NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS

A Novel

ASHLEY DUKART

Nothing More, Nothing Less © Copyright 2013 by Ashley Dukart. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, by photography or xerography or by any other means, by broadcast or transmission, by translation into any kind of language, nor by recording electronically or otherwise, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in critical articles or reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-59298-551-7

E-book ISBN: 978-1-59298-550-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012916101

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design by Jessie Sayward Bright

Book design by Matthew J. Beier

Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc.

7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101

Edina, MN 55439-2129

(952) 829-8818

www.BeaversPondPress.com

To order, visit www.BeaversPondBooks.com

or call (800) 901-3480. Reseller discounts available.

This book is dedicated to my friends and family; and to anyone who has dealt with an addiction in any way shape or form.

CHAPTER ONE

Her body was warm against mine, our breathing ragged and fast. Her mouth claimed mine, our bodies moving together. She nipped and kissed my neck down to my chest, her tongue trailing down my stomach to my groin. A moan escaped my throat, and she came back to claim my mouth. I rolled over, placing her beneath me. Kissing her neck, I trailed along her collarbone before making my way down to her chest. My hands explored her body and she gasped and moaned.

Sweat beaded down my back as I made my way back up, lifting off her as I moved until I was straddling her on all fours. I looked into her eyes; the need and desire that shone within was deep and all consuming. A moan escaped her mouth as I lowered myself back down on top of her and began to move slowly at first. She arched her back and moved in rhythm to my own movements, which became faster, harsher, and more erotic with every passing second.

I kissed her again, her mouth claiming mine just as much as mine claimed hers. I heard the door open, so I broke from kissing her. Her breath was uneven against my neck.

“Get out,” I said, my voice rough and husky, “now.”

The door closed. I could hear voices arguing in the hallway, but ignored them and turned my attention back to the girl beneath me who was moaning with pleasure. I claimed her mouth again as my movements increased in tempo, her body shaking with need beneath me but not breaking the rhythm. Our bodies were craving the release we were waiting for, the tension and pressure building until finally it broke. She came and I followed, increasing her pleasure and mine.

For the next few moments nothing was said. The only noise that broke the silence was our breathing—ragged, harsh, and fast.

The door opened again. This time it pissed me off.

“Damn it, leave me alone.”

“Living room, now, Brandon.” The voice was stern and held an air of authority.

“In a minute.”

“No. Now!” The door closed.

I sighed and rolled off her. She turned onto her side and smiled.

“Pains, aren’t they?”

“You have no fucking idea.” I got up and slipped on my jeans.

“Are you going to go?” she asked. I glanced up at the sound of her persuasive plea, mischief playing in her eyes as she got up off the bed. She walked delicately toward me, her body glistening with sweat, her curves and body structure well-defined in the low light of my bedroom. I couldn’t pull my eyes from her tantalizing body.

“I don’t really have a choice.”

“Yeah, you do,” she said, her lips claiming mine. She tasted and teased as she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me closer. She pushed me back against the wall and continued to kiss me. Her hands moved along my back, her nails trailing down my spine and sending shivers across my skin. Within minutes our breathing was fast and the air thick and hot.

“My brother’s going to skin me,” I breathed.

“They can’t make you do anything,” she cooed, her voice soft. Her hands trailing down toward my groin, I pushed my head back against the wall and swallowed before looking back down into her eyes. Slowly she undid the zipper, a moan of pure pleasure escaping my throat as she slipped her hand inside.

“I don’t have time for this right now,” I said gruffly.

“Can’t you do fast?” her voice teased. Her eyes were alight, dying for a challenge, dying to ignore orders from one of higher authority.

I swallowed as she fingered, the groan escaping my mouth one of pleasure. I quivered at her touch and couldn’t help but feel the release my body was begging for.

“You’re giving me no choice,” I groaned.

“I know,” she breathed back, bringing me to the edge so fast and quick that it took everything I had to hold back.

I tilted my head back, my breathing sharp and rapid. My hands moved to her hips and she slipped my jeans down just enough to allow for what she wanted.

Flinging her arms around my neck, she smiled and her lips met mine. I lifted her up and turned, putting her back against the wall. I groaned as she placed herself slowly, her gasps and moaning echoing mine. It wasn’t slow, but harsh, rough, and fast, ending within minutes. Sweaty strands of her hair clung to my back, and we didn’t move. I heard my brother’s angry voice in the hallway.

