There was no hiding the glee in my voice, and when Jase responded, I could hear him smiling. “That’s amazing, sweet pea. I’m happy for you.”
“It’ll take a while,” I continued. “There’s a lot that needs to be done, but I’ll be sure to send you pictures of the progress so you don’t freak.”
“I’d appreciate that. You tell Bennett yet? He’ll want to know.”
A wave of nostalgia crashed into me at hearing that name. The only other person besides Jase who’d ever shown me any affection was our driver, Bennett. He’d been working for our family for years, starting off with my grandfather before moving to us when Grandpa passed away of a heart attack years ago.
He’d been such a huge part of my life for so long, that, in spite of the fact he was already in his seventies, he was more of a father figure to me than my own had ever been. He’d taught me how to ride a bike and roller skate. Every ballet recital or cheerleading competition I was in, Bennett was in the audience, beaming proudly. He wasn’t just a driver to me. He was my family, putting himself in the role of parent when it became obvious my own couldn’t be bothered with me.
He was at my high school and college graduation. He attended every football game just so he could watch me cheer on the sidelines. He’d been there when I was crowned Homecoming Queen, and he’d been the one to dry my eyes that very same night after I caught my boyfriend making out with my best friend at the dance.
Bennett was present for every single milestone in my life, and the truth was, I was in Redemption because of him.
This was the very town he’d grown up in, and he’d spent years telling me stories of his childhood. So when the time came for me to start over, I’d picked a place I’d never been, but had such fond memories of, all because of Bennett.
I’d often asked him why he’d never gone back if he missed his hometown so much, and he’d always brushed my question off. Then one day, the day of my eighteenth birthday, he’d given me the truth. He had planned to go back. Until my brother and I came into his life. He’d fallen in love with us just as we had with him, and he couldn’t bring himself to leave us behind.
He blamed himself for not being there that night to protect me, and no matter how many times I tried telling him it wasn’t his fault, I just couldn’t seem to get through. He felt like he’d failed me, and I could see the pain in his eyes every time he’d looked at me.
I wasn’t just an employer to him. I’d been like a daughter, and as far as he was concerned, he’d fallen down on his job.
As much as it hurt to leave him and Jase behind, it was what I needed to fully heal, and when I told Bennett where I planned on going, I’d nearly come undone at the tears that formed in his eyes before he pulled me into a crushing embrace and whispered how proud of me he was.
“Not yet, but I will,” I told my brother.
“Good. I know he’d love that. He’s missing you something fierce, sweet pea.”
That lump in my throat returned, doubling in size and making my voice rough and husky. “I miss him too. I miss both of you, but I worry about him with Mom and Dad. If they knew I got the idea to move here from him—”
“They won’t find out,” Jase assured me. “Only people who know the reason behind you picking that town are the three of us, and none of us are telling.”
That was a bit of a relief, but I still had other concerns when it came to Bennett. “I hate thinking of him with them,” I admitted in a soft voice laced liberally with concern. “You moved out years ago, and with me not there anymore . . .”
“I’ve got my eyes on things, little sis. No need to work yourself up. You know as well as I do that man’s more than capable of taking care of himself.”
Jase had a point. Bennett might have been viewed as nothing more than the hired help by my folks and the circles they ran in, but that didn’t mean he put up with their shit. Truth be told, I honestly believed my father was a little scared of Bennett. He might have been a good twenty years older, but he was still a big man, and there was some serious power in his aging frame.
He’d never spoken a word when my dad would go into one of his indignant rages, mainly because he didn’t need to. He was so big and intimidating, all he had to do was stand there silently with his arms crossed over his wide chest while giving you this look. I’d never been on the receiving end of that look myself, but I’d witnessed him give it to my father enough times that I knew it could rattle even the sturdiest of men.
Jase admitted to me once that he’d gotten the look when Bennett caught him and a bunch of his friends getting drunk at a party when he was sixteen. He said it was so scary that he and his buddies nearly pissed their pants.
“I know,” I said, blowing out a frustrated breath. “I’m probably overreacting, just . . . promise you’ll look out for him, okay? You’ve seen firsthand how vindictive Mom and Dad can be when they don’t get what they want.”
A sound akin to a growl vibrated out of the speakers. “I still can’t believe they disinherited you.”
“I can,” I replied with a biting laugh. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. That move was totally in their wheelhouse. But it doesn’t matter. I still have the trust from Grandpa that they couldn’t touch, and that interest is more than enough to live on, even with the cost of the house and the renovations. Losing that money isn’t the end of the world. It’s not like I’d done anything to earn it anyway.”
“That’s bullshit,” he spat angrily. “You earned it simply by being born into and surviving this cesspool of a family. And after what you suffered through? I can’t believe they’d be so—”
“Jase, enough,” I clipped, stopping him before he could complete that thought. It was bad enough I now had the nightmares and anxiety that came with what had happened to me that night. I didn’t need my loved ones constantly bringing it up. It was something I’d lived through that would, unfortunately, always be a part of me. That didn’t mean I was okay talking about it all the time.
“Christ, I’m sorry, Farah. I didn’t mean . . .”
The agony was clear in his voice, and I found myself softening mine in an attempt to make him feel better. “It’s all right. But now it’s my turn to tell you there’s no use in getting worked up. It’s over and done with. I’ve moved on.” Or as on as I could move, seeing as the scars—both mentally and physically—still lingered.
There was silence for several seconds, and I knew my brother well enough to know he was trying to gage the sincerity in my voice. “You sure, honey?”
“Positive,” I answered truthfully. “Besides, I was already thinking about getting a job anyway.”
“If you want a job, not a doubt in my mind you’ll get one,” he said with sincerity, and I felt that burn through me. My brother. He’d always had complete faith in me and believed I could do anything I set my mind to, no matter what that anything was.
“I love you, bub,” I said, my voice scratchy with emotion.
“I know, sweet pea. I love you too. Down to my bones. And even though you’re living a thousand miles away now, I’m always here for you. Always. You got that?”