Page 60 of Resist

“So Jason is twenty, huh?”

I gave him an acknowledging eyebrow raise and took another sip.

“What’s he studying?”

“Architecture”

“Nice. So he was a Lego kid then?”

I laughed. “Come to think of it, yes he was. I was forever stepping on the bastard things.”

His eyes were kind as they assessed me. “I think it’s great you have Jason. Sons are the best.”

I laughed again.

He put his mug down and touched my cheek. “Ah … there they are, your glittering eyes.”

I blushed and diverted my gaze. “Stop it.”

“No. Your eyes really do glitter when you laugh.”

“Well, I guess you should know, because you’re always bloody making me laugh.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

I shrugged. “No. But I feel you’re wasting your time on me.”

He just shook his head and ignored what I’d said. “So, Colin … wanna tell me about him?”

“Not particularly, but I can.”

Lucas leaned back in his chair, his legs stretched out like a slide. He didn’t say anything, so I continued.

“We got married when I was twenty-one and had Jason a year later. I divorced him two years ago after a lifetime of physical and mental abuse.” I noticed Lucas’s hand clench, his knuckles white.

“And he’s living in Cairns now?”

“Yes. You might know of him. He’s the CEO of SunCoast Bank.”

Lucas coughed and nearly choked on his coffee. “That’s him?”

“Yep. Mr Sunny Smiles.” A chill ran up and down my spine. I knew what evil lurked behind his commercial billboard, toothy grin.

“He’s worth a bit.”

“Last time I checked, his reported net earnings were eight million annually.”

“Fuck me!”

“And, yes, I did take him to the cleaners when we divorced. That’s how I managed to buy the revue.” I glanced out at the ocean, guilt hitting me with force.

“What’s wrong? You shouldn’t feel bad about that. You were entitled to whatever you got, no doubt even more.”

“Yeah, but I got it at a price.” I sucked in a deep breath then let it out. “And that price was keeping my mouth shut about the abuse.”

Lucas reached out and touched my knee. “You did what you thought was right at the time. Don’t beat yourself up about it. That bastard has done enough of that already.”

“I fund a women’s shelter,” I blurted. “Anonymously. I know it doesn’t make up for not bringing to light his crimes, but it’s something … you know?”