“Damn it,” I said breathily as I let her down.

She went to the side of the bed and began to dress.

“What’s the worst they can do?”

I glanced over at her. She had her bra and jeans on already, but before I could answer the door flew open and the light to the room switched on.

“What the hell is your problem?” I shouted, turning to glare at the guy standing in my doorway. His body was tan and muscular, the T-shirt he wore straining its fibers to cover them. His dark, almost black hair was short, in a crew cut, but growing back from his last buzz and his eyes were alive with fury. It didn’t matter. I was done with the interruptions. They knew when the door was closed it meant to leave me alone.

“I told you to get your ass out here ten minutes ago. Tell your fling to go home.” His voice was steely and directed straight at me.

“No. She can stay.”

“Brandon, you’re not making this easy on us.” Another guy had appeared in the doorway. He was smaller than the first, lighter complexioned, and not as pronounced in his muscularity, but still not someone you would want to tangle with. His hair was a light brown, almost copper, but instead of anger in his voice, I heard the silent plea for cooperation.

“Hey, Brandon, I’m going to go, okay? I don’t want to get in between you and your brothers. Call me.” Her voice was soft, and she planted a kiss lightly on my lips before slipping on her T-shirt, flashing me a smile, and sauntering her way out. My brothers stepped aside to let her leave the room.

“I never asked for you to help me,” I spoke with defiance as I turned to grab my shirt off the floor.

“That’s not the point,” he said, angry.

“Damn it, why can’t you just leave me be and let me live my life as I want to? Who gives a damn if I’m a screw-up?”

I balled my fists, the one hand crumpling up the shirt I had picked up as I tried to control the anger I felt bubbling inside me.

“It wasn’t until after mom and dad—”

“You always bring them up. I don’t care, okay? It happened and it doesn’t matter anymore. Look, if I’m such a damn pain in your ass, I’ll leave. Is that what you want?” My voice had jumped two notches, the anger no longer controlled. I glared at my dark-haired brother, Ace, who always seemed to provoke the inevitable between us. He was the oldest of the three of us and he just couldn’t seem to learn to let me be.

Cole sensed the tension and walked into the room, turning to face Ace but standing between us to keep the already provoked fight hanging in the air at bay.

“Look, Ace, he’s just blowing off steam.” Calm.

Cole was always calm, no matter the situation. He never let his emotions get the best of him and controlled them with an air of authority I wish I had. Ace didn’t relax, his fists balled at his side as he glanced from me to Cole.

Rounding on him, Ace said, “Cole, you’re not helping.”

Cole held his ground. “Ace, I’m tired of you two always at each other’s throats. Can’t you give the fighting a rest? If he wants to be left alone, then let him be.” He emphasized the last three words.

“Cole, shut up for once. Just shut up, okay?”

I could tell Cole was livid and I knew by the look in his eyes he and Ace would have words once I was dealt with.

“As for you, Brandon, you’re not the only one who’s been suffering, but you’re not dealing with it.” Ace’s voice barely contained his disapproval as he pulled a small package of white powder out of his pocket and tossed it on the bed.

“I’m dealing with it, okay? It happened. It’s over. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care,” I said lividly. I barely took a second to glance at what he had tossed on the bed, but it was enough time to send shivers down my spine.

“Really? That’s why I found this tonight?”

“You went through my stuff?” I was appalled that he had gone through my things, but it wasn’t unlike him. It fueled my temper further and I felt my body shaking for the release, for the chance to just clock him in the head.

“I have every right to.”

“No, you don’t.” I spoke each word slowly, my voice icy as I fixed him with a hostile glare.

“Mom and Dad aren’t here, so, yeah, I do have every right. You’re living under my roof. And if you’re dealing with it, then why do you have these?” he said, tossing another packet on the bed that contained pills versus powder. I could tell he was ticked and the looming fight was like a thundercloud above the three of us. It had swelled to a breaking point, but Cole still stood in the middle braced to pull one of us back the minute we lunged at each other.

“What does it matter?” I retorted.

“Brandon, look what’s happening to you. Use your head. Come on, common sense.” Ace had taken a step forward. Cole turned slightly toward him ready for the next move.

