Page 123 of Wasted

Whoa. Had Weston really stooped to threats and intimidation? He wouldn’t have made such calls himself, of course. Probably hired someone.

“And then one night, I’m sure there was someone sitting in a car across the street, watching me. I told my lawyer to drop the suit the day after that. I don’t have anyone to protect me.”

Poor woman. The heat of anger pumped through Cillian’s torso. What a coward Weston was, hiring thugs to scare a lonely old lady. “Did you report any of this to the police?”

“No, my lawyer was concerned I didn’t have enough evidence to do so.”

Cillian clenched his jaw. Maybe the lawyer had been paid off by Weston, too. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Mrs. Faint.”

“I just don’t want the same thing to happen to your grandma. I’ve never been so frightened in my life.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate your kindness in telling me. I’ll pass the information along.” To Dr. Weston himself.

“Good. It’s just not worth going through that.”

“You’re probably right. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you now or in the future. You have my number.”

“What a sweet boy. Your grandma must be so proud of you.”

If he actually had one.

“Take care of her and yourself, young man.”

“Yes, ma’am, I will. You have a good night.”

He ended the call and slid the phone into his back pocket. Tension twisted his muscles. Maybe he should go to Henry Weston now, birthday dinner or not, and confront him with what he’d done to the sweet old lady. For intimidating and threatening her into keeping silent about the malpractice. Which he was clearly guilty of, since he’d resorted to such tactics to keep her quiet.

Cillian ground his teeth together as he stared at nothing in Victoria’s living room. He’d hoped to find dirt on Weston this way, but the truth of it was dirtier than even he had expected. Victoria’s father was worse than he’d thought. How would she take learning that he was guilty of malpractice and threatening an elderly patient?

Pushing a hand through his hair, Cillian blew out a breath. He had the leverage he needed now. But should he use it?

The truth could hurt Victoria pretty badly. And she might not thank him for exposing it. If he worked her father the right way, Henry Weston would meet Cillian’s demands to keep the truth from everyone, including his family. Cillian could get Weston to stop controlling Victoria, and she would never need to know why or hear of her father’s potentially criminal actions.

But it was a risky play. It could go sideways and have the wrong effect on Victoria.

She was trusting Cillian a lot now as he tried to help her do the right things. She’d even joined him in trailing and capturing Glenn, despite her fear of disobeying the police and irritating her father.

It was another great sign that she was pulling away from Henry Weston, getting free from his hold bit by bit as Cillian helped her to do so.

Yeah. He didn’t need to use his leverage over her father yet. He’d keep it in his back pocket to pull out if necessary. He wasn’t going to let Victoria waste any more of her life in the doctor’s control. But things were looking very good right now, and?—

“Cillian? Are you still here?” Victoria’s voice carried in front of her from the hallway where she appeared, Sydney trailing behind her. “Oh, good.”

His thoughts exactly. Or more like wow and incredible.

Victoria Weston was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen no matter what she wore. But the formal green dress she’d changed into took her natural attractiveness to a whole different level. The floor-length dress had long sleeves and a wide, curved neckline that revealed only her slim neck and a hint of her shoulders before modestly draping her slim figure, hinting at her curves and highlighting her undeniable femininity. She looked like a queen.

He opened his mouth to say so.

“Sydney wants to tell us something together.” Victoria’s serious tone held an edge of urgency that stopped him from voicing his admiration.

He managed to drag his gaze from her and glance at the short girl in a tank and sweatpants that stretched around her pregnant belly.

“You’ve both been so nice to me, and I know you want to help. And your brother said it would really help me.” Sydney paused, her eyes widened and her face a little pale. “So I want to tell you what you’ve been asking.”

The sentence didn’t quite make sense, but he got the gist.

“We do want to help you, Sydney. You can trust us.” Victoria touched the girl’s arm.