Page 17 of Fatal Intent
“Tell me the rest of it.”
“One night when I was sixteen years old, my father was drinking heavily. He was angry about an insult his political opponent spouted and took his temper out on us.”
Rayne shuddered. “Dad started on Mom first. I wasn’t home. I’d stayed late at the library to finish a school assignment and walked into World War III when I arrived at home. Dad hadbeaten Mom into unconsciousness in the kitchen. When I came in, he demanded to know where I’d been, then accused me of lying to him when I said the library. He said he knew I’d been out with my boyfriend, and no daughter of his would wind up barefoot and pregnant before she turned eighteen. Dad said his career would be toast if his constituents knew I was sleeping around.”
She wiped at the tears streaking her cheeks. “His accusation was wrong, Grant. I told Dad as much, but he wouldn’t listen. The more I protested, the angrier he became. Since Mom was unconscious, he took his anger and frustration out on me. He punched me over and over. I thought he would kill me before he finished.”
More tears spilled, breaking Grant’s heart. Although he longed to stop the story, Grant sucked it up and kept his mouth shut. He needed the information and had a gut feeling Rayne needed to tell him.
“By that point, I had several cracked ribs and bruises forming all over my torso. When I fought to get away from him, Dad grabbed my blouse. The material ripped.” Rayne swallowed hard, cheeks turning pink. “He froze for a few seconds, staring at my bra, then an ugly light gleamed in his eyes, one I had never seen before. Dad said if I was sleeping with the boys at school, maybe he should sample the goods, too.”
Her voice grew thick. “Despite all the ugly things happening in my home, child molestation was never an issue until that night.”
Fury swept over Grant like a tidal wave. “Your father is lucky he’s already dead,” he said flatly. “I thought you said he never touched you like that.”
“He didn’t until that night. Dad shoved me to the ground, tore my blouse away from my body, then went after my bra. I got lucky with a punch of my own that threw him off me. Becausehe was so drunk, he took a few seconds longer than normal to get back on his feet. When he did, Dad punched me again and knocked me back several feet. I hit the kitchen counter and grabbed the first thing at hand to hold him off. It was a steak knife. Mom had been preparing dinner when Dad came home, got into an argument with her, and attacked her.” She stopped speaking, lost in the past.
“What happened?” Grant prompted.
Rayne blinked. “He lunged forward to grab me and impaled himself on the knife I held. When he fell and didn’t move, I gave him a wide berth and called the police. By the time the officers and ambulance arrived, Dad was dead. He bled out on the floor.”
“What about your mother? Did she survive?”
She nodded. “Mom still won’t talk to me. She tells everyone who will listen that I murdered her husband, that he was a good man and an excellent provider whose life was cut short by an insanely jealous daughter.”
Stunned, Grant sat in silence for a moment. “Even with all the evidence to prove you were defending yourself and her, she blames you?”
Her lips curved in a sad smile. “Mom really wanted to be an important politician’s wife. When I killed my father, I killed her dream. Now all she has left are bitter memories.”
Rayne sighed. “I should go.”
“Not a chance.”
“You can’t want me in your home, Grant. Not after what I just told you.”
“Want to bet?” He cupped her cheeks with his palms. “Listen up, Rayne Weatherly. What you told me in no way changes how I feel about you. In fact, if anything, I admire you more than ever. You had the courage to protect yourself and your mother. If you hadn’t stopped your father, he might have gone after her againand accidentally killed her. You saved your mother’s life. She should thank you, not condemn you.”
Rayne wrapped her arms around Grant and buried her face in his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He held her for a long while until she calmed again. Grant pulled back enough to capture her mouth with his for a long, sizzling kiss. When he lifted his head again, Rayne’s eyes were unfocused.
He smiled. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t know. Ask me again later.”
Grant chuckled. “I’ll make a note to do that.”
“What are we doing, Grant?”
“Exploring the possibility of a relationship.”
Her eyes widened. “Even after I told you what I did to my father, you still want to date me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Why?”
“You’re gorgeous, funny, smart, and put up with my lousy coffee.”