Cole was twenty-four, the middle brother. He was younger than Ace by three years and older than me by four. I guess being in the middle made him feel like he had to referee our arguments, why I was never really sure but he did. He had broken up numerous fights between us and had scars to prove the brutality of some of them. If he could stop one before it began then he would.

“You’re ludicrous. I’m fine.” I shook my head. Cole glanced at me, but I was done. I wasn’t in the mood to fight. “I’m leaving. I can’t take this anymore. You’re worse than our father, and he was unbelievable.”

Hearing the disdain in my voice and the anger beneath, Cole sidestepped to let me by. Pushing past Ace, I walked out of my room.

“Brandon! This isn’t over!” His voice echoed around me as I walked away.

“Let him go. You two have been at it constantly about this and that. Give him space,” I heard Cole say as I made my way through the living room and out the front door letting it slam in my wake. Once outside, I realized it was drizzling lightly.

I walked for a while, thoughts of the past running through my mind. Pulling a pack of cigarettes out of my back pocket, I removed one and placed it in my mouth before replacing the pack and pulling out a lighter. Once lit I inhaled deeply and let the nicotine go to work beginning to calm me down. Anger still boiled inside me and I lashed out, punching the fence I had been walking beside.

“Why, damn it, why?” I shouted into the night.

Sliding down to sit against the fence, the anger gave way to pain, agony, and, worst of all, sorrow. “Why?” My voice cracked.

It wasn’t fair. Why was I dealt such a terrible hand in life? After everything that had happened, all I wanted was the chance to straighten everything out, to get back on track and start to change, but I didn’t know how. I just wanted to live life my way, the best way that I could, but it never seemed to work out that way; something always got in the way and it was getting harder and harder to care anymore.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and buried my head in them, letting the pain and distress sweep over me.

I wasn’t sure how long I was there or how much time had passed, but once the waves of intense misery had faded, I noticed the temperature had dropped a couple degrees and the moon had just begun its ascent into the night sky.

I took another drag on the cigarette in my hand as a black four-door Chevy truck came wheeling around the corner. It came to a screeching halt across the street from where I was sitting. I was soaking wet from the falling drizzle, but the cold was only numbing and I had ceased thinking.

“Brandon?”

“Who wants to know?” I snarled.

“Hey man, what are you doing way out here? Have another fight?”

“Yeah. Kate was over when it started and it just went downhill from there”

“Damn! He didn’t.”

“He did,” I said, taking another long drag and releasing the white smoke into the night as I exhaled. I finally looked up at the truck cab. Inside sat a guy shrouded in darkness, his outline the only thing visible when he moved.

“How long you been out here?”

“Don’t know. A while, I guess.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“I can take you back to your house, let you deal with your ass of a brother or . . .”

“Or what? Spill it, Bret.”

“Vince’s throwing a party over at his place. We are all cordially invited,” he said, mimicking one of a higher class.

I laughed and got to my feet dropping the cigarette and stomping it out.

“You in?”

“I don’t know, man.”

“Come on.”

“The last time I got caught. Ace has already found my stash, and . . .”

“Whoa, you mean the old stuff or new?”

“Old, thankfully, but . . .” I looked at him. “Ah, what the hell.”

He leaned over and unlocked the door; as I opened the door the cab filled with light. In the driver’s seat sat a young adult. His body was lean, his muscles toned, and his hair dark, wet, and tousled. His face had an almost boyish look to it when he grinned, but his smile never reached his amber eyes. They always held a distant look of a harsh, painful past. We clicked well because of it. I didn’t ask and he didn’t talk. I hopped in, slamming the door shut, and ran a hand through my wet hair.

“Man, you look like shit.”

“Don’t remind me. Just drive.”

We pulled up to Vince’s house. It wasn’t exactly a home, more of a shack he had turned into a livable place, but it worked for him.

We got out and walked to the door. Bret knocked and a few moments later Vince himself answered. He was tall and stocky, well built but couldn’t hold his own in a fight. He had no strength or stamina to him, probably because of how he used, but he was a hoot to be around—the life of the party as long as I had known him. His hair was jet black and his pale gray-green eyes were always glassy because he was always high on something.

“Hey, Bret, haven’t seen you in a while. Finally out of the penitentiary?” He looked Bret up and down in the doorway, his eyes searching for anything that might have meant otherwise, but a stupid smile on his face nonetheless.

