Page 71 of Destiny Reclaimed
Arthur stood in response as he blew out a breath. He didn’t have time for his wife’s imbecile brother.
“We need to have a chat,” Gary said flatly.
He should have killed this idiot when he had the chance.
“What’s on your mind, Gary?”
Arthur nearly laughed at his question. The war had screwed the guy up pretty good, physically and mentally. He’d been happy to learn his brother-in-law couldn’t remember anything about theincidentthat bought him his ticket out of Nam.Traumatic amnesia. His secret was safe where Gary was concerned. Even if the man did eventually piece together the time travel episode, nobody would believe him, especially when you add in his mental struggles caused by the war. The man couldn’t hold a coherent thought to save his life. To the layman, he appeared crazy.
“I know what you did,” Gary said.
Anger cracked through him like a whip. Had his spouse told him or had his son?
“Really. And what’s that?” Arthur asked just to make sure he was on the right track hoping he was wrong about his family blabbing their business. If this was the case, he’d surely have a chat with his lovely wife and boy.
“I died in Vietnam. I know you know that.”
Shock jolted him back a step. This really wasn’t what he’d expected to hear. Arthur shifted from one foot to the other then stopped himself. He needed to get ahead of this—play this cool. The man was weak, it shouldn’t be difficult to spin this around.Think!
“Ah, you’re standing right here in front of me alive and well.”
Gary took a couple of steps toward him, within arm’s reach. “You had a little something to do with that didn’t you?”
Heat radiated Arthur’s body, and he willed himself to stay calm, but his brother-in-law’s knowing glare made it difficult. The only way out of this conversation at present was to go for the throat. Hit Gary where he was the weakest. His mind—soul. “Everyone’s right. You are crazy. You need help.”
The man’s whole body tensed, and his hands fisted at his sides. With another simple little nudge, he could probably push his dear wife’s brother over the edge.
“It’s okay, buddy, not everyone handles the stress of war as well as others. Most soldiers come back changed. Some stronger, someweaker. We’ll get you the help you need.”
His brother-in-law leaned in, and his intense stare bore into him. “So true. I think war steals a man’s soul, and you never really get it back.” Gary stepped closer.
They were nose to nose, but Arthur refused to pull away—refused to be intimidated.
“But, for those who went in without a soul to begin with, there’s no worries, no remorse. Right, buddy?” Gary added in a controlled tone.
Oddly, the plan to shake the man wasn’t working at all. Certainly not what he’d expected.
His brother-in-law cocked his head to the side, took a couple of steps back, then sat in one of the high-back leather chairs. He crossed his legs and leaned back comfortably as his lips drew into a slight smile.
He gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the end table. “Have a seat, my friend. You’re going to need it.”
Adrenaline rushed Arthur’s veins. His wife’s idiot twin had gained control of himself, and the man’s comfort level let him know there wasn’t much he’d be able to do about it to manipulate him. He’d have to play this out all the while hoping for an opportunity to strike.
Arthur sat and crossed his legs, matching his brother-in-law’s body language, setting himself up to regain the upper hand, or at least get back on the same level. This wasn’t a position he was used to being in and he didn’t like it.
“The way I see it. I’ve got nothing to lose.” Gary shifted his gaze to the shadow box of medals. “But you,youhave everything to lose.”
Arthur’s heart thudded, but he refused to let the man know the effect his comments had on him. He leaned back in an effort to relax his stiff spine.
“Really?”
“How do you think my sister is going to feel knowing the truth. The truth that you tried to kill Jack, her real husband? The truth that those medals on the wall are his, not yours. The truth that Blake is not your son but his. The truth that the life she’s living with you is not her real destiny.”
Arthur gripped the arms of the chair to keep from exposing his shaky fingers. Then, he forced a chuckle. “Right. Like she’s going to believe all that. You’ve gone mad.”
The calm man uncrossed his legs, planted his elbows on his thighs, and then clamped tighter onto his gaze. “There’s a bond between twins. I know most people don’t believe that, but there is. We can darn near see into each other’s souls. Sometimes, even read each other’s minds. She’ll believe me when I tell her.”
Arthur’s heart rate kicked up a notch. He drew in a slow breath in an effort to calm it before he spoke. “Gary, Gary, Gary.” He gave a shake of his head. “You poor thing. This little fantasy world you’re creating is only going to substantiate to everyone you need help. This conversation is over, and you need to leave. If you know what’s good for you, Gwendoline, and Blake, you’ll leave now and give up on this charade.”
