That ship had sailed and was a faint glimmer on the horizon.
She straightened her shoulders and added a little more wattage to her smile. “We should go greet the happy couple.”
“You mean, get it over with?” he retorted, dark eyebrow arched. She’d once detested the gesture, but now counted each one.
“That’s what I said.”
His low chuckle tripped over her bare arms. Inhaling a deep breath, she allowed him to guide her over to the trio who stoically watched their approach.
“Trevor, Madison, congratulations.” She leaned forward and stiffly kissed Madison’s cheek. Although she did return the feigned embrace, most likely for those closely observing them, Madison’s rigid posture didn’t relax. Straightening, Shaynodded to her brother’s future father-in-law. “Senator.”
“Shay,” he murmured coldly.
“Your sister wanted to see you, wish you well,” Gideon said to Trevor, his tone frigid, but she detected the undercurrent of anger. Of hatred. “She has a forgiving heart considering you put her out of her own house.”
Oh God.
“She left by her own choice,” Trevor snapped, the fury in his eyes leakinginto his face. His lips twisted into an ugly snarl. “But come now, Gideon. We both know how tryingsisterscan be.”
Nausea churned in her belly and raced for the back of her throat.
Dark waves of rage poured off Gideon, and he moved forward. Terrified, she latched on to his arm, fearful of what he might do to her brother. And she fearedforGideon, for the consequences he might sufferfor his actions. She harbored no doubt that Trevor would enjoy pressing charges and using it against him.
“Gideon, no,” she pleaded softly. “It’s what he wants.”
Trevor sneered. “Shay, I need to speak to you. Alone,” he stressed.
“Fine,” she agreed, more to separate Gideon from Trevor than to be amenable. “Gideon,” she whispered. When he tore his still-frightening stare from her brother,she squeezed his arm. “I’ll be right back.”
“You don’t have to do this,” he reminded her, just as softly, but the fury still vibrated in his voice.
“Yes, I do,” she returned. Rising onto her toes, she placed a kiss on his jaw. “They’re not worth it.” She waited for his abrupt nod before she turned back to her brother. “In the study, I assume.”
Not waiting for his confirmation, shestrode toward the rear of the house. Anger bristled under her skin, poking her like thousands of tiny needles. When she entered her brother’s domain, she could barely look at him.
“How dare you bring that asshole into my house?” Trevor ground out through clenched teeth as soon as he closed the study door behind them.
“Your house?” She crossed her arms. “You were right when you told Gideonthat I chose to leave. Chose. Because this isourhome, Trevor. I can bring whoever I want here, and you have no say. I don’t need to ask your permission.”
“I would’ve never thought you were a traitor,” he snarled. “Mom and Dad wouldn’t recognize you right now.”
She absorbed the power of that blow and fought not to stagger from it. But the pain ebbed and flowed inside her.
Stand tall.He can’t hurt you.
Inhaling a deep breath, she pushed past it.
“You’re such a hypocrite,” she said, surprised at her even tone. “So righteous and high-and-mighty. And to think I defended you. Believed in you. Trusted you. But you didn’t deserve any of it.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Shay?” he demanded. “I’ve done nothing but honor this family, the Neal name,you. You, babysister, betrayed me.”
“By thinking for myself, wanting something for myself? For daring to defy you? I’m not a sheep, Trevor. I have a mind. I have feelings. I have a heart, but there’s only one Neal who can claim to possess the last two. Because somewhere along the way, you lost them to jealousy, pettiness and hate. No,big brother,” she said, throwing his taunt back at him. “I’ve done nothingbut stand by this family. I’ve protected it when you would’ve destroyed it with your greed and ambition.”
“You need to stop right there,” he warned in a dark growl, taking a step forward.
But he didn’t intimidate her. Didn’t control her. Not anymore. She didn’t wait for him to advance, but marched forward and met him halfway.
“No, you stop. And listen. I know what you and your precioussenator are up to,” she said. “Insider information. Fixing contracts. Kickbacks. Illegal campaign contributions. And that’s just the tip of it.” When he rocked back in shock, his eyes flaring wide, she nodded. “Yes, Trevor, I know about it all. Because Gideon has a file on you, inches thick. I’ve seen it, read it. I’m aware of all your dirty dealings, which if made public could topple RemingtonNeal,ruin the Neal name and send you and Julian to jail.”
