Marking a red X through my cancelled appointment I tapped the pen against the table. Well, that just cleared up an hour of my time. Now what did I-

The door flew open and suddenly Ethan Vanderwall was striding toward the couch. Crossing his legs he made sure the crease was straight on his pants before he fold steepled his hands and stared silently at me. Another man stood silently by his side.

“May I help you?”

“I’ve heard some interesting things about  your practice. Things that I need to know.”

“No can do. All these files are confidental.”

“I understand that. However, I-”

“No, I don’t think you understand. My patients expect a certain degree of-”

“Greg, would you care to explain what happens to people who defy me?”

The man barely shot a glance my way before shrugging. “I think she gets your drift.”

“Of course I do! However-”

“You saw my wife the other day. What exactly did she say?”

Pinching my forehead I shook my head. “Mr. Vanderwall, I’m sure if you’re wife wanted you to know she’d tell you. Now-”

“She blames me for our son running away. As if I had anything to do with that. The boy needs to grow a backbone. Maybe he’ll grow one more quickly if he’s out on his own.”

“‘The boy’ is ten years old. No child needs to be out on the streets by himself. Who knows what can happen?” I snapped.

Ethan shrugged his broad shoulders. “That was the choice he made. If-”

“Do you love your son or is he just a pawn for you to use in whatever twisted games you  have going on?”

He was half way across the room before Greg stepped in front of him and pushed him back. “No, she has nothing to do with this. I told you this was a bad idea. Let’s go.”

I watched as Ethan shoved Greg away before he straightening his suit. He glared at me. “Just for the record he is my son. Of course I care for him.”

Which isn’t the same thing as loving him.

Greg walked past me and keeping a wary eye on the door leaned closer. “Tell my brother to watch his back and keep an eye on Caine. Tell him not to do anything stupid. Are we clear?”

I nodded and he grinned, making his stern face almost boyish, before following after Ethan.

Ethan Vanderwall has no respect for anyone else but thinks that everyone should have respect for him. He has an inferiority complex he tries to hide behind a gruff exterior. I need to get in touch with Gregory Blade’s brother.