Page 35 of You're To Blame 2

“Trust me, Dad. Chelse is fine.”

“All right, great. Every little bit helps.”

“Oh, and maybe you should keep the extortion money from my granddaddy.”

Brian’s eyes widened.

“Just until the company is viable again. I will talk to my granddaddy.” I peeked at Tate.

His jaw ticked. “I want to break Mason’s face.”

“Son, calm down. You have every right to be upset. But he’s still your brother.”

“Screw him. He tormented me. Going on and on about doing things to my woman. Two guards held me down while he spewed his hatred for me. He hated me.” Tate thumped on his chest with his fingertips. “Because Chelsea reciprocated her feelings for me. Dad, do you know how crazy that sounds?”

His dad gruffly rubbed his stubbled chin. “Yes, Tate.”

I stepped in between them splaying my hands on Tate’s heaving broad chest.

“Look at me. We are here...now...together.”

His cold gaze met mine. “Yeah.”

His breathing eased under my touch. Tate wrapped his arms around me. His lips melted against my hair. “I’m ok, Chelse.” I slipped from his embrace and returned to my seat.

“Dad, I am ready to continue.”

An hour later we sat around the theater room, gawking at each other. We waited an hour because Brian and I had to calm Tate down. He was ready to kill Mason. We couldn’t have him committing two murders in two days.

Mason was in the hot seat. Everyone had so many questions.

Melissa had the most. She stood. “Mason, I want you to tell us every painstaking moment that occurred after you woke up here in London.”

He clutched his spiky black hair. Pacing back and forth, he brought his parents and mine up to speed.

The room fell eerily silent.

“Don’t tell me you all feel sorry for him.” Tate rose.

I hopped in front of him. “Don’t do this.”

His vibrant blue eyes were gone. They were replaced with dark blue stones.

“Baby, move or I’ll sit you on your pretty little ass.”

My lips parted.

He leaned into my ear. “I told you about parting those sexy lips. We’ll discuss your punishment later.” He gripped my waist and sat me on my bottom in the leather recliner.

Tate continued to the front of the room. “I don’t feel sorry for you. You may be my brother because we’re related, but that’s it. I don’t ever want to see your face again.”

“Tate, you don’t mean that.” Melissa stood.

She was always pulled together nicely. Not today. She wore a red blouse, jeans, and knee-high brown boots. Not a lick of makeup in sight. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. Her nostrils and eyes were red. She probably sobbed all night.

“I’m not happy with him either, but he’s coming home with us.”

“Then I will stay with nana and granddad Harlon.” Tate rammed his fists into Mason’s chest, backing him against the wall faster than the speed of light. “You locked me in a dungeon like a caged animal.” His fist jolted Mason’s chin. “To add insult to injury, you tanked my football career, motherfucker.”

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