Page 167 of Take My Hand

He was persistent, I’d give him that. “Just say what you’ve got to say and then leave.”

It was obvious he was about to argue again, but something in my expression must have warned him not to.

“I didn’t want to ask you…” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Tell you like this.”

“What?” I asked impatiently, almost ready to just shove him off my doorstep.

“Your brother needs a kidney, and I was wondering if you’d be willing to donate one of yours.”

Chapter Sixty

Will

If Steven had smacked me around the head, I don’t think I’d have been as dazed as I was by his announcement—or question, whatever it was. I had no idea, but what I did know was that he had a fucking cheek.

“You’ve got some neck on you,” I finally managed to growl. “How fucking dare, you.”

“William, if I hadn’t been desperate… Ifhehadn’t been desperate…”

Shaking my head in disbelief, I moved to shut the door, but he placed a big meaty hand on it.

“Will, please it’s for my son,” he yelled.

I’d been stoic as a kid, never really dwelling on my dad not being around. Never upset or questioning why he didn’t want me in his life. It was what it was, and as far as I was concerned, his loss not mine. Yet, in that moment, listening to him pleading for his son, I knew exactly what rejection felt like. I knew the weight in my heart felt to the point of pain, like I was being crushed. Theemotion I tried to hold back scratched at my throat and made my eyes sting.

Those feelings of loneliness that I’d pushed away as a kid, for fear of appearing weak, now washed over me like a cold, wet fog, making me shiver throughout my whole body. I hated that he’d evoked emotions I’d managed to stave off for years. He had no right to do that. He didn’t deserve it, and I wanted to punch myself for letting him take away my control.

“I don’t give a shit,” I ground out. “Now, get off my fucking property before I call the police,” I leaned into his space, “or worse.”

He tried to hide his anger and disdain, but I saw it. I saw the disappointment that I wasn’t willing to help his precious offspring. That his bastard wouldn’t help the one with his name.

If I’d ever had any regret at saying no, then it disappeared in the split second that a sneer appeared on his lips.

“I told you once,” I said, my tone low and menacing. “And I won’t tell you again.”

He finally got the message and took a step back, leaving me with one last look of pure anger and distaste before I slammed the door. With my chest heaving with the weight of it all, I laid both palms against the wood and rested my forehead, relishing in how the glass cooled my heated skin. My anger was at the point of explosion, with the pressure building in my head and buzzing in my ears. I wanted to rip the door off its hinges and then chase after him and demand to know why he thought he had the right to fuck about with my life.

“Will?” The voice behind me was tentative and quiet, but it still managed to instantly calm me down.

When I felt a hand on my back, I slowly turned around and asked, “Did you hear any of that?”

“Bits.”

Maya’s arm was wrapped around her waist, and there was pain etched across her face, so I put my hand to her back and gently turned her around. “Come on, let’s get you back on the sofa.”

“Will, I’m fine. What did he mean it’s for his son? What is?” She looked over her shoulder and immediately winced. “Tell me.”

“Sit down first.”

I helped her back to the sofa, making sure she was comfortable. Sensing her impatience, I started to talk. “His son needs a kidney and wants me to give it to him.”

“Woah.”

With wide eyes, Maya looked as shocked as I felt. My heart was pounding against my chest as my head tried to unscramble everything that Steven had told me, that he’d asked me for.

“Yeah, I know.” Saying it again didn’t make it sound any better. Didn’t make him sound any less of a wanker for asking, or me a twat for saying no. “Should I have said yes?”

Maya chewed on her lip and shrugged. “My instinct says no, but…”

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