The anger dissipated a little and she noticed that a sad look replaced the anger in his eyes as he cast them over her shocked pale face. “They have special places for people like her you know.” He told her quietly.
“How do you know that it was Faye?” she asked him.
“It was Faye.” He told her, his voice lower, calmer now as he studied her.
“It could have been someone else.” But Cassie knew that it wasn’t. Not unless Luke made a habit of crossing swords with mad demented women, and she had a feeling that he did not.
“Ah…” he said. he made it sound like he had just had a revelation and instantly Cassie felt her defences come up.
“Ah… what?”
“Ah… nothing.”
“Ah… something.”
“You are going to defend her again, aren’t you?”
“This might not have been her.” She tried and Luke gave a little harsh laugh before he shook his head. His lips thinned and he took a step closer to her. He seemed to waver for a minute before he took the step back.
“She was seen.” Luke punctuated his words through clenched teeth.
“I can’t go on someone’s word. I will need proof.” Cassie jutted out her chin and lifted her head with bravery that she did not feel.
Faye really did not deserve to be defended, Cassie knew that. But, for better or for worse, she was her sister and Cassie still felt the need.
Luke reached into the inside pocket of his grey suit jacket and slowly pulled out a disc. He waved it in the air triumphantly, holding it firmly with lean tanned fingers.
Chapter 4.
He wore no rings, she noticed, not for the first time. She tore her eyes away. What was wrong with her?
This wasn’t the time to start swooning over someone. Especially if that someone was Dr Luke Pearson. After all, he hated her and her sister. Cassie could not blame him for that. Given everything Faye had thrown at him, in some instances, quite literally.
“She was filmed, with her two friends, dumb and dumber on cctv.” Luke lifted a sardonic eyebrow and she opened her mouth but he cut her off. “And yes I am sure that it is her. That hair colour of hers is very eye catching.”
Yes, it was. Very pink, very blue, very bright, very bold. Damn it. Not that she thought that it could possibly be anyone else. Only Faye could do something like this and not see it as wrong.
“I’m sorry.” She began, already thinking about damage control.
“You’re sorry.” Luke said incredously.
“Yes.”
“You are not the one that should be sorry. Stop taking the blame for her. She should be the one to be sorry.”
“And she is.” Cassie assured him, though she had a feeling that was not true.
“Is that because when you go back into the house she will cry and tell you she’s sorry and she’ll beg you to forgive her and like an idiot you will.” Luke threw at her and she stiffened.
“I…” But she stopped, he obviously did understand the dynamics of their relationship. That unnerved her, he had evidently studied them closely when they had been together, in the courtroom. Of course he had, he was a doctor. He had probably studied everything in microscopic detail.
“Would you like to watch it?” She was asked. Cassie shook her head mutely. She did not need to, not really.
Luke would not have come here had he not had one hundred percent proof. She had learnt that much about him. “Are you sure?” Luke asked her with a contemptuous smile on his face. “It is fascinating to watch. Well worth sitting through it. I must warn you that it does go on a bit.
Forty-two minutes and twelve seconds to be exact. But the ending makes it all worth it.”
Cassie felt her face grow even hotter, if that were possible, she must look like a lobster by now. Never a good look on anyone, she decided.
That light headed feeling was back again too, the one that invaded her brain and made her feel suddenly unwell.
“Please…” She took a breath as she tried to assemble her thoughts. There was nothing for it. She was going to have to pay for the damages and, looking at the car it was going to be substantial. “Why don’t you get it repaired and send me the bill.” She told him as she took a breath. “I will take care of it. I give you my word.”
She did not like the look in his eyes and turned to go. If only. How many times had she had that thought over the last couple of months?
She finally had met someone that made her heart flutter and her sister had mucked it up even before Cassie had even met him.
She was going to have a serious word with Faye. Not that that would make a difference, it hadn’t up till now. Faye would continue to be Faye.
“Have you ever thought of having your sister committed under the mental health act?” Luke threw at her departing back. “I know a really good doctor she could see.” Cassie stopped and turned to face him.
“She got angry, that’s…” She began but she knew it was for nothing. Cassie knew Faye was wrong and so did Luke. In fact, most people would have had her arrested by now but Luke had held off.
Of course Cassie was grateful for that but she wandered why he had not. He would have been within his rights to do so. Even more so after seeing what she had done to his car this morning. That had to come under criminal damage surely?
“That seems to happen a lot.” She was cut short. “It’s not normal. You know that.”
“Look, I know she can be…” What? A little naughty? A trifle difficult? A tad challenging?
“She needs help.” Luke tried again, but all Cassie could hear was him picking on her sister. Warranted, it may be but, it wasn’t very nice.
“She got angry.” She tried again.
“Yes, you said. Maybe anger management will help. I know someone in that field too.” Of course he did. He smiled at her then, and it even looked sincere.
In different circumstances, she thought again and then pushed it away. Faye had made different circumstances impossible.
“Look, I said I will sort it.” She told him firmly.
“You need to get her help.” Luke told her again. “Keep burying your head in the sand does her no favours. You are enabling her.”
