Rush Too Far (Rosemary Beach #4)(2)

All those things our mother had tried to tell her over the years that she had refused to believe suddenly fell into place. She had been telling the truth. Nan’s father hadn’t wanted her, because he had this life. These two beautiful, angelic daughters and a wife who looked so much like them.

Those photos on the wall had tortured Nan for years afterward. Again, I wanted to hate my mother for taking her there. For shoving the truth in her face. At least when Nan had lived in her fairy tale, she had been happier, but her innocence was lost that day. And my hate for her father and his family began to grow inside me.

They had taken from my little sister the life she deserved, a father who could love her. Those girls didn’t deserve him more than Nan did. That woman he was married to used her beauty and those girls to keep him from Nan. I hated them all.

I eventually acted on that hate, but the story really starts the night Blaire Wynn walked into my house with a nervous frown and the f**king face of an angel. My worst nightmare . . .

I had told Nan I didn’t want people over that night, but she’d invited them anyway. My little sister didn’t take no for an answer ever. Leaning back on the couch, I stretched my legs out in front of me and took a drink of my beer. I needed to hang around here long enough to make sure things weren’t going to get out of hand. Nan’s friends were younger than mine. They got a little rowdy sometimes. But I put up with it because it made her happy.

Mom running off to f**king Paris with her new husband, Nan’s still-inattentive father, hadn’t helped Nan’s mood lately. This was all I could think of to cheer her up. For once in her life, I wished my mother would think of someone other than herself.

“Rush, meet Blaire. I believe she might belong to you. I found her outside looking a little lost.” Grant’s voice broke into my thoughts. I looked up at my stepbrother and then at the girl standing beside him. I’d seen that face before. It was older, but I recognized it.

Shit.

She was one of them. I hadn’t known their names, but I’d remembered there were two of them. This one was . . . Blaire. I cut my eyes toward Nan to see her standing not too far away with a scowl on her face. This wasn’t going to be good. Did Grant not realize who this girl was?

“Is that so?” I asked, racking my brain for some way to get her out of here—and fast. Nan was going to blow any minute. I studied the girl who had been a source of pain for my sister most of her life. She was gorgeous. Her heart-shaped face was highlighted by a pair of big blue eyes with the longest natural eyelashes I’d ever seen. Silky platinum-blond curls brushed against a pair of really nice tits that she was showing off in a tight tank top. Damn. Yeah, she needed to go. “She’s cute, but she’s young. Can’t say she’s mine.”

The girl flinched. If I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I would have missed it. The lost expression on her face didn’t add up. She’d walked into this house knowing she was in unwelcome territory. Why did she look so innocent?

“Oh, she’s yours, all right. Seeing as her daddy has run off to Paris with your momma for the next few weeks, I’d say this one now belongs to you. I’d gladly offer her a room at my place if you want. That is, if she promises to leave her deadly weapon in the truck.” Grant was finding this amusing. The dick. He knew who she was, all right. He loved the fact that this was upsetting Nan. Grant would do anything to piss Nan off.

“That doesn’t make her mine,” I replied. She needed to take the hint and leave.

Grant cleared his throat. “You’re kidding, right?”

I took a swig of my beer, then leveled my gaze at Grant. I wasn’t in the mood for his and Nan’s drama. This was taking it too far. Even for him. The girl had to go.

She appeared to be ready to run. This wasn’t what she’d been expecting. Had she really thought her dear ol’ dad would be here, waiting for her? That story sounded like bullshit. She’d lived with the man for fourteen years. I had known him for three years, and I knew he was a piece of shit.

“I got a house full of guests tonight, and my bed’s already full,” I informed her, then looked back at my brother. “I think it’s best if we let her go find a hotel until I can get in touch with her daddy.”

Blaire reached for the suitcase that Grant was holding. “He’s right. I should go. This was a very bad idea,” she said with a hitch in her voice. Grant didn’t let the suitcase go easily. She tugged hard to get it out of his grasp. I could see the unshed tears in her eyes, and it tugged at my conscience. Was there something I was missing here? Did she really expect us to open our arms wide for her?

Blaire hurried to the exit. I watched the gleeful look stretch over Nan’s face as Blaire walked past her.

“Leaving so soon?” Nan asked her. Blaire didn’t respond.

“You ’re a heartless f**k. You know that?” Grant snarled beside me.

I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him. Nan strutted over to us with a triumphant grin. She’d enjoyed that. I understood why. Blaire was a reminder of all that Nan had missed out on while growing up.

“She looks exactly like I remember her. Pale and plain,” Nan purred, sinking down beside me on the couch.

Grant snorted. “You’re as blind as you are mean. You may hate her, but she’s mouthwatering.”

“Don’t start,” I warned Grant. Nan might appear happy, but I knew that if she dwelled on it too much, she’d break down.