Page 26 of Three Reasons
“I don’t know who you are, so I’m not asking. Why is she in St. Albert?” I’m quickly losing my patience with this guy.
“That rat bastard David blackmailed her and brought muscle with tree trunks for thighs. If you ask me—which obviously you’re not sinceyou don’t know me—that guy needs to be gutted with a very dull knife.”His fucking sarcasm.
Struggling not to bang my head on my desk repeatedly, I ask through gritted teeth, “And David is?”
“Shit, do you two know nothing about her?” The man sounds as exasperated as I’m beginning to feel. “That’s her older brother. He’s a real tool, too. That’s what Gray says, plus a few extra colourful phrases.” The guy snickers.
“This about that bullshit in The Sun the other day?” I’m putting it all together now, and the picture I’m painting is not one I like very much.
“That’d be my guess, but I don’t think she’s seen it, or she’d have exploded into a Pokémon full of rage and murder.” A what?I don’t even want to know.
I could believe it, too. For as vulnerable as she’s shown us she can be, Gray isn’t the type to let someone dictate her future.
“What type of blackmail would convince her to go with her brother?” I ask, needing as much information as I can get.
“Best guess, something to do with someone she cares about.” He pauses for a beat. “That would include you two.”
“Shit.” I can’t believe she would sacrifice herself for us.
“‘Bout sums it up, pretty boy. Now, do us all a favour and get her home. She’ll be miserable in stuffed-shirt hell by now.”
“Plan to.” Hanging up, I glance to Eli. “Looks like Christmas is in St. Albert this year.”
A smirk crosses his face along with an expression I haven’t seen since we were hormonal preteen boys. He’s up to something.
“Look forward to it, man.”
So do I.
Gray
“Gray, my dear, you came!” Ignoring the hurt from the trip here and David’s callous attitude, I walk into my childhood home with a genuinely happy smile for my Pappy. Normally a very robust and active man, he looks so sad and broken down as he wheels down the hallway in his wheelchair.
“Hi, Pappy.” Leaning forward, I accept his warm hug, basking in the strength he always seems to give me. “How are you?”
“A little sad that I've learned you didn’t come on your own.” Standing up straight, it's hard to meet his eyes. Pappy doesn’t know everything about how I grew up. The verbal abuse was hidden from him because I didn’t want to be the reason for a family fight, not when knowing his heart was so bad.
“I know; I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare.” His fierce hold on my hand shocks me into meeting his stare. Eyes the same shade as my own blaze with fury. “I know David and that goon forced you here, and I’ve heard enough to know that it’s not for anything good.”
Before I can open my mouth, my name is bellowed. “Grace, get in here!” My father's booming voice makes me flinch. He’s always been cold and a little cruel, but he sounds murderous right now.
Exhaling heavily, I stroll towards the office I dreaded as a child. It’s where most of the scolding took place over the years. “Gray”—Pappy’s hand holds me in place—“don’t let him walk all over you. You’re much stronger than they give you credit for.” The ache in my chest eases at his words.
“Thanks, Pappy, I needed that.” Squaring my shoulders, I enter the room to find my father sitting behind his desk, with David and the bruiser he brought with him in the chairs across from him. “What?” Crossing my arms, I realize I appear defensive, and that’s because I am.
“Why are you being so stubborn? We’ve let you do your thing and have your fun, but I need something from you now, and it’s time you contribute to this family.” Father is leaning forward, elbows on the desk, a scowl on his face and for once, I don’t feel afraid of him.
“Did David tell you he hit me?” I raise a brow as his face pales slightly.
“You put your hands on her?” His infamous scowl is directed at my brother now. Before David can protest, I tap my cheek where it’s still red and visibly swollen. “Jesus, David, you hit her.” I’m shocked at the concern in his tone as he gets up and approaches me, gently turning my face into the light to get a better view.
Keeping my sight on my father, I notice his eyes water and emotions I’ve never seen before as our gazes meet briefly.
“Why the hell would you hit her?” This confrontation takes an odd turn as he begins screaming at my brother, the golden child, about how hitting women is never an option.
He’s so loud and berating that Pappy and my mother come to see what’s going on. I stand motionless as I am defended for the first time in my life. Once my mother realizes what’s happening and why, she stands firm with my father, and it’s like a flip has been switched. Never have I felt this kind of care and concern from them before. It’s weird, and I don’t know what to make of it.