Without carefully considering what he was about to say, the words were fired faster than an AK47 on full auto, and his fist bashed the doorframe, as he shouted, ‘What the fuck is it with you and him, eh?’

Zara’s face went almost white with shock at this outburst. Unlike Eric’s family, she’d never been on the receiving end of one of Eric’s raging fits. Nevertheless, although stunned by what he’d said and the manner in which he’d said it, she had no intention of backing off.

She viciously retorted, ‘Mind your own fucking business, Eric. For Christ’s sake, stop acting like a jealous kid. I owe you fuck all. You’re Mike’s little brother and that’s it. It’s nothing fucking more than that. So back off, will ya?’

Those words ‘Mike’s little brother’ were like a knife being twisted in his gut. His eyes widened, and the whites turned dark with anger. Unexpectedly, he grabbed her shoulder to pull her close. ‘What about me? You know I like you, Zara, so don’t play the dumb bitch!’

‘Get off me, Eric!’

He leaned closer and grabbed her, this time with both hands. ‘Look at me, Zara, just look at me! I’m more man than that fucking Neil Lanigan and especially my own two-timing brother. What is it with you, eh? You only want what you can’t have!’ he told her bitterly.

‘I said, let go of me!’

‘No, Zara, I won’t, not until you tell me you care about me too, that I mean something to you.’

She looked at his face, an inch away from her own and was staggered to see that although there were subtle differences between him and his brother, they were more than enough for her to find him gross. The look in Mike’s eyes was so different: they were open and caring. And Mike’s rugged skin and that controlled expression of his were all the things she loved about him. Eric wasn’t blessed with any of Mike’s physical attributes or his personal qualities. In fact, when she really looked at the man standing before her, she wondered how it could be that Eric had ever been born a Regan. Arthur, Gloria, and Mike were the epitome of a caring family. The problem was that Eric had none of their special qualities and probably never would.

Without warning, he forcibly kissed her, ignoring the fact that she was desperately trying to pull away.

‘For the last fucking time, Eric, get off me!’ She tried to move her face away, repulsed by his advances.

He didn’t listen but attempted to kiss her neck, leaning closer.