Page 77 of Heart Sick Hate

Adam ignores the sarcasm in my tone, turning to face me again. “What are your plans with her?”

“Is Dad asking or Rhett?”

“I am.”

He sounds like he actually means it, and it makes me wonder what, if anything, he’s told my father about my forbidden obsession.

“We both know her relationship with Rhett is bullshit. So what does it matter?”

Adam hums, running his hand over the bottom edge of a framed photo of one of the first tattoos I ever did. “Appearances, Crew. Not that I should expect you to care about those.”

“Why do you?”

Adam straightens the frame, fixing his stormy gray gaze on me.

“You think you’re free from your obligations because you walked away and got distracted with this little shop of yours. But you can’t deny the truth. You’re a Kingsley whether you like it or not. And with that name comes responsibilities. Like pretending to care that your brother just got shot, or that someone’s been funneling money from the church.”

“What do you mean someone’s funneling money?”

“Exactly what I said.” His jaw ticks. “If you’d have answered your phone, you would know that. This isn’t just about Rhett and his relationship with his girlfriend. Someone is after what our family has been building. And if you don’t care about that, maybe you’ll care about this—they’re after what Echo’s father’s been building. Think she’ll be happy about that?”

I clench my fists at my sides.

“Didn’t think so.” Adam huffs. “The last thing this family needs right now is more heat, especially from the inside.So if you’re fucking her just to give the middle finger to Rhett, knock it off and find someone else to distract yourself with.”

“And what if that’s not why?”

I’m not sure what compels me to ask. The question tells Adam way too much. But the fact that he’s here means he already suspects something more, so there’s no real use in trying to hide it.

Adam walks toward me, stopping a few feet away. “If that’s the case, then you need to be smart and learn how to play the fucking game.”

It almost sounds like he’s encouraging me, which would be odd considering Adam is the careful brother.

“What are you saying?”

Adam brushes his hands over the front of his suit jacket. “Everything comes to light eventually. If you keep this up, it will hurt Rhett. And worse, it will hurt her. She’s sweet, innocent,the preacher’s daughter.”

He’s right, and my stomach sinks at his reasoning.

“Unless…” Adam lets out a long exhale. “You both face it before that happens. Make the decision and cut the ties that make this messy.”

“She’s staying with him.”

“I’m aware.” Adam’s gaze narrows. “But is that what she really wants?”

“No.” Doesn’t matter what she tells me, I know I’m right.

“Then do something about it, Crew, before this spirals more out of control. I have enough to clean up right now between Rhett and the family business, without you adding fuel to the fire.”

He turns to walk away.

“Adam.”

He pauses.

“Why aren’t you just telling me to stay the fuck away from her?”

It’s no secret Adam likes things clean. And once a line is drawn, he expects it to stay there.

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