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Garth laughed. “Like how? Your mother believes anything I tell her.”
“Don’t bet on it.”
“Your mother doesn’t care what I do…Cin.As long as I give her money, she turns a blind eye.” He stepped closer, making her back into the refrigerator.
“Back off,” she growled out when he put his hands on each side of her, blocking her in.
“Now, Cin, don’t talk like that.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Your boyfriend calls you that, so why can’t I?”
“Because I likehim.” She clenched her hands until her nails dug into her palms when he laughed.
“I bet I could change your mind,” he said as he leaned close to her.
They both looked at the doorway when someone cleared their throat, and she sighed with relief when she saw Rhett leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded and his head tilted.
“Is there something I should know?”
“No—”
“Yes,” Lucinda said as she ducked under Garth’s arm and walked to Rhett.
He put his arm around her and tugged her close.
“Why don’t you go get your coat? I think Garth and I will talk.”
Lucinda glanced at Garth to see him wide-eyed.
“I think I will. Don’t be long. We need to go, anyway.”
“Yes, ma’am. Just give me a few minutes.”
She noticed that he never took his eyes off Garth the entire time Rhett spoke. With a smile, she left the room.
****
Rhett glanced over his shoulder at Cin, then back at Garth. He pushed off the jamb, strode across the room, stopped just feet from him, and stared into his eyes.
“We were just talking, man.”
“You looked more into the conversation than she did.”
“I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“Nothing. I’m going to do the talking. You stay away from her—”
“She’s my stepdaughter,” Garth retorted.
“Then treat her like she is,” Rhett said through clenched teeth.
“We were just talking. Cin and—”
“Stop,” Rhett snapped, then stepped forward. “You do not have the right to call her that. Do you understand?” When Garth nodded, Rhett went on. “And if you ever touch her again, I will knock you into next week. She’s your stepdaughter. Just because you’re not related doesn’t mean you treat her differently.” Rhett strode across the kitchen, then turned back to face him. “If she ever tells me you did anything like this again, I’ll be back. You can bet your ass on that. You’re disgusting.”
He headed down the hallway to the front door to see Cin waiting for him. Her mother stood beside her, oblivious to anything going on around her.
