“It was Sarah’s. She played, too. When I realized he had a talent, I insisted he take piano lessons when he was a boy. He pretended to hate it so his brothers wouldn’t tease him, but I knew he didn’t really. I keep hoping he’ll find his way back to it again.”

Clare shook her head. “There’s so much to him. It astounds me sometimes.”

Colleen smiled in agreement. “I love all my children, but I have a special place in my heart for that boy.”

“So do I,” Clare said, returning her smile.

“I’m going up to bed. Can I get you anything?”

Clare had been fed to the point of explosion earlier. “Not a thing. I’m going up soon, too.”

“Good night, love.” Colleen hugged her and went upstairs.

Clare listened to the house settle as she thought about Aidan. She loved him even more after seeing him with his family. He’d carried on a wicked banter with his brothers and sister, let his nieces and nephews crawl all over him, and had such genuine affection for his parents that it touched her heart. All combined, it painted a more complete picture of him for Clare.

She was jolted out of her thoughts by a crash in the kitchen and got up to investigate.

Brandon stumbled around in the dark.

Clare flipped on the light, and he turned to her, startled.

“Scared the shit out of me,” he slurred.

Clare took a step back. She could smell him from across the room.

He opened the fridge to get a beer.

When Clare turned to leave the room, he lunged at her and grabbed her arm. “Don’t leave me to drink alone.”

Clare tried to pull her arm out of his grip, but he tightened his hold on her.

“Let go of me,” she said as her heart began to pound.

“Too good for me?” He leered at her. “Saving it all for big brother?”

“I said to let go of me, Brandon. Now. Before I scream my head off and wake up the whole house.”

But instead of letting go, he backed her against the counter and held her prisoner with the weight of his body. “I’ll bet you’re a screamer. Does my brother make you scream?”

Clare couldn’t breathe, and the dots floating in front of her eyes reminded her of the other time a man had held her captive. This could not be happening again. “Please,” she whispered. “Let me go.”

She almost fell to the floor when Brandon suddenly released her as Aidan’s fist connected with his face.

“What the hell are you doing?” Aidan gathered Clare into his arms. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

Blood poured from Brandon’s nose.