Page 46 of Save Her from Me

Then he was gone.

More slowly, I followed them up the two flights to the living room. A seemingly reluctant Jackson had all eyes on him while he recounted the story, describing what he’d done to a dozen questions from my brothers. I settled on the sofa beside Effie. She nudged me with her shoulder and gave me a curious and subtle chin lift.

Effie was the big sister I’d always wanted. My role model and guide. There wasn’t much I kept from her, but right now, I didn’t have anything to share beyond stolen kisses and flirtatious text messages.

I’d gone from an open conversation at my birthday party to something narrower and more meaningful.

It wasn’t a bit of fun anymore. I didn’t know how to explain it.

I wrinkled my nose, conveying that there was no news. She shrugged easily, and her attention returned to the wider conversation.

“How does it feel being a hero?” she asked Jackson.

He pulled a face. “None of that. I only followed my job description. How are things on the slopes?”

Effie grinned. “Normal. No heroics there. Trying to change the subject?”

A sheepish smile spread across his stupidly handsome face. “Busted. But according to my watch, we’ve only got an hour until Raph needs to leave, and there’s business to get down to.”

Raphael heaved a sigh, raising both eyebrows at me. “True.”

We had the call with our father planned.

It was the very last thing I wanted to do.

After we’d settled in Scotland, I’d blocked out memories of my previous life. At least with my parents, I’d mostly been successful. I didn’t want to think about that time. Didn’t want the reminders of their horrible relationship and how Dad behaved.

The man was a snake, but a controlling, effective businessman, too. For several years, we’d had semi-regular phone calls with him, starting with the one which negotiated him leaving us alone.

The only reason we’d kept contact was for the sake of Azrael, our little brother. None of us could stomach the idea of him growing up not knowing who we were. Yet in every conversation, our father bemoaned the fact that none of his adult children were part of his business, though he meant his sons. He’d complain about how family was everything and outright ignore my challenge that girls were just as valuable as boys.

He’d never once apologised for what he did to me.

Not only for the marriage contract but for the neglect, the way he just didn’t care about me. Mostly ignored my presence.

He was a difficult and mercurial character, and I needed to extract information from him to save my neck.

My siblings shared the same expression of distaste.

I curled in on myself. “I know this was my idea, but I’ve been dreading it. Does anyone have an idea of how we approach Dad?”

“We need intelligence,” Gabe started. “If we ask him for it directly, he’ll demand something in exchange. So either we try an indirect approach, or we’re prepared to give up something.”

“What will he ask for?” Jackson asked.

I gave him the answer. “A visit.”

Jackson’s eyes flashed a warning. “Ye can’t go to him.”

“Not from me. He’s only interested in my brothers. Gabe first, then Raphael. It’s a matter of pride for him that he doesn’t have control of his sons and isn’t able to show them off. Gabe used to work for him. He’s never been quiet about wanting him back.”

Gabe swapped a look with Effie. “On the subject of families, and before we continue, there’s something we need to share.”

At last. My heart lifted.

He gestured for his wife to proceed.

“I’m pregnant,” Effie announced, rubbing her hands together. “Three months gone. Baby Gordonson is due in August.”

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