Chapter 10: Defying All Decency

Mia Looske snapped. "Two hundred grand? Why don't you go rob a bank? Get out!" "Who knows how much you've already skimmed off Mom," Thatcher Looske shot back. "Is two hundred grand too much? I'm taking this twenty grand first. Remember, you still owe me a hundred and eighty." He reached for the canvas bag stuffed with cash. "Shameless! Put it down-that's Mia's money!" Rhea Looske lunged to grab it. The two of them grappled, hands clawing, shoulders slamming. "Get out of my way! It's mine!" Thatcher barked. Money made his eyes gleam; once he had a hand on it, he had no intention of letting go. Irritation flared, and he swung hard. His palm cracked across Rhea's face. Even the mild-tempered Mia burned hot at that. She lifted her hand and slapped him right back. "You dare hit me?" Thatcher roared, murder flashing in his eyes. He had always been a shameless bully; he didn't care if they were his big sister or second sister. He cocked his arm and went for Mia with another full-force slap-a blow that would have landed hard. He never expected a boot to drive deep into his gut the instant his hand came up. The kick sent him flying nearly ten feet. He crashed down on his rear with a grunt. Shane Yale had moved. He had never liked this uncle since he was a kid, but he hadn't thought the man would be this rotten. "You little bastard, you dare hit me!" Thatcher scrambled up, face flushed with rage and humiliation. He charged, arms windmilling. He didn't even touch Shane's shadow before a ringing slap spun him and dumped him on the floor again. "This one's for my grandma!" Another slap cracked across his cheek. "This one's for my mom!" And another. "This one's for my Aunt Rhea!" Shane's fury finally found a vent; every strike landed clean. Flesh thudded under his palm and knuckles. Blood streamed from Thatcher's nose and smeared his mouth. At first Thatcher tried to struggle, then realized he was completely outmatched. He howled, "You little bastard, you dare hit me-this is defying all decency!" "Defying all decency?" Shane's smile turned cold. "You covet the family's money but won't honor your own mother-that's being unfilial. You raise your hand against your two sisters-that's having no respect for your elders. Your sister raised you, got you through college, even paid for your wedding, and you repay her like this-that's having no conscience. With a heart as black as yours, you have the nerve to talk to me about decency?" He counted off the sins with his tongue while his hands didn't stop. Slap after slap landed without mercy. Bleeding from his nose and mouth, Thatcher could hardly take it anymore. He played his last card. "Stop, stop! Whatever you say, I'm still your uncle!" "Uncle?" Shane snorted. "The moment you laid a hand on my mom, you stopped being one." "All right, Xiaofeng, that's enough." Mia stepped in and grabbed her son's arm. She wasn't worried about this heartless brother. She was worried her son would really hurt him and wind up at the police station. "Get lost. Disrespect my mom again, and I'll beat you every time I see you," Shane said, punctuating the warning with a kick that sent Thatcher sprawling. He turned to Rhea. "Auntie, I bought a place at Ceraville Residence. Come see our new home, and come by often to keep my mom company." He divided grudges and gratitude clearly. He invited Rhea over, and the three of them left together. Watching their backs recede, Thatcher ground his teeth so hard his jaw ached. He'd heard every word. Big Sis's family had moved into the luxury Ceraville Residence. Why did they get to live it up? Why wasn't he the one with money? No way. He wasn't letting this go. He'd find his son. He wasn't going to take this beating for nothing-he'd carve out a piece of Big Sis's money one way or another. He hauled himself off the ground, climbed into the Passat, and sped away.