Chapter 8 Raphael 1 want the address for Gabes house , ASAP , I barked into the phone as I slammed the door to the rental car .
I was still sitting in the driveway of Gabriels real estate office , staring at the large sign that showed my brother , with his million dollar smile , his arm around some pretty blond woman If that woman was his business partner , they looked a little too cozy I couldnt help but wonder why Bethany wasnt on the sign .
Had some asshole decided the blond bombshell was more appealing for advertising ? How did Bethany feel , seeing that image plastered on the properties for sale all over town ? I didnt want to care if it hurt her feelings .
It was none of my business .
The secretary in the office had informed me that Gabe had already gone home for the day .
To her credit as a competent employee , she refused to give me his home address .
But no matter , Rachel had texted me the address by the time I had my seat belt buckled and the car in gear .
It was a forty minute drive out to Lake Bonnie , and the upscale community where Gabriel lived .
It gave me time to think and reflect on what I had seen that morning .
And to kick myself for being such a hothead .
Firstly , I had barely said two words to my mother .
I had walked in the house , seen her condition , and lost my mind .
All the things I had wanted to tell her for the last seven years had flown the coop in the face of my rage and confusion .
I could run a nine figure hotel and hospitality empire , but I couldnt take care of my own mother .
I was furious at my brother , but even more so ,! blamed myself .
I did this .
I had stuck my head in the sand for seven years , and turned a blind eye to anything that had to do with home .
And then I had unloaded that fury on Beth .
I couldnt wipe her stricken expression from my mind .
Of course , she would be upset .
She and Mom had always been close .
Neither one of them would take kindly to my attempt at throwing Beth out of the house .
Mom used to say that Beth was the daughter shed always wished for .
I shook my head and turned off the highway , taking the exit for the lakeside district .
Lake Bonnie was a long , banana shaped lake lined with holiday homes and beach houses .
Gabes home was part of a newer development of steel and glass homes that perched over the water , with a boathouse and private dock underneath .

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The houses were an eyesore , I thought Completely incongruent with the natural beauty of the lake and the older homes that surrounded it .
The steep lots offered no grass , no play areas for children .
In fact , it looked like a safety hazard , with nothing stopping a child from falling and rolling right into the water .
I hoped Beths kid could swim .
No wonder Beth had brought the kid to play at my mothers .
Twin BMWs were parked in front , one blue , one cherry red .
I hadnt seen either of those vehicles at Moms house , but maybe Beth had pulled hers into the garage .
There was no room for a third vehicle , so I simply pulled off the road on the small shoulder between Gabes house and the next neighbor .
I walked up the sidewalk and stopped in front of the door .
They had a doorbell with a camera , so he probably already knew I was coming .
Hell , Beth must have sped home to warn him as soon as I had left the driveway I waited impatiently , tapping my foot , until the door was pulled open .
I expected Gabe , or perhaps a wary and guarded Beth .
Instead , it was a blond woman who held open the door with a clueless smile on her plastic face .
Hello , can I help you ?? It was the woman from the sign .
The one that Gabe had a cozy arm around .
It was on the tip of my tongue to blurt out , Who the hell are you ? But I reined in my temper Hi .
Im looking for Gabe Segretto ? Oh sure , wait one moment .
She closed the door slightly and bellowed back into the house .
Honey ? Someone is here to see you ! Honey ? What the hell ..
? A moment later the door was pulled open again , this time by my younger brother .
He was wearing a yuppy sweater which was a little snug around his midsection .
His slick salesman smile froze on his face when his eyes landed on mine .
Well , well , he said coldly .
The prodigal son returns .
Given that the Biblical prodigal son returned home desperate , penniless and ashamed , I didnt think his assessment quite fit .
Hello Gabriel , I sald stiffy .
I think we need to talk , He opened the door fully and stepped aside so th so that I could enter his house .
I take it youve seen Mom .
Chapter 8 Yes , I said , deliberately keeping my answers short and clipped .
He led me to a living room , one wall of which was a all glass , overlooking the lake .
There was ice along the shoreline , but the water in the center was still open .
It all looked cold and gray and frigid , exactly how I felt .
Nice viewi admitted grudgingly Thanks , we like it .
He dropped into an easy chair .
Can I get you something ? Beer , wine ? I shook my head , which was still throbbing from the last bottle of whiskey Id downed .
No , thanks .
He shrugged indifferently .
Ashley , darling , would you grab me a cold one ? Ashley ? I asked when the blond had sashayed out of the room , who the hell is she ? Gabe laughed as though my ignorance delighted him .
My wife , of course .
What about Bethany ? I blurted .
He gave me a smug look .
1 divorced her .
You might know that if you ever came around .
y visit .
I He divorced her ? How could he ? Why would he ? My mind practically exploded with questions .
But I had to remember the purpose of my wasnt here to poke into his relationship with Bethany .
What about mom ? The blond woman came back into the room carrying a stein of beer .
When she bent to hand it to Gabe , she purposely stuck her ass out in my direction , and her short skirt rode up to just below her ass cheeks .
phy wife was Charming .
I muttered as she gave me a flirtatious look under her lowered eyelashes .
Did Gabe realize his trophy What about Mom ? Gabe asked carelessly , taking a gulp of the beer .
was coming on to me ? What happened ? I growled , When did it happen ? Why wasnt I informed ? What medical care did she receive ? Well , she had a stroke last year .
I think it was October or November .
Beth found her in the bathroom and called an ambulance .
By the time they got her into surgery , the damage was already done .
He took another long drink .
And I told my secretary to email you or something .
I guess the message never got through You guess ! I bit out angrily .
I had to suck in a breath .
It wouldnt do any good to start an argument about his lack of communication now .
Id deal with it later .
So you say Beth found her .
Where was the personal care attendant ? Gabe laughed , but the sound was empty and hollow .
Beth is the personal care attendant , he said , and then tipped back the rest of the glass .
So if you have issues about Moms care , take it up with her