“So now it’s brother?” Vince shouts. “All these years, you’ve reminded me I’m only yourstepbrother, but you choose now, in hatred, to call me your brother?” Vince spits out.
Lawrence lowers the gun to his side and steps back.
In this moment, I actually feel sorry for the man. When the pain in his eyes gets to be too much, I glance back to Valerie.
“I’m sorry, but I love him.” She says it so quietly, I almost miss it.
“You lovehim?” Lawrence yells. He raises the gun again. “Lucy, I need you to leave now.”
Lucy shakes her head. “No, Dad, don’t do this.”
“Vince Gardiner?” a third male voice asks from the entry.
“You invited someone over?” Lawrence hisses as he puts his gun behind his back.
“No.” Vince retorts.
“Vince. There you are.”
I can’t see the man, but the voice is familiar.
“Ted? What the hell are you doing here?” Lucy demands.
The man steps forward, and yes, it’s Ted.
Why the hell is he looking for Vince? Or looking here? Shit, did Lucy read my text about him?
“Oh, Lucy, what a surprise. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have to speak to Vince now.” Ted glances to him. “Why are you in your underwear?”
“Who the fuck are you?” Lawrence challenges.
Ted turns to Lawrence, looks him up and down, and frowns. “None of your concern. I have business with Vince.”
Ah shit. Lawrence is going to lose it.
“Business? What kind of business?” Lucy asks.
“That’s private,” Ted responds. The idiot is smiling, completely oblivious to what is playing out in front of him. “Why are you here, Lucy?”
“None of my concern? You’re in my fucking house!” Lawrence yells.
Almost simultaneously, Valerie puts her hand on Ted’s shoulder. “This is not a good time.”
What a complete clusterfuck and I’m stuck in the pantry.
“This is my family’s house. How do you know my uncle Vince?” Lucy asks.
“He’s your uncle? We’ve done some business together. Speaking of, Vince, I need that money now. I have to leave town tonight,” Ted says.
Vince sputters, “If you haven’t noticed, I’m a little busy here.”
“Ted, why do you have to leave town tonight?” Lucy asks.
“Wait. Ted? Is this the prick that harassed you?” Lawrence demands.
Ted turns his attention to Lawrence. “Are you Lawrence Gardiner?” He glances to Vince, who nods. “Two men broke my left hand and said it was a message from you. I need it for work.”
Mr. Gardiner sighs impatiently. “You’re whining over that? Come near my daughter again, and I’ll kill you.”
