Page 69 of Wild Scottish Beauty

“I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it. But you’ll respect my wishes.” Mum, for as sweet as she was, had a backbone. I watched her as she stirred the curry. It hadn’t been easy for her, these past few months, managing my father’s recovery. A once active and vibrant man, it had been a change for him to slow down and allow himself to heal. His frustration often boiled over on those closest to him, and I knew my mum took the brunt of it. That was love, though, wasn’t it? Being there for your person at their best and their worst?

I want that.

Love wasn’t something that had been particularly high on my agenda, so the thought startled me. Even more so when it was Willow’s face that came to mind when I thought about my future. While I could admit that I’d had many a sleepless night over my gorgeous intern, love was an entirely different thing.

Lust had me wondering what her kiss would taste like.

Love had me thinking about cooking dinner together, laughing over clothing designs, taking long walks by the loch on mild summer nights.

“Understood.” I narrowed my eyes at Andrew when he walked into the kitchen, his hand clamped on my dad’s shoulder, the two laughing.

Catching my eye, the clarty bastard winked at me.

Och, I didn’t trust him. Which meant I’d have to be extra vigilant over the next few days.

Starting with seeing what was in that folder that Andrew had passed to my father.

“I’ll just use the loo before dinner.” I didn’t know how I was going to get through dinner, as I could barely stand to be in the same room as Andrew. Standing, I left the kitchen and detoured to the sunroom, scooping the folder off the table from where it was largely concealed under stacks of crossword books. Flipping it open, I scanned the contents, my anger reaching a boiling point.

He was asking my parents for more money.

Because, of course, he was.

This for an investment in a start-up company, that I’m sure once I did some research, would likely be a front for something nefarious. I could barely breathe through my anger, and it took everything in my power not to stalk back into the kitchen, drag my brother out into the yard, and beat him into a bloody pulp.

But the thing was? People like him would never learn. He’d keep coming back for more. If it wasn’t this investment, it would be something else. What I needed to do is figure out a way to protect my parents from his slimy hands. Sliding the envelope into my coat, I returned to the kitchen and gave my brother a smile that was close to feral.

“What?” Andrew eyed me.

“How’s business, Andrew? Booming? Taking advantage of people who don’t know the difference between good products and fake crap?” I took my seat.

“Ramsay.” My mother’s tone was sharp.

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll be good.” Lifting my chin at Andrew, Igave him the same look I’d give an opponent on the rugby field. His shoulders hunched.

Dinner was excruciating, but Andrew regaled my parents with tales from China, and I barely spoke, biding my time. Once dinner was over, I declined dessert and rose, having come to my decision. My mother’s cheeks were flushed, clearly happy to have both her sons home, and I wasn’t going to ruin that for her.

“I have to go. Andrew. A word?”

“Ramsay,” Mum warned.

“Just a word. Promise.” I gave her a hug, kissed the top of my dad’s head and squeezed his shoulder, and Andrew followed me out into the yard. Once the door was closed, I turned on him.

“How much?” I asked, without preamble.

“How much what?” Andrew pretended to not know what I was talking about, shaking his head and raising his eyebrows. I pulled out the folder and tossed it at his feet, the wind taking a few sheets across the yard.

“Damn it, Ramsay.”

“What’s the investment really for?”

“It’s a proper invest?—”

I hauled him up by his throat, slamming his back into the stone wall of the garage, and he gasped, grappling at my hands.

“What’s it for? I won’t ask again.” My voice was low, and I could hear my mum singing inside.

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