“Have been for months, just haven’t had the time to come around.”

“Right,” he laughed, turning to me.

“And now? Word on the street is that you’ve gotten yourself into a little bit of trouble.”

“Key word is ‘little.’” I laughed.

“It’s good to see you again, Brandon. I never thought Ace would let you come over after last time,” he said, slapping me lightly on the back.

“Well, let’s just say it’s between you and me.”

“He doesn’t know?” Concern flashed across his features but in an instant they were gone, replaced by the same stupid smile he had been giving Bret since we had arrived.

“No, he doesn’t know much about me lately, and it’s driving him insane, but . . .” I shrugged. “I plan to keep it that way.”

“As you should.”

“Right you are.” I laughed.

“Come on and get in. We’re letting in all the cold. You”—he pointed to me—“upstairs and get on some dry clothes. I should have some in the bottom drawer of the dresser that should fit.”

I smiled and took off upstairs. His room was small, with just a bed and dresser. Off to the left was his closet and to the right was another doorway that led to his bathroom. I went to the dresser, grabbed some jeans and a shirt, and headed to his bed where I stripped off my wet clothes and slipped into the dry clothes. He was right—they fit perfectly and looked pretty new. I shrugged off the thought and headed back downstairs.

“So, what’s up? I can tell you’ve had a rough night.” Vince stopped me at the bottom of the steps where we sat down.

“Ah, hell, typical night lately, anyways.”

Someone, whom I didn’t recognize, brought over two cups and handed them to Vince. He nodded his head and the guy disappeared back into the crowd. It wasn’t unusual to see strange people at Vince’s, but I was never really sure of it myself. He raised an eyebrow as he handed me one of the cups. I nodded toward the direction where the guy had disappeared.

“Oh, that’s just a friend of mine in town. He’s gotten into a bit of trouble and needed a place to stay for a bit, so . . .” He shrugged. “It’s no big deal, don’t worry about it.”

I nodded and took a sip.

“So?” He was prodding me for an explanation to my state this evening.

“Ace found my old stash and then thought it was important enough to interrupt.”

“Interrupt?”

I gave him a “use your brain” kind of look and he laughed. “Man!”

“Tell me about it.” Sighing, I glanced down into my cup, the liquid swirling around. He stood and I glanced up at him.

“Well drink that there”—he pointed to my cup—“and it’ll take care of it.”

I took another drink.

“Oh and to add to it, here.” He tossed me a package; two pills were inside. “It’s my last one, but if you want to turn your night around . . .”

He didn’t need to finish. I knew what it was and what it would do. I looked at him.

“Thanks.” I popped them into my mouth, swallowing with another swig of my drink.

It didn’t take long for the effects to hit. A feeling of happiness overcame me and no longer did I care about my brothers—or anything else, for that matter—and before I knew it I was having a grand time; I felt on top of the world. Nothing mattered anymore.

I was making out with some girl I hardly knew when Bret showed up again. I broke away from her and looked him up and down.

“What the hell have you been up to?” I smirked.

His hair was tousled and he was shirtless, and if the smile on his face was anything to go by, I knew he had been up to something, something very immoral indeed.

“Oh you know, a little of this, a little of that.” He plopped down on the couch and whipped my drink away from me. The girl smiled at me and placed a piece of paper in my hand, her touch lingering.

“Call me,” she mouthed and motioned with her hand before leaving.

“Damn, man, where did you find her?”

“She found me,” I answered.

Standing up to get another drink, I spotted one of Cole’s friends across the room. Drake was a man of confidence and it could be seen in every attribute about him. Clean-shaven, tidy hair, and his solid, at-ease stance gave him an air of power and authority. In Vince’s house, this screamed “cop” to those who didn’t know him. He looked as if he had just come off the job, the switch he could turn on and off so easily in his mind still on. The people around him were wary and some even moved away, his presence making them nervous. His steely gaze raked the room as he spoke to Vince, who was looking nervous as he ran his hand through his already messy hair. I cursed under my breath and went back to Bret.

“Man, we need to leave,” I said to Bret, who stood up, wobbling slightly, and glanced around.

“Why?” Bret’s eyebrows twisted in dazed confusion when he couldn’t pinpoint the reason for my unease.

I pushed him slightly and he took a step forward to balance himself. He looked at me like I was losing it. I nodded my head in the direction where Drake was standing. “Drake just walked in.”

