“She did something to her! I know it. This was your end game all along, wasn’t it, you little bitch?” He stormed towards her; his face almost purple. She huddled back in her chair, terrified he was going to hurt her. “You took advantage of an old woman! You stole this from me!”
“No, no, I d-didn’t,” she stammered.
“Mr. McKenzie, sit down,” the lawyer demanded.
“I’m taking this to my lawyer. I’ll be challenging this!” James stabbed his finger in her face. “This little whore won’t be getting my inherita
nce.” He reached out and grabbed her arm, lifting her from the chair. She cried out at the pain. She shook, absolutely out of her mind with fear. When she looked at the huge man looming over her, all she saw was another man, his face red in anger, the alcoholic fumes of his breath making her feel ill.
She raised her free hand up to her face, trying to protect herself.
“Let her go!” Macca roared, knocking his father’s arm away. She stumbled back, missing the chair and falling onto her bottom on the floor. She shuffled backwards, wanting to get away but unable to get her legs under her.
“I cannot believe you are still defending her,” James screamed at his son. Spittle shot out from his mouth. “That little whore stole our inheritance!”
“Stop calling her that!”
“Why not? It’s the truth! Where do you think your grandmother found her? She was in the hospital; she’d been beaten by her pimp. Your grandmother took pity on the slut and brought her home. Worst mistake I ever made was not getting rid of you,” he spat at her.
“What?” Macca turned to her. Everly came to her side and helped her stand and she felt a little hurt that Macca wasn’t the one offering his support. That he wasn’t standing by her side. He frowned as he stared at her. “I thought you met Nan at your doctor’s?”
James snorted. “Not likely. Your grandmother met her volunteering at the hospital. Apparently, she’d been beaten up by her pimp for refusing to do her job and fuck some poor sucker.”
“That-that’s not true. It’s not.” She stared at Macca, begging him to believe her.
“So, you didn’t meet Nan at the hospital like he said?”
“Um, well, no. . .” she stumbled over her words.
“So, you lied to me?” he asked in a low voice.
“No, not really. You see—”
“Weren’t you a stripper before you were a whore?” James sneered at her.
She licked her dry lips. “Well, yes, but you see—” She stared around at everyone. Only the lawyer’s face remained neutral. In fact, she might have caught a glimpse of sympathy. Maybe.
Run, Gigi. Run.
Her heart raced, sweat was beading on her forehead. She couldn’t think, could barely breathe. All she knew was that she needed to get out of here. Now.
So, she ran.
21
Macca stared in shock as Gigi turned on her heel and raced out of the room. He spun, ready to take off after her. A hard hand grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“You need to stay here, son. We need to talk about this. We cannot let some opportunistic whore steal our inheritance. She took advantage of your grandmother.”
He shook off the asshole’s hand. “Gigi would never take advantage of anyone, let alone Nan. You think everyone is as corrupt as you. If Nan gave her the house, she had a good reason.”
“Actually, I might be able to help with that,” Greg Georgeson said. He drew out an envelope. “She left a letter for you, Alexander.”
“Call me Macca,” he said grimly as he reached over and grabbed the envelope.
“I won’t let this stand,” his father snarled. “I’ll contest this will. She has no money for a lawyer, there’s no way she can fight me.”
“But I can,” Macca said. “And for Gigi, I will do anything.”