The threatening smile left quickly. Drew handed Bethany a reputable paper to give her the details. He didn’t really want her to look at the tabloid with all its seedy glory. “The FBI has arrested David Ramesly and Ted Searson for drug smuggling and a few other charges.”
Bethany took the paper, a frown puckering her brows as she read.
“This is…” Jana glared at the paper. “Why would she give an interview with a tabloid reporter?”
“She’s our mother,” Drew said dryly. “Knowing wacko Margo, she probably enjoyed the attention.”
“Molson should have kept her in line, made certain she didn’t,” Jana huffed.
“He probably wasn’t there. He does pretend to work on occasion,” Drew sighed. “I’m not even sure if he’s still living with her or not.”
“Wait,” Bethany looked at them. “This validates everything I’ve been saying. About the boat Sweet Bethany, about my memories.”
“Yes, it does,” Drew was sorry he’d ever doubted her. “You were right all along.”
“I wasn’t crazy,” Bethany blinked back tears. “Every time he told me it was all in my mind, it wasn’t. Every time he made me feel silly and stupid, it was because he was covering their tracks. He made me feel like a child who didn’t know anything all! He had me drugged and undergoing therapy for years to protect himself!”
Bethany threw down the paper, hugging herself. “I am so angry at him!”
Jana nodded. The girl did possess a backbone after all. Bethany would need it if she decided to be with Drew. “I like her. Don’t screw this up Drew.”
Drew looked a little uncertainly at the sweet woman in front of him who was blazing angry right now. This was a new side of Bethany. “Thanks for the confidence boost Jana.”
“Can I punch something?” Bethany frowned. “I feel like punching something.”
“Sure,” Jana said easily. “Punch my brother.”
Drew gave his sister a dirty look. “There’s an exercise room downstairs. It has a punching bag.”
Bethany nodded. “You’ll have to teach me how.”
“You want to learn how to punch?” Drew asked, trying to mask his amusement.
“I want to learn everything when it comes to self-defense. I also want to beat the stuffing out of something for the way my father has been treating me all these years,” Bethany said firmly.
She was adorable when she pouted.
“Then let’s beat the stuffing out of a punching bag,” Drew held out a hand and didn’t even look at Jana as he lead Bethany out of the apartment. He didn’t care what his sister thought of his actions.
A couple of hours later, Drew and Bethany returned to the apartment. The chili was warm on the stove. There was a receipt and note on the table.
You owe me. Keep her.
Drew crumpled it up quickly.
“What did it say?” Bethany asked as she picked up the tabloid. She was tired after working through her anger. Drew had been very helpful in teaching her how to properly throw a punch so that she wouldn’t hurt herself.
“That I owe her money for the food,” Drew shrugged. “She likes you.”
“I like her,” Bethany looked at him for a moment. “She said you could get into trouble for letting me stay here with you.”
“Let me worry about that,” Drew said firmly.
“Are you certain?” Bethany frowned.
“Yes,” Drew grabbed a couple of bowls and started setting the table. “Now, more importantly, what do you drink with your chili?”
Bethany smiled. “I’m not sure since I’ve never had chili.”
