Page 47 (2/2)

For a longAbby’s tuaze darted between the two men

Josh looked Toaze slide over to Abby She didn’t quite like the way he examined her, from the tips of her toes to the top of her head Much like To stare felt … She held in a shudder Not threatening But definitely not friendly Insolent Toers flexed over hers and she forced herself to breathe noret to her Tom hadn’t wanted to come today, she remembered Jess had insisted Abby sed They’d all known tonight would be tense, then And no one had seen fit to warn her she alking into a viper’s nest of family drama She lifted her chin Josh would not intimidate her, however That much she could control

Josh finally looked back at To on his lips

She heard the strain in Tom’s voice as he spoke “Josh Welcome home” To her surprise Tom held out his hand She was i all the hostility in the air and the fact that it was clear Josh was deliberately trying to provoke Tom

Josh didn’t answer Instead he drew back and sucker punched Tom in the jaw

Abby’s heart hit her throat the round Josh stood above his cousin, his fingers still clenched and his eyes blazing blue fire In shock, her heart pounding, she knelt down beside a stunned Tom “Oh, my God, are you okay?”

His black eyes met hers for an instant “Yeah, I’ up His hand rubbed the side of his face where Josh’s fist had connected with bone Tom looked up at Josh and his eyes burned with an intensity that was frightening “The first one was free,” he said, with quiet steel underlining the words “The next one won’t be”

Slowly Toht? Abby pulled on his aro”

Meggie rushed up, To on?”

Josh leaned forward, his fingers still curled in a fist Another dark-hairedJosh’s arm with one hand The Rick person Jess didn’t like Better and better

“I’ritted teeth, though his gaze never left Toht, cousin?”

Abby looked from Josh to Tom An old score? What on earth?

“The score was settled,” Tohtly “And you dao, Josh It makes no difference now”

He sounded so tired So weary, and Abby was suddenly aware of the resigned expressions of everyone around them Like they’d all expected the explosion Toet out of here” He took her hand and to her relief started to walk away The last thing she wanted was for hi that apparently reat deal to the rest of his family

But Josh wasn’t as willing to let it go