Page 5 of Step Daddy

Gareth didn’t doubt for one second whether their dad had been as big an asshole to Kit as he’d been to him. He’d always had to step in when his dad mocked Kit for being so quiet and shy, would tell him not to be a sissy or turn into a queer like Gareth.

Fucker.

“Thanks.” Kit offered him a soft smile, as if he could read Gareth’s thoughts. “You always stood up for me and that meant a lot.”

Gareth’s shame filled him again. “And then I took off and left you there to face the scumbag alone.” Gareth’s throat tightened. “I regret that.”

Kit averted his gaze. “You were eighteen, didn’t have to put up with his nastiness anymore. I don‘t blame you.”

Regret wasn’t going to get either of them anywhere. “What’s going on, Kit? Tell me so I can be here for you now.”

Kit had gone back to twisting his fingers and Gareth had to bite his lip to keep from correcting him. It was absolutely not his place to battle his brother’s bad habits. The more Gareth reminded himself that this was his stepbrother, the better.

Kit glanced up. “I know you guys never got along, but at the same time, he’s your dad. I don’t want you to be mad about what’s going on, what I have to say about him.”

Gareth drained the last of his lukewarm beer. “The sperm donor? I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think of ol’ Theodore as Dad anymore. Ted or ‘that asshole’ works just fine for me.”

Kit’s eyes rounded a bit and Gareth realized he’d come across a bit harsh. He should dial it back for the kid’s sake. Undoubtedly, whatever was going on with dickwad Ted had Kit upset enough as it was.

“Okay.” Kit nodded. “Okay.” He sucked in a deep breath. “He’s been stealing money from Rodriguez Property Management—he’s head of accounting now for all three Antelope Valley locations—and they recently caught on that something was up. I had no idea it was going on until last week when I accidentally walked in on him pocketing a bundle of cash before putting the rest in the bank deposit bag.”

Gareth balled his hands into fists. He wanted to strangle Ted. However, he needed to keep it together and remain calm for Kit’s sake.

“Do they know it’s him?”

Kit let out such a mournful sigh it broke Gareth’s heart. “No. The crime has already been pinned on someone else.”

Gareth’s eyebrows shot up. It figured that Ted would let an innocent party take the fall. “Who’d he blame?”

Kit’s eyes watered. “Me.”

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