My head rolls back, and I do everything I can to not picture it.
“Please, don’t,” I say with a chuckle.
“All god damn week I’ve had to hear about all the shit you’ve done. I can’t get a moment’s peace in my own house because of you.” King gives me a look of disgust.
“What are they saying about me?”
“A lot of shit, but the most noteworthy is that she’s going to leave your sorry, pathetic, wife-buying ass as soon as her mother gets the surgery.”
I scoff at that. There’s no way I’ll let that happen, but I’ll have to work that much harder to get her to stop being angry at me.
“What else?” I probe, eager to know as much of her thoughts as possible, but King looks away and doesn’t answer.
“Are we in high school? What kind of tux do you want me to wear?” Preacher pulls out his phone, but I’m distracted by a loud knock.
“What the fuck does your father-in-law want, King?” King makes no moves to let him in. He wouldn’t. He can’t stand his wife’s parents, so I get up and yank the door open. Sheriff Rose saunters in without an invitation, so I slam the door behind him to let him know his presence is neither wanted nor welcome.
“Gentlemen.” Rose gestures at us. “And I use that term very loosely amongst you three.” He’s in full uniform, and his radio buzzes. He walks around the empty space. There’s nothing for him to look at. There’s a monitor, a desk, and a couch. “Hunt, I’m here to see you.”
“I don’t answer to you, Rose.”
He ignores my dig. The room is quiet except for the sound of his heavy footsteps. “Cori Lamb is like a daughter to me. She’sspent half her life in my house. She’s a part of my family.” He points at my face, and I knock his hand down.
“Well, she’s about to be my wife. What time do you want us over for Sunday dinner?”
“Cori never needs an invitation to come to my home, but you’re not welcome. You’re not good enough for her.”
“I’m hurt.” I put both hands to my heart.
“What did you and that snake of a father of hers get into? What did you dangle in front of him to make him offer you his daughter on a platter?” I ignore him and take my seat behind the desk. He plants both hands on the table and glares down at me.
Sheriff Rose never would have done what Lamb did. He would have shot me before he would have given in to my demands. Rose might have his vices, but he has more principle than Lamb on his best day.
“Maybe the lady just fell in love with me like your daughter fell for King.” At that, King scoffs. “Remember that?” I taunt. “He saw your daughter, took her, and there wasn’t a God damn thing you could do about it. What makes you think you can do anything about Cori and me when you couldn’t keep your own daughter in check?”
“Leave my wife out of this. This has nothing to do with her.” King eyes me up and down.
“Yes, and as much as I hate him.” Rose points at King without bothering to look in his direction.
“Feeling’s mutual, Sheriff.” King sounds more annoyed than bothered by his father-in-law’s words.
“My daughter is too good for that scumbag, but there’s one very important fact. Eden chose that bum. Last I checked, ain’t nobody chose you, Hunt.”
“Oh, Sheriff, it’s nice to see you, too,” King tosses out. “How’s your gambling addiction going?"
“Low blow,” Preacher says. “He’s been to rehab.”
“So, my question remains.” Rose slams his hand on my desk.
“Do you want to lose that fucking hand?” I snap.
“What scheme have you and that father of hers cooked up?”
“I assume this little visit means you got my invitation, Rose? I’ll see you in a few days. Wear something nice. Until then, mind your own damn business and stay the fuck away from me.” I gesture toward the door, but the asshole doesn’t leave.
“I’m watching you, but in the meantime, I know Cori well enough to know she’s going to make you pay for this. I’ll take solace in knowing she will make your life miserable.” He straightens up as if that threat makes him feel better. “Now, Ripley.” Those loud boots bang on the linoleum floor until he reaches his son-in-law. “I expect to see you on Friday for dinner. You didn’t come last month, and—”
“Did you miss me, Sheriff?” King has a rare hint of amusement in his voice.
