Page 69 of Just Between Us

“Royal. Son.” My father straightened and smoothed a hand down his front. “My sister and I were having a disagreement. I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

Rage bubbled beneath my skin. “I said get away from her.”

Surprise flickered over my father’s face before cool indifference took its place. His hands went up. “Now, son. Let’s talk about this.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” I seethed. My head jutted toward the door. “Get out.”

His eyes flicked over me and paused on the pink cast. He smirked. “What are you going to do? Kick me out of my own house?”

I shook my head. “I don’t care whose name is attached to this house.” I pointed to my aunt. “You know damn well this is her home. She stayed here, forus. When you were too busy with work or women, Bug was the one making sure we were fed and clothed and loved.”

“Please. My children wanted for nothing. I have providedeverythingfor you.” My father sighed and his calm disdain only spurred my anger.

“What we wanted was our mother!” The words were out before I could bite my tongue.

Bug looked on in horror as he shook his head, and his own temper started to build. “How dare you—how dare you speak lovingly of a woman who had everything and wanted more. Not even the children she begged for were enough for her. Thatshould be reason enough to choose me over the memory of an ignorant woman. She left you—all of you.”

“Did she?” I shot back. The accusatory tone of my voice didn’t go unnoticed.

His nostrils flared along with his temper. “Now, Royal, you’re treading on some very dangerous ground. I don’t know what you’re getting at, but she left and didn’t look back.”

I ground my teeth together. “Was that before or after she found out you already had a wife and kids?”

Shock fluttered over his face, and his eyes grew darker. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. How dare you question me.”

“Russell, please.” Bug found her voice and pleaded as my father took another step toward me.

“Get out of this office, Ruth Anne.” My father spat the words in Bug’s direction.

Surprised by the use of her given name, Bug’s eyes flicked between my father and me. Resigned, she lifted her chin and walked toward the office doors. She didn’t glance my way as she sailed past me.

The austere office grew quiet as my father and I waited in a tense standoff.

I gathered my resolve and looked at my father with pity. “For a long time, I truly believed that Mom had abandoned us. I actually believed your lies.” I pointed a finger at the ground. “Now I see the truth. She was the one who got away from you. I will not rest until I find out the truth about what happened to her.”

I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth to keep from breaking down. I was furious, drained, and sick to my stomach.

The cool, detached mask my father had perfected over the years slipped across his features as he smirked. “I welcome the challenge.”

Without another word, my father slipped past me, and I listened as he exited the King estate. When his Porsche rumbled down the driveway, I went in search of my aunt.

I found her in the kitchen, bracing herself against the island with two glasses of lemonade beside her. I stood in the doorway and stared.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Her soft eyes met mine.

I lifted my phone. “You called, I came running.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you.”

In a jerky hobble, I crossed the threshold and pulled my aunt into my arms. She had always been the strongest woman I had ever known, yet she crumbled in my embrace. Her tears flowed, and I simply held her, rubbing her back and making soothing noises.

Finally, when she was wrung out, she lifted her head. “In all my years, my brother has never once raised his voice to me ... let alonethat. It was a side of him I never wanted to believe was there.”

I shook my head. “You’re lucky then. We’ve all been getting glimpses of his anger for years.” I exhaled and dragged a hand through my hair. “What the hell happened?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. He was acting strangely—asking questions about your brother JP, the Sullivans—questions I couldn’t answer. He was very upset.”

“He wasunhinged. You aren’t safe here.” I scowled. “You should stay with me for a while.”

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