at all, but I truly hate you. Stay the fuck away from me.”

“You’re the one who came back,” my father reminds me with a scowl. “We didn’t invite you here.”

“I’m leaving,” I snap. “I never want to see any of you ever again.”

“I don’t think so,” Mum refuses. “You brought this mess to our doorstep. We’re going to clean it up before anyone finds out what you’ve done. Now, where is this woman you’ve kidnapped?”

She says it with irritation, not horror. She’s not remotely surprised or bothered by the fact that I could commit such a crime. It’s simply the optics she’s worried about.

Everything for appearances.

“I’m right here.”

I whirl and find Abigail standing in the open doorway to my bedroom.

“You can’t be out here,” I say, gentling my tone when I address her. “Go back inside. I’ll handle this.”

The last thing I want is to subject her to the cruelty of my relatives. She’s already suffered so much at the hands of her own parents. I’ll shield her from mine.

My brave, stubborn Abigail lifts her chin and steps up beside me. She fixes my family with an imperious stare and takes my hand in hers.

“I’m with Dane willingly,” she asserts.

My heart skips a beat.

Last night, she gave herself to me willingly, but until this moment, I wasn’t sure of her loyalty. I wasn’t certain that she wouldn’t try to leave me again if she had the opportunity to be free of me.

I never intended to give her that choice, but I still didn’t know if she would challenge me over it.

“I’m sorry we came here unannounced.” Her voice is frosty as she continues to address my parents. She’s perfectly poised and icily polite. “We’ll leave now.”

“Wait just a minute!” Mum insists, bristling at the challenge. “My son isn’t going anywhere.” She looks at me again, eyes glittering with accusation. “Do you know how difficult it’s been to excuse your absence for all these years? To conceal our estrangement? You’ve come home, and now you’re staying.”

“You’re distressed,” Abigail remarks coolly. “I understand. It must be very difficult to have a son who hates you. Maybe you should go have that cup of tea while we pack. I’ve heard it’s good for the nerves.”

My mother’s face has gone beet red, and she splutters, “You… How dare… In my own home?”

“Americans.” My father spits out the word like a curse, a condemnation. “Bloody upstarts.”

“Yes, I’m sure we’ll all be happy to part ways,” Abigail continues smoothly. “Dane and I just need a few minutes to collect our things. Then we’ll be out of your hair.” She pointedly glances at my father’s balding head.

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