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“I’m almost entirely certain he’ll never change.”
“We’re already finding something we agree on, so that’s a good start.”
Glad she thought so.
“What about my brother?” Any hint of warmth that was in her tone only a moment ago vanished.
How the hell was I supposed to start this? All the words I tried to say got stuck on my tongue. None of them seemed right to say to her. It was another confirmation that I was making a stupid choice.
“I’m sorry. I have no idea what to say. This was a good idea in theory, but now, not so much,” I admitted, reaching for my water.
“Discussing my family is never a good idea, theoretically or otherwise.” She pulled her clutch onto her lap. “If all we’re discovering is that this is a waste of both our time, then you’ll excuse me. I have to get my daughter from school soon, and I’d rather change if I have the time.”
I took a deep breath as she stood. “Do you ever think about contacting them?”
Perrie stopped and, peering over her shoulder at me, said, “No. I have no reason or need to contact them. Listen to me, Dahlia. I don’t know how you’re involved with my brother and frankly, I don’t give a shit. But if you have any sense, you’ll run away now. Those men are nothing but poison, and if you let them, they’ll destroy you.”
“With all due respect, I think you’re wrong,” I replied softly.
“Have you met the ruthless bastard that is my father? Did he con you, too?”
“No, but he’s spent enough time trying to harass me into selling my bar.”
That made her pause.
She turned, head tilted, and came back to the table. “All right. I’ll bite.” She slid back onto her seat, but she kept her hand on her purse. “Tell me more.”
I raised my eyebrows at the U-turn. But, hey. If this was the ice-breaker, I’d take it.
“My father died at the beginning of this year, and after a couple of months, yours apparently decided he wanted to buy my bar.”
“I’m sorry. On both accounts.” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Thank you. For both.” I half-smiled. “He sent your brother to do the dirty work.” I explained how I’d been in California and about our first few interactions.
Perrie shook her head. “Intimidation. I’m sorry. That’s the way he does things. Like he thinks fear is a greater tool than respect. I’m ever more thankful I don’t share his blood.”
“I would be, if I were you,” I admitted. “My point is, I recently found out the extent of his…I don’t want to say control, but influence over your brother.”
“Color me surprised,” she said dryly. “Like I said, Benedict values fear over respect. I’m sure that Damien didn’t necessarily want to be so aggressive in his attempts to buy it. Out of curiosity, were they successful?”
“Like hell they were.”
Finally, she smiled. “Good. Now, tell me about your relationship with my brother. If you’ve gone to the trouble of seeking me out, I can only assume it’s now personal.”
“You’d be right.”
“And if you’re here, that means he finally talked to someone about our childhood.”
I nodded. “Last night. He told me everything.”
“Everything as it happened, or everything as he sees it?” she said bitterly. “We have two different views on my estrangement from them. The truth is their reluctance to accept the fact I wouldn’t abort my daughter just because her father plowed his car into a tree and killed himself.”
Well. That was a blunt way to put it.
“That’s the story he told me. A little less graphically, but the same.”
She paused. “Damn. There’s one for the books. So, he sent you to check up on me? You’re not as subtle as the investigator who shows up with a check every six months.”
That was news to me, but also, another question answered.
“Actually,” I said slowly, meeting her gaze. “He has no idea I’m here or that I even wanted to contact you.”
She raised one dark eyebrow, a question in the slight movement. “Really.” It was a statement. “That’s interesting.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Because you’re either stupid enough to fall for my brother and care enough to do this or he’s manipulated you into believing what he says.” She leaned back in the seat, studying me. “Thing is, you don’t strike me as easily manipulated or stupid.”
I wasn’t. I was neither of these things.
So, I looked her dead in the eye and said four words. The ones I’d been avoiding.
“I love your brother,” I said firmly. “He’s not the man you’ve painted him to be. I thought he was, but he proved me wrong. He’s nothing like your father.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I carried on.
“And I don’t agree with what he said to you. It was wrong and cruel. He should have supported you regardless, but I also don’t think he meant it. He misses you too much to have believed in the words he spoke to you.” I wrapped my hands around the glass of water, the condensation coating my palms. “Now, you don’t have to believe me. I’m not asking you to, I’m just asking you to listen to me. This is a man who keeps sending you checks and has a bank account for your daughter for when she’s old enough to go to college.”
