Page 169 of Rush of Jealousy

“Was the hypnotizing a no-go?” Nic asks, standing on the sidelines.

“It went horribly, and they had to stop the session immediately,” Donna chimes in.

“It was a setback,” Germain says softly. “One Penny will move forward from. We just all have to have faith in her.”

Graham catches my movement from the corner of his eye and side steps toward me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I don’t find it comforting. I want to push him away but do not need to add any more stress to this awkward first meeting with his family.

“Is the place in Victoria still a consideration?” Nic asks.

I feel Graham tense up. He has had his focus on Penny since I met him. I can tell he carries the weight of her recovery on his shoulders.

“I really don’t want her out of the country,” Germain chimes in, “but if it’s best for her recovery and her psychiatrist recommends the facility, then we’ll definitely consider it.”

“I’ve been having the facility checked out,” Graham reassures, “but I’m not convinced it’s a good fit. I think having her closer to family is what she needs right now.”

“Well, I for one am thrilled it’s going to be a full house,” Donna says with a warm smile. “Anyway, come on in, everyone, and make yourselves at home. Angie, can I offer you some wine?”

“Absolutely,” I say with an awkward laugh.

“It’s our pleasure to have you here,” Germain says with a half hug to me.

Donna returns and puts an arm around his waist and hands me my goblet of a rich red wine. The aroma is strong. I take a sip and savor the delicious semisweet blend.

It has been so long since I have been around a family for a holiday that I don’t even know how to act. And the desire to be part of something—anything—has me sticking around rather than running out of the house and away from the liar who cannot stop with the lies.

I turn to Graham who has yet to relax his shoulders. “Can I have a word with you outside?”

He gives me a hesitant nod. He guides me through the beautifully decorated house to the back patio that is lit with uplighting. There is a serene pool and hot tub, along with a rock structure and waterfall. It is an enchanting backyard oasis. It looks very similar in design to the lake house, and I wonder if Germain helped with the construction of both properties.

“Why did you lie to me?” I whisper. “Again?”

He stares up at the sky. It is approaching nighttime, and some of the stars are visible even though the house is lit up with artificial light filtering out through all of the windows. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“I call bullshit. There’s always a choice.”

His eyes soften. “Please don’t leave me. Just promise me you won’t leave me before I can fix all of this. Promise me.”

I turn to glare at him. “Haven’t we learned anything from the sins of our past? Haven’t we learned that lying to each other pulls us apart?”

“What about all that you are hiding? I have been working overtime trying to keep you safe and have been going about this unobtainable task completely blind.”

“How can I hide anything when you always have a team watching me? Huh? It is wearing on me, Graham. I have my life to live, goals to accomplish, and a future to secure. How can I even do anything anymore without you finding out and sabotaging all of my efforts?”

“Why can’t you trust me to take care of you? You put up walls faster than I can ever tear them down.”

“Because I cannot put trust in people. People die. People leave. People screw me over. People aren’t permanent.”

His eyes water, and for a second I think he may cry. It breaks my heart with each passing second he doesn’t say something. He just stands and stares at me. “I’m never going to be enough for you.”

His words cut me, because they seem plucked from my own thoughts. I feel the same way, and here I am making him experience the same doubt that I have cumulatively put on myself over the course of many years.

“I am sorry.”

“Sorry for what? For involving your best friend in your affairs? For putting her at risk?”

“You knew about—”

“Yes, Angela.” He runs a hand through his hair, while his eyes never waver from mine. “Just tell me. Was it worth it? Because I’m running out of patience over this whole ordeal. This isn’t a fucking game.”

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