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Chapter Sixteen
Abby
Abby’s heels made a rapid staccato on the pavement of her apartment parking lot. She’d just got home from work and couldn’t wait to get out of the accursed shoes that went along with the prim and proper black dress which was so tight she could barely sit in it. Perhaps taking fashion advice from her sister hadn't been the best idea. But, at least they had bonded somewhat. That was why she was only half surprised to see Elaina’s ridiculously bright yellow Porsche parked up front near the entrance, with Elaina leaning against it…glaring daggers at her.
Cautiously, Abby continued her stroll in Elaina’s direction. She gave her car a glance over her shoulder, wondering if she should hop back in and hightail it out of there. By the look on her sister’s face, they weren’t going to be exchanging nice words.
“I don’t need this right now,” she said to herself. She forced out a smile. “Elaina, what are you doing slumming it in this part of town?”
Elaina’s scowl deepened. “I’m here to tell you that I’ll be homeless in a matter of days. I wanted to tell you to your face, so I could see your expression and see if you give a damn.”
Wearily, Abby rubbed her forehead. “Of course, I care. if I didn’t I wouldn’t have been sucked into this ridiculous plot.”
“Did you know that mom saw Henry today? They had a little chat. Apparently, the mansion will be taken in two days. Mom has been doing everything in her power to keep it, but it’s not going to happen. This is all Damian’s doing. That heartless prick.”
Abby’s heart sunk to the same level as the pavement. It was the thought of her mother and sister being kicked out of their home, but if she was honest with herself, it was mostly because each time she got evidence of Damian’s callousness, it was like a slap in the face. She’d never wanted people to be wrong about someone so badly. “I thought we had more time.”
“You thought?” Elaina laughed. “What the hell have you been doing, Abby? You should have gotten something on Coldwell by now.”
Throwing her hands up, Abby went on the defensive. “What do you think I am? Some professional spy? It’s impossible to find anything useful on him.” She did try a bit harder than she did in the beginning. The problem was, each time she set her mind to do better, she got distracted by everything that was Damian—the way he kissed her, made love to her, held on to her as if she meant something to him. Of course, she had no illusions that they were going to end up in some fairy tale romance, but it still felt good to be held, to feel secure, even it was false security.
“Look, Elaina, I’m trying. Okay? Damian has everything that might be useful under lock and key and he’s tight-lipped about everything.” Glancing around the lot, Abby added, “Can we please not talk about this out here?”
Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “No, we’re going to talk right here because I think you’re losing yourself with him, Abby. You’ve forgotten all about the mission.”
The mission. It was a wonder that Abby managed to keep herself from breaking out into a fit of hysterical laughter. Was she caught in a scene of a really bad spy movie? Things were getting way out of hand. Along with the responsibility of destroying a man, she’d somehow become responsible for keeping a roof over her family’s head…and it wasn’t fair.
“One, please don’t use the word mission like that. We’re not acting in a remake of Goldfinger. Two, I think it’s Celeste who should shoulder the responsibility of keeping a roof over your heads. Three, I’ve tried to get something on Damian. I’m still trying.” There was that laptop that she hadn’t gotten her hands on yet. The one he stared at just about every night she was with him. Most of the time, she didn’t make her presence known, she just watched him stare broodingly at the screen. She knew that what she needed was on that computer, but Damian didn’t let her out of his sight long enough for her to snoop.
Elaina glanced around the parking lot before letting out a snort. “Sure you've been trying. Trying to keep your place in Damian’s bed! Don’t think I haven’t seen him parading you around like a brand new toy, and you’ve been acting like a simpering slut. Get your priorities back in order, Abby, and do what you’re supposed to do to help our family!”
Anger, hot and raging, rose up inside of her. The temper that she usually tried to hold on to—where her sister was concerned—was about to snap. It had only been a matter time till she lost her cool, what with the mounting pressure of the mission she’d been tasked with, coupled with her ever-growing guilt and frustration. Nostrils flaring and eyes blazing, she took a step closer to Elena, finger jabbing at her inflated chest.
“First of all, I do not simper, and if anyone deserves to be categorized as a slut, it’s you, sister dearest. Get one thing straight, Elaina, you and mother are not high on my list of priorities. Why would you be when I’ve never held a place on yours? It’s funny to me how I’m suddenly such an important member of this family when it suits both of you.”
Elaina took a step back as Abby advanced. Abby had had enough, and she was slightly worried that the mounting stress of her situation had finally caused her to go postal, but she had no intention of halting her tirade. Hopefully, she wouldn’t give in to the temptation to reach out and throttle her sister. “You know what I think, Elaina? I think you’re extra-pressed because you’re jealous. I’ve managed to hold Damian’s interest, and you couldn’t. I know you two have history, according to mom.”
“I am not jealous. Over that cad? Get real, Abby, he’s just using you for his own amusement because that’s what he does. He’ll throw you out of his bed and his life once he gets bored with trying the new flavor of nerdy redheads.”
Abby ignored the sinking feeling in her gut and the dull ache in her chest at the thought of Damian letting her loose to move on to the next flavor, as her sister put it. She knew it was inevitable, but it still hurt to hear it out loud. “Well, if he’s using me, I’d say I deserve it. I’m not exactly with him for the romance either, am I?” Feeling extremely petty because Elaina had hit a sore spot, Abby smirked. “Still, I was able to hold his attention longer than you did it seems. He must have been turned off by the fake boobs and fake blonde hair…by the whole artificial being that is you, Elaina.”
Abby didn’t see it coming.
She was in too much shock to dodge Elaina’s blow when it caught her on the shoulder. Abby and her sister hadn’t physically fought since Elaina was fifteen and Abby was twelve. It had been an all-out brawl over Abby ruining Elaina’s favorite Chanel sweater. Never had Abby thought her sister would put her hands on her in adulthood.
Stumbling back, Abby cradled her arm. “Ouch, that’s going to bruise. Have you lost your mind? How old are you right now?”
“Don’t patronize me, you little shit.”
Unable to help herself, as always, Abby stood as straight as she could and said, “Oh my! What a big word coming from you. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself thinking of it.”
“You are such a little bitch,” Elaina said, advancing, forcing Abby to take retreating steps. “You think you’re better than me, don’t you? You always have.”
Batting away another blow with her handbag, Abby scoffed. “What are you talking about? How did we even get to this? We’re standing in a parking lot for goodness sake. Us fighting like this is absurd. Aren’t you afraid you’ll break a nail or something?”
“You don’t even deny it. Since we were kids you’ve always thought you were better than me. Daddy doted on you as if you were his only daughter.”
With a shocked gasp, Abby stopped her retreat and put her hands on her hips. Thankfully, Elaina stopped swiping at her with balled fists. They stood toe-to-toe, with Abby at a disadvantage. She had to tilt her head up to stare up at her sister, and it irritated her. “How dare you say that? Who was the one who got every designer purse, shoes, and all the clothing she ever asked for? Daddy said no to me more than he did you.”