Bret looked over at him and shrugged. “Yeah, and what’s he going to do?”

“It’s not me so much as you. Drake’s the one that tossed you in last time.” Bret had been caught dealing a large amount of narcotics and only avoided doing a full sentence due to a technicality.

“Who cares?” He pulled me down onto the couch, that stupid boyish grin on his face, for once reaching his eyes. He was higher than a kite. “Just relax, it’s not like we’re doing anything illegal.”

“The hell you aren’t.”

I gritted my teeth at that voice. Having taken Demerol, my mind wasn’t clear, so instead of submitting to his authority, I decided to disregard it.

“Hey, officer, what seems to be the problem?” Bret was cocky and beat me to the punch.

I smiled inwardly as Bret laughed.

“Hey Drake, how’s it going?” I asked glancing up at him, his eyes serious. Definitely not enthused by Bret’s comment—“Had one yet?”—his face was shadowed as he looked down at me on the couch, but I could still see his unyielding attitude. His mouth was set in a line and his facial features were stern, his eyes meeting mine with a firm stare.

His eyes furrowed with suspicion as he looked from Bret to me and back again. “No, and you shouldn’t have had any either.”

“Fine, I’ll cut the small talk. I know why you’re here, and to be honest, I’ll save you the trouble and tell you that you are free to leave.”

His eyebrows arched up. “Come on Brandon, Cole’s worried and you know Ace is sorry.”

“The hell he is.” I turned my back on him and stared down at the floor.

“You haven’t exactly made this easy on them lately. You’re getting worse.”

“Yeah, like I give a damn, or anyone else for that matter.” My voice was a whisper. I hated it when I knew Drake was right, but I couldn’t admit it because they just didn’t understand.

“Your brothers do, whether you like to admit it or not.” I felt his hand come down on my shoulder.

“Just leave it alone, Drake,” I said quietly.

Silence.

I felt his hand tighten on my shoulder, but he just squeezed gently and then left, which kind of shocked me, not that I cared. I grabbed a cup and downed the contents before going to get another.

I saw him stop to tell Vince something before he left. Vince nodded and shook his hand before walking him to the front door. As soon as it shut behind Drake, Vince glanced over at me. Our eyes met for just a second and then I turned away and went back to Bret.

It wasn’t long after Drake left that the effects of what I had taken earlier began to wear off. I couldn’t remember what happened next except that there was a fuzzy memory of someone lifting me off the couch and putting me in the back of a car along with Bret.

I could hear voices, but couldn’t make out anything.

“Hey, Drake, thanks for finding him. I’ll call Ace and let him know he’s home so he can stop looking.”

“It’s not a problem, Cole, he’s like family.”

“He in the back?”

“Yeah, with Bret, whom I have to take home yet again.”

“That guy’s always in trouble, isn’t he?”

“Yes, not the best influence for Brandon, but right now he’s going through enough.”

“Yeah, and Ace and him just can’t seem to get along.”

“They will eventually. They’re both just trying to sort it out their own way.”

I heard the door open and the fresh night air rushed in, waking me further. My vision was blurry and I felt dizzy.

“Come on, Brandon,” someone said softly before strong, muscular arms helped me up. I could just make out Drake, standing by the door waiting for Cole to get me out of the car, and the porch lights in the distance, which were on.

“Can you walk?”

I nodded despite the double vision. Standing up was a task, since the ground spun violently the minute I did. I staggered forward, Cole catching and steadying me moments before I doubled over and vomited.

“You know if he took anything?” Cole asked Drake as I was puking my guts out in the front yard. I could feel Cole’s hands holding me steady.

“I don’t know, Cole. I know he was definitely drinking, because they were both out of it when I picked them up, but otherwise I don’t know.”

“Okay, well thanks again, Drake.”

“You’re welcome.”

I heard another car door open and then close before the engine roared to life and the car took off.

“Cole?” I heard the question in my voice.

“I’m here, Brandon. Come on, let’s get you inside.”

I couldn’t remember how we got inside or where exactly I was, but Cole was there and that was slightly reassuring. I didn’t remember Cole picking me up, but I was there in his arms as we entered my room. He lay me on the bed and undid my shoes.

“Cole?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t tell Ace,” I mumbled.

“I’ll do my best, little brother.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled before the darkness swept over me.

