Geoffrey P. Ward's Guide to Villainy by M.A. Nichols

He’d longed to see his parents confront Lucas, but he ached for them. With Ruby’s arm woven through Conrad’s, the couple strolled through Greater Edgerton and towards the riverside.Ĭonrad’s heart was filled with a strange mixture of joy and pain. Without clouds, the air was brisk and biting, but that did not detract from the beauty of the day. The afternoon sun hung bright in the sky, making the world look deceptively warm. Nodding, Conrad gave the chairback a final squeeze and turned away from his brother as Lucas took the tickets in hand and tucked them into his breast pocket. He did not look at Lucas, but he felt the tightening of Lucas’s muscles before he retorted, “I do not need your pity, Conrad, and I do not need our heartless parents.” I have only ever wanted you to be the man I know you can be and not the selfish creature you are.” You have a family who loves you beyond all reason and the talent and ability to go far in the world, yet you squander it. “I don’t know if you truly believe that or if you have spouted that lie so many times it has become the truth as you see it, but I am not jealous of you.

Turning his gaze to his hands, Conrad gripped the rough wood, his limbs and chest filling with a weight-or perhaps gravity had decided to strengthen its hold-but he felt as though the last of his reserves had been tapped, leaving him struggling to keep himself upright. His brother’s posture was rigid, but otherwise, there was little emotion to read there. Standing beside his seat, Conrad rested his hands on the backrest and watched Lucas’s expression. It seems that you are to be successful at last.” “For as long as I can remember, you have resented my place as the eldest son and have worked to replace me. “You were always jealous of me.” With half-lidded eyes, Lucas watched his brother. Conrad rose to his feet but paused at Lucas’s words. With his message delivered, there was no more to say. Though he wanted to extract an oath that Lucas would never bother Ruby or their child again, there was no mistaking the undertone of what he wanted his brother to do to state it outright would present Lucas with a challenge he wouldn’t leave alone. “A gentleman with a little ready cash could do well there,” added Conrad.

Throughout the speech, Lucas’s brows rose and rose, those mental cogs churning through the possibilities.

Geoffrey P. Ward's Guide to Villainy by M.A. Nichols