“Excuse me.” She felt her anger stir.
“Her behaviour is your fault.” Luke accused her.
“My fault?”
“Yes, your fault. You allow her to get away with it. She doesn’t have to face the consequences because she has her patsy to do that for her.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes it is. If it wasn’t, she would be standing where you are right now. It should be her standing here taking the rap and not you.” Luke’s eyes challenged her to deny what he was saying. Of course, she could not. He was right.
“Look I said I was sorry. I said I would pay for it.” She told him.
“How about you start acting like her sister instead of like her fall guy.” Luke told her.
“How dare you.”
“Yes I do, I dare. And, I am going to continue to dare. It should be her down here facing me. Instead she’s hiding out in there.” He pointed back at the house. “Whilst you are taking a verbal beating from me. And let me tell you, I hate being put in that position. This isn’t your fault it’s hers. It is her I want to be shouting at not you.”
“She might not even be here.” She bristled.
“She’s in.” Luke told her firmly, knowingly.
“I will talk to her. There really is no need to continue with arguing over this. I will sort it.”
“So that’s it? She causes mayhem and big sis mops up the mess. Are there any repercussions for her or do you take care of everything for her?” Luke laughed derisively. “What a good little sister you are?” he condemned and she bit down on her lip to stop herself from saying something that she might end up regretting. There was room for only one badly behaved sister and Faye already had taken that job.
“I…” What could she say. Luke was right after all.<
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“It is a good thing that we abolished capital punishment in England, isn’t it? You would be happily led to the gallows for her, wouldn’t you?” Cassie straightened her back, still Luke towered over her. She was only five two, or there about.
“Look, I am sorry.” She tried again. “It really is unnecessary to be trading insults. I will sort it.” She said, careful to keep her voice calm.
“These last few months dealing with your sister, I have noticed what a right mother hen you are. You do everything for her. Has it never crossed your mind that it is not helping her.” Luke said.
“Please.” She tried again.
“You spend most of your time assuring her that it’s okay. It is not okay Cassie. She treats you like dirt, you get that don’t you. She hides behind you and you let her.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Cassie instantly defended.
“I took her to court to teach her a lesson and you came along and made it feel like I took you to court. I hate that you put me in that position Cassie. You need to stop doing that.”
“I don’t need –”
“Yes you do.” Luke barked and she jumped at the sudden explosiveness of it. Her heart beat furiously in her chest. “You do need Cassie.” He said in a quieter tone. He stepped closer to her. “There is nothing wrong with needing.”
Cassie felt the heat in her cheeks and her blood soared in her ears. The atmosphere around them seemed to change and Cassie had the feeling that he was no longer talking about Faye. “And by the time that this is over I am going to make damn sure that you understand that.” He promised her.
“Please.” She whimpered and stopped.
“Please what Cassie?” Luke’s voice dropped, becoming sultry and Cassie shivered. She crossed her arms protectively across her chest.
“I will talk to her.” she tried again.
“And what do you think that will do?” Luke asked her taking another step closer to her so that she could feel the heat of his body and smell that delicious aroma of his aftershave and his skin.
“I…” she looked up at him, trapped in his gaze. She felt his fingers brush her upper arm. Her skin reacting to the touch instantly, her body humming instantly from the contact. It wasn’t fair, she decided again.
“By the time this is over I am going to make damn sure that she doesn’t walk all over you anymore. You got that Cassie. It ends.” He made it sound like a threat and Cassie felt that familiar shiver run through her.
“Just let me deal with her.” She tried again.
“You had your chance, too late. It’s my turn.” Luke promised her. This didn’t sound good at all. What was he planning? This couldn’t be good for Faye.
“I am not going to argue with you. We are done.” She turned to go.
“She is not worth it you know. Perhaps I should just press criminal charges instead. She needs to learn.” He baited her.
“No.” Cassie turned back to him then. “Please. I will talk to her. I will stop her from coming near you. I promise.” She begged him fearfully.
“And how are you going to do that. Follow her around twenty-four seven. Put her on tag.” Luke scoffed scornfully. “You cannot police her and you know it.”
“I will talk to her. You have my word I will make her stop.” The trouble was Cassie had no way of making good on that promise and Luke had learnt that depressing fact. He had seen it first-hand these past couple of months.
“Your methods are not working. I am sorry but she needs a kick up the backside. You are either incapable of doing it or you don’t want to be capable of doing it.” Luke turned and strode from her and Cassie followed him.
“Please, let’s just come to an amicable arrangement.” Cassie tried again, desperate to stop Luke doing something terrible to her sister. As bad as Faye was, she was still her sister.
“Amicable and your mentally unstable sister don’t seem to fit well together.” Luke told her sternly not breaking his stride.
In desperation Cassie reached out to stop him and she grabbed at the hem of his jacket and pulled, putting her body weight into stopping him. There was a sickening tearing sound. Luke stopped abruptly and Cassie slowly looked down.
Horrified she looked at the rip at the seam of his suit jacket. It went halfway up the back seem of his expensive suit jacket. Cassie felt sick, she let go of the material as if it had burned her and she took several steps back.
