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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

RYLAN

Rylan took a deep breath and snatched open the door before they could pound on it again. He stood taller as he took in his dad in front of him, anger radiating from the older man. His fists clenched at his sides and there were unhealthy red splotches dotted along his face and neck.

Wondering if this was two against one, he chanced a glance at his brother, who stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking sheepish. When he realized his brother wasn’t angry, he turned back to his father and raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to speak.

Cameron, in a show of support, ran his finger along the back of his hand, letting him know he was close. He let out a breath; he wasn’t alone any longer.

After several months of being away from the toxic environment that was his childhood home, Rylan realized he hadn’t thought about his family once since he’d packed up and left.

He never understood what his mother saw in the man she married. But now being married Cameron and happy with his life, he couldn’t fault her. His father might have been a different person than the one standing in front of him when his mother met him.

His dad broke the silence.

“So it’s true. You shacked up with some rich guy. Do you put out for his money?”

Rylan sensed without looking at his husband that he bristled at the asinine statement from his father. He remained silent, not even bothering to react to the absurd question.

In his silence, his father shifted from one foot to the other, running an agitated hand through his closely cropped hair. It was obvious he wanted something, so Rylan sped up the conversation.

“So, Tristan called you and told you where I lived and now you’re here. For what?”

“Tristan was good to us, a good friend to your brother. So why would you have him arrested?”

“Well, father. Tristan tried to rape me when I was seventeen. He left me alone for a while, but I suspect it was because he wanted to finish college before he moved back. Then he found I lived here, he threw a brick through our window and we served him with a restraining order. Despite that, he found me during a business meeting in Denver and tried to choke me to death in front of the entire restaurant. All that while yelling gay slurs at me and promising to kill me. So why do you think I had him arrested?”

Rylan noticed that while he spoke, Declan grew paler until he shook.

His father pulled his attention away from his brother by growling, “Don’t fucking speak like that, I won’t fucking have it.”

He stood straighter.

“You’ve never been a father. You chose not to give a shit about me. I found out about the money mom left both of Declan and me, and you gambled it away. Then I found out you applied and received parent student loans for both of us while we were in college and used that money for the same thing. Why do you think I lived in the basement? You took the money I was planning on using for my education and acted as if I wasn’t worth your time or attention andnowyou think I should treat you with respect. Fuck that.

“I will repeat my question so I can move on with my day. What doyoufucking want?” Rylan could feel his body shake with rage.

“What do you think I want? You’re fucking a rich guy and I want what’s due.”

“Nothing… is… due… to… you!”

“Do you want me to kick your little snide ass right now and take what I want?”

Rylan opened his mouth to reply, but Cameron squeezed his fingers. Rylan turned his head and smiled before he stepped to one side, which allowed Cameron to reveal himself.

This will be fun.

“I don’t think you’ve met my husband. This is Cameron, the guy you think I shacked up with for his money.”

Cameron wrapped his arm around Rylan’s waist and pulled him against his side. He stood tall, all of his six foot three inch muscular frame on display, his left hand clenched into a fist at his side leaving his biceps bulging. Rylan admired the fierce scowl on his face.

“I’ve heard everything you’ve said about my husband and I know none of it is true. When I married Rylan, he became my family and you have no claim on anything he has or earns. Rylan owes you nothing and if you don’t get off our property, I will make you.”

Rylan smiled at the fear reflected in his father’s eyes. But despite that, he wouldn’t budge.

“I’m not leaving empty-handed.”

“You have no leverage here. We could sue you for what you’ve already stolen from your two children. And trust me, I have the money, the lawyers, and plenty of time to drag you through the court system and make sure we smear your name because of it. And you will still end up with nothing. The decision is yours to make.”