Disclaimer: If you recognize anything, it's not mine.
25
She's too beautiful.
He keeps his distance.
Peter's first thought had been, when he knew the truth – she's my niece. My niece. I can call her mine, and no one can say a damn thing about it – defiant in his shame.
But now he can't. Claire's a 'family friend', so that jerk can dance, and flirt, and leer at her, and Peter can't say Keep your hands off my niece.
He can't say anything. He has no claim on her.
Peter wonders what the hell Ma's game is. His hands are clenching into fists. He hopes she's arranged another attack.