The Strength of the Pack (Suncoast Society #30)(47)

“Oh. I figured she’d be here.”

Nate had to ask. “Your grandmother doesn’t get along with your father?”

Gayle snorted. “Nooo. Didn’t like him when he dated Michelle and liked him even less when he started dating Mom and they got married.”

“Michelle?”

“Our birth mother,” Eva quietly said, taking his hand.

Nate did his best to be charming, nice, and use more than a hint of British accent at times, winning friends and influencing people, so to speak.

Even better was the way he caught glimpses of Abraham Banks’ expression darkening the more obvious it became that Nate was popular with everyone.

An hour after arriving, they managed to get through dinner. When Eva needed to use the bathroom, Nate went with her, standing outside as if awaiting his turn. He studied more pictures hanging on the wall, one of them older, at least by a generation. Four kids, three girls and a boy, and their parents.

One of the girls was as fair-haired as the little girl in the newer portraits and bore a striking resemblance to her.

When Eva emerged from the bathroom, he pointed without speaking.

“That’s Michelle,” she said, “and Mom.” She pointed to an older, dark-haired girl, then to others. “Aunt Kelly and Uncle Mike, who are out there.”

He caught her hand and squeezed. “Okay. Wait here for me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

That she didn’t even try to argue told him a lot.

He quickly used the bathroom and was washing his hands when he heard a man’s voice just outside.

With the hair bristling on the back of his neck, he didn’t even bother drying his hands as he opened the door and found Eva’s father standing there, with Eva backed against the wall.

Nate put on a smile and stepped between them, staring down at the man. “Abe, old chap,” he softly said, letting his full accent come through, “I suggest you take a step back. One would think you’re trying to intimidate your daughter.”

Abraham Banks didn’t take a step back, though. He glared up at Nate. “You sure you’re not one of those faggots, too?”

Nate didn’t even blink. “I would strongly suggest that you don’t talk about Laurel’s father and step-father like that,” he said. “I consider them close personal friends.”

“Huh. Imagine that. She managed to pick herself two queers for guys. Can’t do anything right. Had a chance to get full custody of that little girl and she blew it.”

Nate’s fingers itched to close around the man’s throat but he resisted. “Wow. You are a pillock, aren’t you? Leo and Eva warned me about you but I honestly thought perhaps they were exaggerating. No one in this day and age could be so utterly lacking in social graces as that. Sad to see I was wrong.”

Nate stepped forward, forcing the man back against the opposite hallway wall. “Eva, love, go say good-bye to your mum and sisters, now. We must be off.”

Eva bolted. When Abraham made like he was going to go after her and put a hand up to push Nate back, Nate grabbed his hand and twisted, hitting the pressure points in Abraham’s hand as well as reaching up and hitting one in his upper arm.

He drove older man down to his knees. “There, now,” Nate muttered. “That’s a good chap. You’re lucky I don’t break your bloody neck, but I promised Eva I’d behave myself like a gentleman.” He released the man and followed Eva to make sure she hurried.

Nate suspected once Abraham got up off the floor that he’d be off his trolley and come after him. He had fixed a pleasant smile on his face and already fished his keys out of his pocket by the time he reached the lanai. He’d prefer to go out the back and around the side rather than through the house again.

He caught up with Eva, hugging her sisters and her mom good-bye.

“But why do you have to leave?” her mom asked.

“Sorry, my fault,” Nate said. “Wife of one of my regular clients just called. Emergency case, poor man’s going through chemo. Sad thing, really, but I need to go do a treatment on him for nausea. So lovely meeting you all, and thank you for dinner. Ann, once again, congratulations. Good evening.”

He caught Eva’s elbow and aimed her for the side door out to the backyard.

Didn’t even bother looking behind him, but when they emerged in the front yard, Abraham charged out the front door.

“You come back here!” he raged, although Nate wasn’t sure who at, himself or Eva.

Nate grimly handed her his keys. “Right. Go lock yourself in, love, and no matter what, stay there.” She stared at him. “Go! That’s an order.”

Nate followed her a few more steps, slowing his strides and waiting, just in time to turn, stepping sideways and dodging the man, who wasn’t expecting Nate to jump out of the way. Abraham lost his balance and fell. That sent him sprawling across the grass.

A couple of the cousins had spilled out the front door and were now watching with stunned expressions. Ann and Gayle also emerged, followed by their mom.

Abraham tried to lunge at Nate, but Nate caught him by the hand and set him back on his knees. “That was a rather nasty spill, Mr. Banks,” Nate said loudly enough for the people on the porch to hear. “Here, let me help you up,” As he forced the man onto his feet, Nate once again hit a pressure point in Abraham’s hand, but the way he was standing shielded his action from view.