Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
But her shoulders slump, and it’s like she’s sucking into herself before my eyes. Normally, she’s strong and outgoing, but what the fuck is this?
“Yeah, that’s what you always say.” He finishes off the beer and tosses the can in the sink. “Never happens, though. Good to see you, Alexan. Good luck with that one.” He gives Riley one more shake of his head before he walks off.
When he’s gone, I turn to her, but she just grabs my hand and pulls me away. I follow, not sure what the fuck that was, but she holds on tight enough that I can’t get away without yanking hard. It’s not until we’re in the car again that she finally turns to me.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Your dad treats you like shit.”
“I said it doesn’t matter.”
“Riley—”
“Stop, okay? I know it’s pathetic. I know I turn into this little weakling whenever he’s around, alright? It doesn’t feel good, but I can’t help it. He just makes me feel so fucking small.”
I reach out and put a hand on her knee. She wipes her face, and all I want to do is go back in that house so I can break her father’s fucking face into tiny little pieces.
Nobody makes my wife feel small. Not even her own fucking father.
Especially not her father.
“I’ll kill him for you,” I offer gently.
She smiles like I’m kidding. “Thanks, but that’d only make me feel guilty.”
“Then stand up to him. Don’t take that shit.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Try anyway. I’m here for you, baby. I’m on your side. Don’t let that man push you around.”
She leans back and stares at the roof of the car. “I know you’re right, okay? All my life I keep telling myself that I won’t take his crap anymore. But it never happens. If anyone else talked to me the way my father talks to me, I’d kick them in the freaking throat. But with him, it’s like I just take it and take it and keep letting him break me down. I hate myself for it. But I can’t change.”
“You can,” I whisper, reaching over to stroke her cheek with my thumb. I cross the distance between us and kiss her. “You’re strong. You can do so much more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let anyone talk to you like that.”
“I’ll try.” She smiles a little. “But I’ll probably just take my anger out on you.”
“Be my guest. It might be fun.”
She laughs and wipes her eyes. “Come on. Let’s head over to The Hen and see if we can find Brenden.”
I start driving, but inwardly, I’m seething with rage and passion. I hate seeing Riley like that. I fucking hate her father for how shitty he is to her too. And maybe she doesn’t want me to say anything to him—
But the next time I see that, I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut.
Much less my hands to myself.
Chapter 32
Riley
I’m feeling pretty miserable when we park near The Hen and The Snare. It’s bad enough letting my dad walk all over me, but letting it happen in front of Alexan is humiliating.
I want to be a stronger person now that I’m out of my father’s house. And I think I am, at least a little bit every day. Going back there makes me regress to that pathetic loser I used to be, and it makes me sick remembering the way my father’s always been such a fucking bully.
It’s not easy to shrug off that shitty interaction as I head into The Hen. Alexan follows close behind like a protective bloodhound. The place is loud and surprisingly crowded for the early evening, with most of the tables packed by youngish people and a lot of men and women in business casual clothes. I’m guessing they’re the post-work rush.
“I don’t see him,” I mumble as we search the people at the bar. “I really thought he’d be here.” I check the back hall, and Alexan even pokes his head into the men’s room. I’m about to totally give up when I come back out into the main room and spot my cousin Ricky sitting in the far corner.
He glances up when I approach. His face is tense and his eyes are sunken, and right away I can tell something’s wrong. He’s a good friend of my brother’s and a few years older than us both. I grew up with Ricky, and it’s pretty obvious that he’s surprised to see me, and not in a good way.
“Riles, what’s up?” he says, glancing uneasily at Alexan. My husband looms behind me, big and scary in his sleek Armani suit.
“I’m looking for Brenden. Have you seen him?”
Ricky clears his throat. “I mean, I guess a little bit.”
My eyebrows raise. “What’s that mean?”
“It’s complicated, you know?” Ricky squirms and downs his beer. “I don’t think he’d want you getting involved.”