Page 49 of Karma

“Like I said, or what?” The pigheaded man glared at Dare, not bothering to look at his sister.

At the station, when Dare was on duty, it was his job to deal with the trouble Brian McKnight caused and do it in a professional way. Nothing he was feeling now was remotely professional.

And Dare wasn’t on duty.

Still, he braced his hand on Liza’s back in an attempt to reassure her. “Or you’ll be looking at more trouble than you can handle,” he promised Brian.

The other man raised his hand as if ready to fight.

Dare shook his head at his stupidity. “It’s one thing to hit a defenseless woman, McKnight. It’s another to come after me.”

Brian’s eyes opened wide, and regret flashed across his face. “Liza knows it was an accident.”

Dare raised an eyebrow.

Liza said nothing.

“Liza Lou, I just need to borrow some money,” he said in a little-boy voice. “Then I’ll go.”

Dare frowned, disgusted at the man’s gall.

“You just got paid on Friday,” Liza said, sounding stunned.

“I can’t explain it now.” He shot another glare at Dare. “But I need your help.”

Dare knew he was getting a firsthand look at the brother-sister dynamic, and he didn’t know how Liza handled the man.

Brian took a step toward his sister.

Dare blocked his way.

“Please, Liza?” Brian all but whined.

“Fine,” Liza said, stunning Dare as she turned and hurried back inside.

She returned a second later, giving him no time alone with her brother.

She had her wallet in hand, and Dare’s eyes opened wide.

“Liza, come on. You know this isn’t a solution.”

She didn’t meet his gaze but instead fumbled with the wallet and pulled out all the bills inside. “Here,” she said, thrusting out her hand. “Take it. It’s all I’ve got on me. Now will you go?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Disappointment rippled through Dare at the exchange.

“I need to talk to you later, though,” Brian said.

Not a thank-you came from his mouth.

Liza remained silent.

Brian shot a smug and triumphant grin at Dare before heading for his car—a BMW 7 Series no less—and drove away.

Dare blew out a breath, unsure of what to think or say. He wanted to comfort Liza, but she’d just done the unthinkable, and inside he was torn.

Dare hated her brother with a passion born of years of regret, self-blame, and disgust. Brian’s behavior in the time since they were kids hadn’t allowed for Dare’s attitude to soften. Not even now.

Not even for Liza.