Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

this is really about. You gave yourself away Faith when you said your little brother. Not so long ago you would have called him our little brother. You’re letting the past taint the present. I see it every time you’re around Mum. That pain is festering inside you and you’ve got to stop it before it ruins everything.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she said, shrugging off her jacket and hanging it up.

“That wasn’t business today, it was personal. What happened to you wasn’t Kevin’s fault, it was dad’s and he’s dead. Kevin wasn’t even born when you were abducted.”

“It was Rose’s fault too,” she said, eyes flashing. “Don’t forget that.”

“How could I? But don’t take it out on the others. It’s nothing to do with them.”

“Kevin criticised every decision I made.”

“So? Or are you now so despotic you can’t handle any criticism?”

“I am not a despot,” she retorted.

“We are allowed to question your decisions Faith. This isn’t a dictatorship.”

“Kevin didn’t just question my decisions. He thinks he should be running things. What sort of leader would I be if I just rolled over?”

“Yes, you’re in charge but we are first and foremost a family.”

“I didn’t expect you to take this line.”

“Why not?”

“You’re the hardest of us all but you’re acting the peacemaker.”

“I’m not the hardest Faith, you are. I could never have spoken to Kevin like you did today.”

“Because he shares your blood.”

“I knew that’s what this is really about.”

“All right, I admit it,” she sighed. “It has been getting to me lately.”

“Any particular reason why you’re struggling with it more now?”

“It’s Mum. There’s just something smug about her. I’m sure she’s up to something.”

“No she’s not. You want her to be so you can retaliate and tell everyone what she and dad did.”

“She’s sly Vance and she’s very clever. I’ve just got the feeling that she’s biding her time.”

He took her by the shoulders. “She’s not Faith. You’re still dealing with what Marlow did to you and you never did recover from the shock of finding out that you were abducted as a baby. I think you should go back to the counsellor.”

“I am. I’ve got another appointment booked.”

“Not until next week. You should see her sooner.”

“We’ve got enough going on without me wasting time like that. It can wait until all this with the firefighters is over.”

“It’s not a waste of time. You need to get your head straight Faith.”

“It is straight Vance,” she yelled back at him. “I just…”

“Just what?” he said when she sighed and trailed off, attempting to work out how to phrase what she was feeling.

The challenge in his own eyes reminded her of Kevin and her temper skyrocketed. “I just want you all to appreciate all the fucking effort I go to to keep you safe,” she exclaimed.

“I get it now. You’re afraid someone will do to us what Marlow did to you.”

Tears filled her eyes and she turned her back on him.

He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned back against him, too ashamed of her fear to face him.

“What we do is so dangerous,” she said. “And I’m scared all the time that I’ll make a decision that will get one of you hurt. It’s always pressing down on me, which is why what Kevin said was an insult.”

“Why didn’t you just tell him how you felt? He would have understood.”

“No he wouldn’t. He’s hardly the sensitive type.”

“I still think you should tell him what you’ve told me. After seeing you in your hospital bed he would get it.”

Faith threw him off and wiped her eyes on the backs of her hands. “I’m explaining fuck all to him. Why should I? I’m not running a nursery here, it’s a business.”

“You have to make it up with him. If you don’t then the resentment will fester.”

“Why should I apologise?” she said, turning to face him. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Because you’re the bigger person. Kev’s ego won’t allow him to apologise first, even though he’ll be desperate to make it up with you.”

“Then he should grow up because I am not apologising.”

“Faith, you have to.”

“Fuck you Vance,” she yelled. “I’m not apologising.”

“You’ve no choice if you want to keep the peace,” he yelled back.

“Just piss off and leave me alone,” she snarled, storming for the door.

Before she could reach it, he grabbed her and pulled her to him.

“Get off me,” she exclaimed, shoving him away.

“God I love you,” he breathed before pulling her back to him and kissing her.

She tore her mouth from his. “You mean you love a dictator like me?”

“Yes,” he said, kissing her again.

Faith’s protests died as she kissed him back, arms locking around his neck. He pushed her up against the wall, tearing down her jeans while she unfastened his.

“Vance,” she cried when he entered her.

“You take your pain out on me,” he panted as they moved together. “Not the others, okay?”

“If Kev ever challenges me again like he did today then he’ll get more of the same,” she retorted. “They’re not kids anymore.” She gasped when he drove into her even deeper, yanking his t-shirt off over his head and clinging onto him.

He grunted when she sank her teeth into his shoulder.

“We have to stick together,” he told her. “We can’t be fighting each other. It will tear us apart.”

“Give Kev the lecture, not me. He’s the one who started it.”

Faith threw back her head, crying out as he kissed her breasts, drawing Vance down into his own orgasm.

“Mmm, that’s better,” she purred, flopping forward onto him, a contented smile on her lips.

“Feeling calmer now?” he panted, cradling her in his arms.

“Yes, thank you.”

He kissed her