Justice for All by Olivia Hardin Page B

this age.”
     
    Kay’s lids snapped open, and she rubbed the heels of her hands into her eye sockets to wipe away the memories she’d been dreaming. She could hear chattering down the hallway, and it irritated her to no end that the newcomer was with her family enjoying game night.
    After not getting home until early morning, Kay had slept until almost noon. Too much of a wimp to deal with the idea of Aunt Iggie’s son in her home, she’d texted Jeremy that she was going to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. When she returned and found her father, her sister-in-law Meg and the newcomer huddled together, engaged in some sort of clandestine conversation, she’d ducked into the small parlor and laid down for a nap.
    Suddenly the door opened and a couple burst inside, the woman slamming the door and leaning against the frame.
    “I want you . I love you ,” the man said.
    “This is crazy, Bren. You need to go home. Jim’s waiting for you, and someone’s going to miss you at some point. They can find you here. It isn’t like no one could ever track down your mother’s family and figure out where you are. They’ll find all of us here if that happens. You’ll be an accessory if—”
    “You aren’t listening. I don’t give a damn about being made an accessory. I can’t stand the thought of not being with you, of leaving you. It’s us, Hope. You and me and Michelle. I don’t care if we have to leave the country together. I’m with you.”
    Peeking up from her perch on the sofa, Kay watched the brunette woman’s chest rise and fall with a deep breath before she took several steps towards the man
    “You had better mean that because I don't think I could take waking up one morning to find you've gone back home. If we do this, it will be forever, Brennan Rawley.”
    Just as the woman reached up and kissed the man, Kay grabbed the back of the couch and used it to swing her body around. “So you are the lost Rawley.” She proclaimed, startling them both as she dropped both feet onto the ground with a thud.
    “I'm your cousin, Kay. Funny though, Jeremy said her name was Sealla.”
    Sealla/Hope went deathly pale, grabbing at her neck as if choking.
    “Kay,” she murmured. “It is so good to finally meet you.”
    Eyes narrowed, Kay advanced on the couple. “And the baby’s name was Nichole, as I recall,” she added.
    “Kay—” Bren began.
    “What game are you two playing? You're after our inheritance! You're frauds!”
    “He really is your cousin. Trust us.”
    She scoffed, “Trust you! You think I would trust you?”
    “She's definitely your cousin, Bren. You think just alike.” Sealla/Hope said, voice heavy with sarcasm.
    Brennan didn't apparently think that was funny because he gave Hope a withering look and then reached out towards Kay’s arm. Reacting in alarm, Kay snatched herself from his grasp and backed away.
    At that moment, the door to the parlor opened as Daddy and Jeremy entered.
    “My girl, Kay, you're finally home to meet your cousin!” the old man exclaimed, hobbling to her with his cane.
    “Cousin?” she jeered. “He's a fraud! Her name is Hope. They've been lying to all of you. How could you have accepted his claim at face value?”
    “Are you blind, Kay? Can't you see that he's your cousin? We all look just alike.”
    “Didn't you hear what I said? I heard them talking. He just proposed to her. He called the baby Michelle. He called her Hope. She was talking about making him an accessory to some crime. They’re not who they said they are!”
    “I knew it!” Jeremy joined in. “I knew they weren't—”
    Kay momentarily felt a rush of vindication as she saw her brother hurry to take her side. But that was squelched quickly when her father rammed his cane onto the floor to get their attention.
    “Be quiet, both of you! I know very well their real names, and there is more to this story than I thought either of you should know. If you will sit down, I will explain