Page 56 of Off Limits
“No.” Brady’s voice snapped like a whip. “You give him money, he’ll buy the first bottle of whiskey he can get his hands on. Then, he’ll be back tomorrow. And the next day. He won’t stop.”
Rex hesitated, then tucked his wallet away. “Doesn’t seem like the police works either.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m not going anywhere until I get some cash.” Richard spat, lurching sideways and slumping against the Jeep.
Brady extricated himself from her hold and pulled out his phone. “I need a cruiser over at Dog Tired. We have a trespasser again.” He stepped away as he spoke to the department.
“Go,” she said, shooing his father with her hand. “Now.”
Richard crept away, muttering profanities under his breath and shuffling down the parking lot.
“Christ, his father is crazy,” Rex whispered. “I’m glad you’re okay.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Come find me when you’re done out here. I love you, Janey. And I’m sorry.”
She nodded and let out a huge breath. “I love you too.” Rex disappeared into the brewery. So things would be okay with her brother. Now she had to worry about Brady.
“He’s gone.” She turned to Brady.
He closed the distance between them in three long strides, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her against his chest like he feared she might disappear. His breath came out hard and fast. “I’m so sorry.” He buried his nose in her hair.
“Hey.” She leaned back to look at him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t have to apologize.”
“He’s my father.” He offered her a pained stare. “I can’t believe he came here and cornered you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Did he touch you? Say anything threatening?”
She heard the steel edge to his voice. “He didn’t lay a hand on me.” She cupped his jaw. “Has he been showing up here often?”
He shook his head. “He was here a few weeks ago. Wanted money. Called me a bastard. Told me my mother should have aborted me.” He looked away like saying it cost him something.
She inhaled sharply and wrapped her arms around his waist. She held him tightly as if she could shield him from the past. “What an awful thing to say. Is that what growing up was like for you?”
He cleared his throat. “Worse. If you can imagine.” He hugged her back hard.
“I can’t. And I’m sorry, Brady. You don’t deserve that.” She rose on her toes and kissed his lips. “But you are not like him. Look at the man you’ve becomein spiteof growing up with such a hateful, angry man.” Her thumb traced a slow line along his jaw.
He met her gaze. “That anger is in me, Princess. And it scares the shit out of me.” His voice cracked, his eyes glassy with emotion.
“We all have that capability,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean we become it.”
“I can’t promise that is the last time you see him. He’s like a cockroach. He won’t stay down.”
“Then we will deal with him,” she said, steady and certain. “Together.” She cupped the back of his head, pulling him close.
“Together.” He smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too.” She kissed him again.
“I love you.” He said against her lips before deepening the kiss. And for the first time in a long while, the world felt right again.
