It was a trap. The oldest and most insidious trap there is. Familial guilt.

I felt the phantom ache in my spine where the blast had thrown me. I thought of the blood on my hands in Helmand. I thought of the years I’d spent letting this man belittle me to keep this family intact.

I looked at Chloe. “No.”

The word dropped into the living room like a stone into a still pond.

Chloe blinked, uncomprehending. “What? What do you mean, no? We’re family.”

“I mean no, Chloe. I will not drain what I earned protecting this country to pay off your husband’s gambling debts.” I pointed at Greg. “You want to be the man of the house?