Page 63 of Falsifier

"Blood of the covenant is thicker.

than water of the womb, bitch. I know what make both happy and you no more meddling."

Chapter forty-two

Knox

Carter'seldestsonisescorted into the room between two men supporting his arms. He's dressed, but it's clear he had help from someone with no dress sense. The cut on his forehead is still bleeding, and the red on his collar is increasing as he walks.

"Is this what your bloke did to him?" Carter snaps, his hand examining the bump in his son’s hairline.

"Relax Dad. It was my fault really," Gregory mutters.

"How so?"

"I came out of the shower in just my towel, I was surprised to see someone outside my bathroom door, but it was just a kid and he looked terrified. I woke up in the recovery position on the floor, covered in a blanket."

"You were in the shower?" I question. Gregory is around my age, I'll put the fact he is less well-groomed down to his encounter with Nico.

"Not the best place to be caught out," Gregory agrees.

"We found that kid tied up in a bathroom a couple of days ago. He has PTSD. I came here ready to accuse your family of arranging the ordeal."

"He stole my phone and a set of handcuffs," Gregory enlightens us. "Plus, my guns are missing."

"He's armed? You allowed a kid with PTSD who blames me for his ordeal, to take your gun?"

"The fact he only used the phone and not the gun indicates his intentions," I defend the boy. "I'd say he took the weapons to disarm your son rather than to arm himself. If you hadn't taken Porter, this wouldn't be a problem."

"I will forgive this foreign little shit of yours. I suppose we made the first move. But that bloody girl will not get such forgiveness."

"She deserves none," I agree.

"What will happen to Annie?" Porter begs, a sweet yet pained whisper I would do anything to sooth.

"I know I promised not to touch her, Porter." I take both his hands in mine. "I stand by that. I won't touch her. But I can't fight for her. I won't. And I ask that you don't either."

"She is my sister. She is all the family I have."

"She isn't," Carter sighs. "We're all your family here."

"I don't acknowledge you as my family. I don’t want you in my life. All I need is Knox." Porter sobs into my chest. My arms instinctively wrap around him.

"And Nico," I add, directing his focus to the chosen family he deserves. "And you shall have all you need."

"OK, I have nothing against gay slush, but not in my living room like this."

I lift my jaw from its place on Porter's head and catch the arsehole father in a stare. "We'd be happy to leave."

"No," Carter insists quickly, before I even mock an exit plan. "I need to stop Tiffany from ruining me."

"We will do everything we can to help, but there is little we can do if you make us sit here."

"Stop for tea and biscuits while I decide what to do." Carter waves to a lacky to make the order. I have Carter on his back foot. He has no choice but to let me lead this if he wants to keep his woman in the dark. But I won't fight for Tiffany.

"When does Mrs Turnbridge return home?" I question, keeping my grip on Porter's hand. "Will we have the pleasure of her company?"

"No. I sent her away on holiday once this first reared its ugly head. Right after the second note was delivered. My first thought was you, Porter. When I investigated your situation and saw such a change in your life, I thought it had given you the confidence to try a stunt like this."

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