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"Hey, Mom," I said cheerily. Her freshly dyed blond hair was perfectly coiffed, her appearance on point. I had to give it to her, she knew how to play the socialite part well.
"Mrs. Rossi, thank you again for allowing me and my sister to attend your party and stay in your home. It's very generous of you and we appreciate it."
"Hayden, what a gentleman." With a tilt of her head, she looked pleased. That was a plus. "You're more than welcome here anytime." Her voice was a perfect lilt of culture and wealth. "There's plenty of food and drinks, so make sure you help yourself to whatever you like. I know you guys are leaving early tomorrow, so if I don't see you, have a safe trip back and I hope to see you again." Just when I thought I was off the hook, she gave me the look. It was all I needed. "Excuse us, I need a word with my daughter."
"I'll see you guys in a few. Ave, keep them company for me, please?" She nodded.
Placing her hand on my lower back, Mom guided us until we were out of view of the wandering eyes and gossiping ears of Palm Beach, then she grabbed my arm and lead me straight toward Dad’s office. Just steps from the door, Xavier turned the corner. Our eyes locked and his face grew grim when he saw the grip she had on my arm. He knew. I tried to smile but my nerves got the best of me. I felt downright ready to vomit.
Two dainty, light taps, and Mom pushed open the door. In a saccharin tone, she asked, "Frank, may I have a minute with you, please?"
Dad nodded. A man I'd never seen before excused himself from the room as Xavier walked in and went straight for Dad’s private stash of liquor. They said nothing as he poured a glass of bourbon and dropped an ice cube into it, but I felt a hundred times lighter with him in there. I knew what was coming, as did he.
"Frank," she huffed, not bothering to disguise her displeasure.
"Joy."
"Tell your daughter to go change her outfit right now. I refuse to allow her to parade around in that scrap of material she calls a dress."
He squinted at me, a crease formed between his eyes. He looked at Mom. "What's wrong with her outfit?"
The white ring around Mom’s eyes glowed, her sharp cheekbones turned beet red. "What's wrong with it? What's wrong is that she looks like a slut!" Her eyes settled on Dad with determination.
Just as he'd brought the drink to his lips to take a sip, Dad paused. "Watch what you say, Joy." He tilted his head to the side and gave her a dark, scathing glare that made the hair on the back of my neck rise.
"Mom," Xavier growled, his tone deep and protective. He took a step toward her, his eyes a glossy shade of red. Fury like I'd never seen before exuded off him. I didn't move—I couldn't breathe. "That's your daughter you're talking about," he spat.
Mom stayed silent, a contemptuous look on her face meant just for Xavier. He didn't back down, neither did she, she didn't care that her comment hurt me.
Taking a sip from his glass, Xavier shook his head. "If you think I'm going to stand here and allow you to degrade and humiliate my sister, then you got another fuckin' thing coming." Xavier snapped his fingers at me. I thought he was going to crush the glass in his other hand. "Adrianna, let's fuckin' go."
I sucked in a breath and regretted my existence. I'd never heard that tone from him before and it frightened me.
"Adrianna," Xavier demanded my attention, but I didn't move. He walked over, his eyes trained on Mom as he passed her, like a jaguar ready to pounce. He grabbed my hand.
"Xavier, wait," Dad ordered, then he looked at Mom. He stood up and prowled toward her, stopping less than a foot away, and pointed a finger straight down at her nose.
"If you ever call my daughter a slut again, I will ruin you. Do you understand me? Ruin you. You'll never be able to show your face in this town again." Dad’s voice was deadly calm. Xavier nodded next to me and I almost fainted. He squeezed my hand. He had so much more bravado than I ever did.
Naturally, it didn't tame Mom in the least.
"Ruin me? Not a chance. Not the way I could ruin you." She fought back with a sneer.
Dad glared at her with fire in his eyes. "Don't fuck with me, Joy."
She hesitated for a moment. "But I didn't call her—"
"Yes, you did. In so many words, you did. Don't try and retract your statement now. Did you forget who you're talking to?" Defiantly, she pursed her lips together and propped her hands on her hips. She should've been an attorney. "If I ever hear you call her such a derogatory name again, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
"Is that a threat?"
Dad didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Mom lifted an arrogant brow and shifted her fiery gaze toward me. The tension between them was fierce. "Tell her to change her outfit…please."
"No."
"No?" she squeaked. Any minute now she was going to combust.
