Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“What’s that?”
“Trying to play me against him. You want to divide us. You think that’s your only chance.”
I raise my cup. “How’s it working?”
She studies me, cold and calculating. A clever, strong woman, trapped in a family that doesn’t value her even half as much as it should.
The hell we could’ve raised together.
“I’ll be in touch.” She stands, slipping her phone away and clutching the folder under her arm.
“That’s all? After I give you that golden nugget?”
“That’s more than you deserve.” She pauses and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Send your wife my best. I wish her nothing but health and good fortune.”
“You’re a better person than I am.”
“I know.”
Sinead leaves. I watch her go for a while alone at the counter. Still nobody takes the stool as if I’ve become toxic.
I’ve struck back against the Gallaghers. Blood for blood. Flames for flames. But like Sinead said, in the end, we’ll burn each other out and there won’t be anything left for the winner. Without Whelan backing, I’m fighting to a standstill at best.
Unless I can find another way out.
I leave after a while and find Deck waiting with my Mercedes. He seems eager as I approach. “How’d the meeting go? Make her understand how things are now?”
“I think she got the message.”
“Good.” He shows all his teeth. “We’re gonna make them bleed if they don’t back off.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Best few weeks of my life.”
I grip his shoulder tighter than I need. “I’m glad you have my back.”
Deck’s massive smile fades. “It’s what family does.”
I hold his stare for a moment before climbing into the back of my car. The driver pulls away, leaving Deck on the sidewalk, watching us go.
28
ANGIE/CONNOR
Angie
Mom’s leg dangles over the side of the couch. She’s in sweats, a sweatshirt, and a nature documentary’s on TV. For the first time in a while, there’s no burning joint, no vape, no weed-stink. A big pile of gummies is perched on the coffee table.
“Since when did you get into edibles?” I tidy up, unable to help myself. There’s house staff to take care of this but Mom’s always been my responsibility. I can’t change that now.
“Oh, I don’t mind them. Whatever gets the magic in me is good in my book.”
“One time you said you’d rather chew leather than eat weed.”
“People change.”
I pause, folding a pair of sweats. “Seriously, why the change of heart?”
Mom groans and sits up on an elbow. “You want the truth? He told me not to say anything, but forget it. There’s no stopping you when you start asking questions.”
“Connor has something to do with this?”
“Your husband is a real—“ She hesitates at the look I give her. “He’s protective. Last night, he came storming in here, plucked my smoke from between my lips, put it out in my soda can, and told me, in very rude terms, that I will no longer be allowed to smoke in this house, especially if you’re going to be around.”
“Did he really? And you listened?”
“There were threats. He came up with an alternative solution.” She gestures at the edibles. “Not ideal but I understand we’re guests in this house and I will do my best to behave.”
“Huh.” I watch her, stunned. I’ve never seen my mother give up her smokes before, not once in my entire life. She’d usually rather cut off her own fingers than let someone like Connor win.
But he went to war with her, stood up, and he won.
All for me and the baby.
My heart flutters. He didn’t even say anything about it either.
Connor saw a problem and he fixed it.
No discussion, no worries. Only action.
I like that.
I continue straightening until the place looks decent. It’s obvious why Mom gave in to Connor’s demands once I start thinking about it. This house is pure luxury: all her needs are met at all hours of the day. No fuss, no stress, no reason to get off her ass at all. It’s my mother’s ideal state.
That should bother me more than it does.
After all this time, I can’t get mad about it anymore. Dawn is who she is and she’s never going to change. Yes, she gave up smoking for the baby—but mostly for her own comfort, and mostly because Connor forced her to.
It’s strange having someone looking out for me, when I’ve always been the one putting myself after others.
As I place some dirty laundry in Mom’s basket, there’s a loud pop outside, like an explosion. I check the window and wander back into the living room. “Did you hear that?”
Mom doesn’t look over. “Hear what?”
Another blast. And another, and another. Louder this time. “What is that?”
“Fireworks. Didn’t that girl set some off the other night?”
“True, but—“
This time, the house shakes. It feels like the floorboards tremble. I grab onto the back of the couch and even Mom perks up in surprise.