My family had known the Wemblys all my life. Not once had I ever had any inclination that Sir Richard was anything other than the refined member of Parliament that he appeared to be. Until now.

The look he had given Abbie had said it all. The refined politician was the mask. This was the real man, and he was no better than a schoolyard bully. If I hadn’t come when I had, Richard would have hurt Abbie, would have continued hurting his wife. The angry savage inside reminded me how good it would feel to give this fool his comeuppance.

“I’m not staying out of your way. You are clearly having a problem controlling your anger.”

“Where do you get off, you little shit? Just because I’ve known your family for a long time doesn’t give you the right to be so familiar with me.”

I let icy menace slide into my voice as I spoke. “Sir Richard, if I were you, I would listen very closely. Just because you sit in Parliament doesn’t mean you control the world.” I stepped into the older man’s physical space and squared my shoulders. “Nick Wexler is a very good friend of mine. I seem to recall him saying you lack a way with cards. I’m sure you would hate for that to become public knowledge. After all, news like that would endanger your political career. You know the public hates a scandal.”

The older man blanched then backed up a step. “No one would believe a pissy little upstart like you. One word to your father, and you’re done. Cut off.”

I let all the menace I felt bubble to the surface. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about me and my brother.”

The older man went pale.

I continued, projecting a calm I didn’t feel. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to find out if they were true or not.” It cost me a sliver of my soul to bring those early memories to the forefront, but I needed to make a point. “If I see your wife looking a little worse for wear ever again, or if I find out you bothered my friend, you might meet the same fate as Silas McMahon.”

I didn’t bother to see how the older man reacted. Instead, I turned on my heel and went after Abbie.

Abbie…

After an hour and a half of driving Faith’s car through the slogging rain, I let myself into the empty apartment. I tossed my keys on the kitchen counter and went straight for the wine. I knew Faith needed some time with her man, but I could really use my best friend.