The slamming of a door woke me.

“Where is he?” an angry voice said.

“In his bedroom.”

“What on earth was he thinking? Running off like that?”

“Ace, calm down. He’s home.”

“Yeah, and I’m sure he didn’t have an innocent night.”

It was silent.

“What did he do, Cole?”

“What every young adult does when he’s pissed.”

“Did he take something?”

There wasn’t an answer.

“Come on, Cole.” Seething anger filled his voice.

“Look, Ace, leave it till morning. You’ll find out soon enough, okay? Bursting in there and waking him up now isn’t going to help anything, except drive him away again.”

“Cole—”

“I know, Ace, but give him some time. He will straighten out. You fighting the issue isn’t helping. Look, let’s go to bed and deal with it in the morning.”

CHAPTER TWO

Waking up was unpleasant and at that moment I wished I hadn’t been so stupid the night before. The sun streaming in through the hole in the curtains was bright on my eyes. My head exploding in pain, I sat up. Wrong move. Bolting out of bed I ran into the bathroom where I was violently sick for a few minutes before I slid down to sit against the tub and lean against the cool tile.

I hadn’t realized I had fallen back asleep until I heard the door open.

“Come on, get up.”

“What’s going on?” I slurred, exhaustion making it hard to comprehend.

“You tell us.” Ace grabbed my arm and tried to haul me up.

I struggled with him for a minute, but he finally just grabbed me by my shirt back and lifted me off the floor.

“Come on, let’s go.” He pulled me forcefully into the living room.

“Ace, easy, he’s not a dummy.”

I agreed. Ace’s rough movements hadn’t sat well with my pounding head and revolting stomach.

“Move,” I managed to say before yanking free from his grip. I ran into the nearest room, which just happened to be the kitchen, but I didn’t make it to the trashcan. Cole found me puking into the sink. He came over and handed me a towel and turned on the faucet to the sink. Water poured against the bottom. I took the towel from him but didn’t back away from the sink, just stared at the swirling water.

It was only then that I realized that I was shaking and sweating.

“Come on.” He turned off the water and I turned away from the sink, catching his eye in the process. Concern laced his features, but he didn’t say anything else.

He led me to the couch, where I lay down and grabbed a pillow that I thoughtfully put over my face, blacking out the light and easing the throbbing in my head.

But, of course, that lovely reasoning my eldest brother had insisted he had to discipline me. Ripping the pillow from my grasp, he tossed it across the room. His face was set in a hard, unforgiving, not-going-to-give-anything-away expression, and his eyes were alight with anger. He towered over me and I glanced toward Cole, who leaned casually against the wall across the room.

“Brandon, where were you last night?”

“Out with friends.”

“Doing what?”

“Oh, come on, Ace. Do you have to know everything?”

“Well, Drake dragging you in last night didn’t exactly please me.”

“So what?”

“So I want to know what the hell you were doing.” He raised his hands in a “I don’t understand” gesture.

“What’s it look like I was doing?” I said acerbically. “Besides, it doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, finding you in this condition this morning doesn’t really matter?” His voice was rising and I could hear the anger behind it.

“No, it doesn’t,” I pretty much shouted as I bolted up, but regretted it immediately when every word felt like it was splitting open my head.

“Damn it, you’re impossible.” He walked to the door but stopped, his shoulders hunched as he fought the rising temptation, I assumed, to either leave or pummel me.

He ran his hand through his hair and I saw his shoulders relax as he took a calming breath before turning around. “Do you think this is easy for me? Us? You constantly running off, doing who knows what? You’re doing drugs, you’re having sex, and you’re drinking. What’s next, Brandon? ’cause I would really like to know so I can prepare myself for it.”

Glancing up at him I saw the genuine concern in his features, but a part of me couldn’t get past that he was meddling in my life and that still made me angry.

“What the hell do you care for? You’ve never really bothered with it before,” I snapped.

“Well, this isn’t before,” he shouted, his fist slamming into the chair.

“They didn’t care either. You have no idea what I’ve been doing my entire life. It’s only recently that you feel you have a responsibility to know. And you know what? You don’t. They didn’t care, and they let me do what I wanted. They never had a problem with it,” I said brusquely.

End of this sample Kindle book.

Enjoyed the sample?

Buy Now

or

See details for this book in the Kindle Store