“O…” Cassie said and swallowed hard.
“What is it with your family. Would you like to come over to my house and wreck it?” Cassie cast shocked wide eyes up into Luke’s warm blue eyes. Even when they sparked with anger he still had very nice eyes she noticed. She cursed Faye again.
“That was an accident.” Cassie defended herself. “I did not intend to rip your jacket. I could sew it for you.” Cassie suggested.
“No thanks. Why don’t I send you the bill for the car and I will let you have this one for free, seeing as its your first offence.” Luke stared down at her for a long time. “I’m not a monster.” He defended himself and sighed as he brought up a hand and for a split second Cassie thought that he was going to run his fingers through her hair.
She shivered slightly in anticipation and Luke dropped his hand. “Let’s hope we can stay out of each other’s way.” He told her wearily. He suddenly looked very tired and drained.
Cassie nodded silently. She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again. What could she possibly say? Were there enough words to make this okay? “I meant Faye.” He said.
“I will talk to her.” She said again. Luke turned and strode toward his car, as he did so he slung over his shoulder.
“This isn’t over between us though. I will be back.” He promised. she watched Luke slide into his car and drive off.
The anger etched on his face had said it all and something in Cassie died at that moment.
She mulled over his last comments and wondered what he had planned. She knew that he had tried to convince her that her sister needed professional help, had even offered to help her get it. Cassie had refused, Faye wouldn’t like it.
Cassie sighed as she turned to go back into the house. It wasn’t fair, she had met the most wonderful man, a man that ticked all the right boxes for her, and Faye had messed it all up.
There would never be a chance that much was clear. Cassie turned to walk back to the house feeling empty and hollow inside.
Damn Faye and her inappropriate behaviour…
Chapter 5.
Cassie rubbed at her sore head as the court adjourned on the last day. The verdict, well Luke won, but then Cassie knew that he would. She agreed to pay whatever damages set and it was substantial.
Cassie and Faye walked silently from the room. She could feel Faye seething beside her and as soon as they were out in the hallway she pounced on Cassie.
“Why didn’t you fight it.” She demanded angrily.
“Because you were at fault.” She informed her promptly.
“None of this was my fault. It was all his.” Faye spat at her.
“You are wrong. You behaved badly and now I am going to have to pay for it.” She told her sister.
“Taking me to court. Suing me. It’s not like he needs the money.” She scorned. No it wasn’t Cassie acknowledged. Those suits did not come cheap. He certainly didn’t afford them on a doctor’s salary.
Although Cassie didn’t really know how much a doctor’s salary was. “It’s not as though he is short of money. He doesn’t need to steal it from us. Then again maybe that’s how he made his money.”
“Faye that’s enough.” Cassie sighed wearily as they got to the stop of the staircase that led down to the main foyer and to the doors that would lead onto the street.
“He’s a swindler.” Faye said nodding her head. “That’s it, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before. He’s probably not even a real doctor.”
“Faye, that is enough.” Cassie tried again.
�
��No Cass. You should have stood up for me in there. you are my sister after all.” Faye threw the accusation at her. Cassie turned to her sister, turning her back to the stairs.
“I try to stand up for you Faye. You don’t make it easy though. Just stop doing it. Leave the man alone now. It’s done.”
“No.” Faye shouted in her face. “This is not over, not by a long shot. You…” she pointed an accusing shaking finger at her. “This is your fault. You spoke with the man privately, sending me to the car, more than once this past two weeks. Did you conspire with him sis? Is that it.”
“No Faye, that’s not it.”
“Why did you need to speak to him in private anyway. What did he say to you? What did you say to him?” Faye threw questions at her and Cassie sighed.
“We spoke without you there because you can’t have a normal conversation without screaming and shouting like some banshee.” She told her sister. Snapping at her angrily.
“The two of you are planning something. Something against me.” She shouted at her.
“You know that I wouldn’t do that to you.” She defended herself.
“Do I?” She scorned. “You are a back stabber that’s what you are. In cahoots with that, that con artist.”
“Faye, please. Can we just get to the car and go home?” Cassie begged.
“I hate you. Do you hear me. Perhaps you should get a room with him.”
“Faye.” Cassie gasped.
“I’ve seen the way you look at him. Turn you on does he?” Faye scorned her viciously.
“Faye, that’s enough.” Cassie tried to placate her.
“Or perhaps you have already slept with him. You slut. I wish you would die.” Faye screamed at her and then gave her a shove as she stormed past her and down the stairs. “I’m going to the car.” She flung at her.
Cassie put her foot back, trying to correct her balance from the shove that Faye had given her. But her foot was met by no floor and she felt her body fall backwards.
She cried out in alarm as she realised that she was about to fall down the stairs. Her arms flailed about trying to grab a hold of something.
And then something grabbed her wrist and she was yanked hard and before she could even draw breath she found her face planted in someone’s chest and a strong arm around her waist hold her tight up against the said chest and, she then noted, other parts that were attached to that chest.
The things we do for love. Page 3