Unwilling to argue with either one of them any further, I whistle at Finch and point at Cori. Finch stands in front of her and growls. Cori jumps on the kitchen counter, and I take Selene, throw her over my shoulder, and grab her purse on my way out of the house.
She cusses and hits my back, but I don’t put her down until we get outside. I look around, and don’t see her car.
“I don’t have a car, you jerk.” She tries to hit me, but I take both wrists in one hand. “I sold it, and then you took Cori off your accounts.”
“Walk.” I leave her on the sidewalk and return to the house. Cori is still on the kitchen island, shoving food down her throat. Of course, there’s none for me, so I snatch the container from her, stick my hand in it, and shove a handful of macaroni in my mouth.
She doesn’t argue or cuss me out like I thought she would, but she jumps off the island. When Finch growls and gets closer, she holds out her hand and says, “Sit.” Finch whines, but she listens.
Cori walks out of the kitchen and out of my sight without another word to me, so I finish the food and find her upstairs in bed watching television. I do what I never allow Finch to do. I whistle and tilt my head to the bed. She jumps on. Cori backs away, but doesn’t go running like I thought she would.
“Nice trick, by the way.” Her voice is as sexy as the first time I heard it, and my body becomes alive. “It took me almost all day to find a lawyer you haven’t already contacted. Every divorce lawyer within a hundred miles can’t represent me due to a conflict of interest.” I neither deny nor confirm that I spent all of yesterday calling lawyers first. “But I found one. And thanks for sending the housekeeper. I used her phone to call Selene, who helped me find a lawyer to get away from your ass. She’ll be in touch. I suggest you move out of this house because I’m not giving it up.”
I sit on the edge of the bed. It takes all of my willpower not to caress her legs or rub her feet. “When I was a kid, my mother’s favorite movie was something called The War of the Roses. Ever heard of it, Bella?” She doesn’t answer, but her eyes narrow. “Probably not. It’s an eighties movie, so before your time. Anyway, they were a couple going through a bitter divorce, fighting tooth and nail for guess what?” She remains quiet, but she arches one perfect eyebrow. “The house. Do youwant to know how the movie ends? They both die in the house while fighting for it. Bring it on.”
“You’re cute.” Her words are dismissive, not flirty like I want them to be. “Either that or you’re an egomaniac. Probably the latter because you’re not looking all too good to me right now. But I admire how you think you’re capable of taking my life.” She scoffs, grabs the remote, and turns up the television's volume.
“I guess it won’t be as easy as taking your grandmother’s sewing machine and kicking it until it breaks.” I shrug. “Oh, well.”
“When I become a divorcee or a rich widow, I can buy all the sewing machines I want. I'm not pressed.” I can tell from the inflection of her voice and the twitching of her cheek that she is pressed. She’s more than pressed, and I take comfort in that. I know how much that sewing machine means to her, and I don’t feel an ounce of regret for taking it. “By the way, I made plans to take your mother to the spa and to lunch tomorrow. I will need my car and money.”
I know it kills her to have to say that.
“Are you asking me?” I decide to twist the knife. “Does your husband need to give you money and a car to go out? And permission. Don’t forget permission.”
“Did you hear a question? Give me money and make sure my car runs. Period, not question mark, dumb ass. How the hell did you get into college when you lack basic comprehension skills?”
“At least I went,” I throw out. Her cheek twitches again, and I fight myself not to take the words back. It’s not her fault she didn’t go, and I know how hurt she is.
“You play the victim so well. You should have picked drama instead of biology. But then, that wouldn’t have gone anywhere either, you criminal.”
“Fuck outta here.” I wave my hand at her in dismissal.
“And it will be a cold day in hell before I would ask you or any man for anything.” She turns off the television, hops out of bed, and walks out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter 47
Dax
The little liar was truthful about having plans with my mother. Mom was at the house by midmorning, and the two of them were in the living room talking and giggling. It almost felt like a normal home where the people in it get along and love each other.
Cori pours my mother a mug of coffee and pulls me aside.
“I need money and my car.” There was no question or remorse in her voice, and for a second, I wanted to tell her to go to hell, but my mother’s words stopped me.
“With your sister being gone, it’s so nice to have another daughter to do these things with. I don’t remember the last time I had a day of pampering. The only thing that could make it better is if Josie could join us.”
Cori crossed her arms as if daring me to deny my mother this day. Whatever my issues are with the snake I married, my mother has nothing to do with it.
“Fine. Today only.” I hand her a credit card and her car key. “I realize you can’t help yourself, but try not to lie to my mother. I know for someone like you, lying is as easy as breathing.”
She gives me a cold, calculated smile. She gets closer to me and spreads her hands on my chest. My body wakes up, and despite knowing I need to walk away from her, I remain frozen.
“Lie? You mean like this?” She gets so close that our bodies practically touch. “You’re so handsome.” My nostrils flare. “I love you.”
My heart stops beating at those three words, and for a moment, she has me again. I bend down to kiss her, but she drops her hands and jumps away. She points and laughs, and I feel like the biggest fool who ever lived.
I walk away without a word to her or my mother, and lock myself in my office until they leave. Once they’re gone, I walk Finch, give her food and water, then go to meet one of my attorneys.
