Page 54 of Homecoming Heartbreaker

Molly had never seen such a cold, hard expression on Mack’s face and when Grant disappeared back into the house, she knew her brother felt it was prudent not to argue.

A few minutes later Vincent, half-asleep, joined them on the porch. Her mom, looking anxious, gestured for them to go inside. Molly shook her head. This last conversation could take place on the porch.

“So I found out something quite interesting today,” she said when she had their attention. And, as annoying as he was, she was glad to have Mack standing next to her.

The next few minutes wouldn’t be pleasant.

“What would that be?” Grant snidely asked.

“I found that you never needed the money I stole from Jameson. He’d already paid the rent.” Her eyes darted from her mom’s face to Vincent’s, to Grant’s and then back to her mom’s. Nobody rushed to deny her words; nor were they shocked by her statement. Molly felt fury bubble up her throat. “I was seventeen and I didn’t want to take the money. You all told me that if I didn’t, we’d be evicted. Yet the rent had been paid, for several months.”

Molly felt Mack’s hand on her back and immediately felt steadier, more in control. She slapped her hands on her hips, keeping her attention on her mother. “You’ve blackmailed me for years! Why would you do that to me?”

Vivi shrugged. “Jameson had money. We didn’t. And he caused your father’s death and took away our only source of income.”

“Dad stole from him, Mom!” Molly yelled. “Do you not get that?”

Another shrug. “Jameson was adamant that he wouldn’t drop the charges. If he’d just let your father resign, he could’ve landed a job and we wouldn’t be here, living in this crappy house.”

“A house you didn’t pay for! A house I bought, with the money I worked my ass off to make. What have any of you done?” Molly shouted.

“Sponged off you,” Mack said, his tone withering.

“You manipulated me, played me, let me believe something that wasn’t true for all these years and I will never, ever forgive you for doing that,” Molly said, her voice cracking. “Why would you do that? I’m your daughter, your sister.”

Vivi snorted. “You were your daddy’s girl and then when he died, you attached yourself to Jameson.”

“Because he, at least, seemed to love me,” Molly shouted.

Mack placed his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed. Molly leaned into him, just for a minute. It felt so damn good to lean, to soak in his support. But then she remembered what he’d done and reminded herself that she didn’t need him, just like she didn’t need her family.

She was better off alone.

Molly lifted her hands, palms out, in a just-stop gesture. “I’m done. Don’t ever contact me again.”

“But—”

Molly forced herself to look at her mother. “But what?”

Vivi gestured to the house. “What are you going to do about this house? It’s in your name but you gave it to me.”

Why was she surprised at the lack of reaction, of feeling? Why was she shocked by her mom putting herself first?

“I’ll sign it over to you,” Molly said, feeling completely wiped out. “Do what you want with it. Just don’t ever call me again.”

Vincent and Grant exchanged a long look and Molly knew that they weren’t done with her yet.

“Then what about a goodbye present, sis? Something to wish us well as you leave our lives?” Grant asked, his eyes dancing with maliciousness. “We still need that ten grand for my new business.”

God, you couldn’t make up crap like this. Shaking her head, she turned to walk down the steps, trembling with rage. But not with surprise. Her brothers were the ultimate scavengers, after all.

Molly heard a hard smack and whirled around, just in time to see Grant sliding down the wall next to the front door, blood flowing from his obviously broken nose. Vincent, ever loyal, jumped on Mack’s back but was easily dislodged with a jab of Mack’s elbow to his gut, quickly followed by a punch to his kidneys. Vincent followed Grant to the floor.

It was all over in ten seconds.

Vivi released a harsh cry as she took in her white-faced sons. “I’ll press charges,” she told Mack. “I’ll have you arrested for assault.”

Mack just handed her a cold, hard-as-steel smile. “Your threats don’t scare me, Vivi. They never have. Do not contact Molly. Do not let your sons contact her. No text messages, no emails, no visits. If any of you come within a mile of her, I will destroy you.” He smiled again and Molly shivered. “Are we clear?”

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