Page 19 of In Love and Revenge

‘One stupid, moronic time when he was pissed out of his goddamn head.’

‘Alcohol brings out the truth,’ Angelo mutters.

I suck a breath in through my nose. I could have decked my father that night. Gabe and I hoped Angelo was too young to remember it. Even my father was so pissed he doesn’t recall it and has never mentioned it since.

But as it turns out, an eight-year-old never forgets hearing his father’s slur to himself late one night about how his youngest son was an accident. One he’d asked our mother if she was sure about keeping.

I pat him on the back with my free hand, the motion acting like an injection of strength that has him squeezing me back before easing out of my embrace.

‘I’m sorry you had to bail me out again,’ he says, avoiding my eyes.

‘Next time you need to let off steam, call me first, okay? I’ll be there.’

He side-eyes me, his lips lifting into a hint of a cocky smile. ‘Yeah? You down for that again?’

I shake my head at the growing gleam in his eyes. ‘It’d be a lot easier if your vice was women instead of fighting.’

‘Who says it isn’t both?’

I smirk, unable to stay mad at him for long. This is Angelo. He’s always had this infectious, cheeky bravado about him. A sense of freedom and fun. He’s magnetic. That’s how people describe him. And he’s smart when he isn’t busy acting like an idiot and getting in trouble.

It’s why he’s so good at bringing new clients onboard. They like him. And he knows the family business. Even if he questions if he belongs some days.

‘How about you? You taking anyone home to meet Mum and Dad soon? Get them off your case?’ He elbows me in the ribs as we stride out of the lift and into the foyer.

I don’t dignify his ridiculous question with an answer. He knows how I feel about taking a woman home to meet my mother, who will then suck her into a world of wedding organising before she can even get through the door.

AJ turns, stuffing a magazine behind his back where he’s straightening up the waiting area.

‘Brought some light reading, huh? What is it? Housewives or naughty doctors? I’m not picky,’ Angelo jokes, walking over and whipping it out of his hands.

His eyes widen as he takes in the front cover, before he bursts into laughter.

‘Some children visited with a client this morning,’ AJ flounders, trying to rip the magazine back out of AJ’s clutches. But he’s no match for my brother, who holds it up in the air as he continues laughing at whatever it is he’s finding so amusing.

‘Man, I love kids.’ Angelo beams, thrusting the cover into my chest and patting me on the shoulder. ‘Suits you, bro.’ He winks before heading off towards Gabe’s office with a swagger, having bounced back from our conversation in the lift already.

AJ’s eyes are wide as he watches me peel the magazine from my shirt and study the cover. It’s the interview from last month.

‘I’ll get it replaced straight away,’ he splutters.

I frown as I take in the thick black marker, drawn on with angry, hurried slashes, like the artist’s hatred was bleeding out with the ink.

It’s the cover photo of me in a suit.

Only with the addition of giant horns, a tail, and a pitchfork.

And a monobrow.

‘I don’t have a bloody facial hair problem,’ I spit, crumpling the magazine inside my fist.

‘Of course not, Mr Fairfax,’ AJ agrees. ‘It’s kids being kids.’

‘Yeah, right ... kids,’ I echo.

I give him a tight smile and storm into my office, the ruined magazine in my fist.

Locking the door behind me, my phone is out of my pocket, and her profile is up before my arse even hits the seat behind my desk. I scowl at her face, ready to unleash a barrage of abuse. But then an unfamiliar pink frilly neckline makes my breath catch. She’s in a new blouse today. One that’s sheer and shows her lace bra through it.