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“I wasn’t upset when he died.”
Mother snorted. “You sound like my children. Can you imagine, killing your own father? And not caring about it?”
“Yes, I can. It’s what we do.”
Mother shook her head, jabbing a finger in Erin’s direction. Chika glared pure malevolence at Mother, but she was too drunk and fixated on teaching Erin a lesson to notice the danger.
“It wasn’t always this way. The Oligarchs respected each other when I was growing up. They were strong and they disagreed, but it never came to war and killing. My husband—”
“Was an abusive dickhead,” Mel finished for her, cutting in. “And you’re drunk again.”
“Watch your tone, young lady.”
“God, Mom, I’m not a little girl anymore. You’re hammered. When did you start today? Lunch? Breakfast?”
“You don’t get to judge me, not when you’ve forgiven your daddy-killer older brother.”
“Enough,” I said, rubbing my temples.
This wasn’t what I wanted to show Erin. I hoped my mother would behave herself for once and Erin would see a united front—but instead, my family acted like they always did.
I shouldn’t have been surprised, and I still was anyway.
“Just because you run the family now doesn’t mean you can order me around.” Mother whirled on me. “I remember when you were in diapers.”
“As if you ever changed one,” Mel grumbled.
“I’ll have you know I breastfed you both.”
“For what, three days?” Mel rolled her eyes. “You’re embarrassing yourself, Mom.”
“Enough,” I said with venom, glaring at my mother. “We have guests. You’re going to act like this in front of them?”
“What do I care? This is just the trashy daughter of a second-rate Oligarch and her hired pet. They’re meaningless to me.” Mother tilted her chin in the air as if she had any claim to superior breeding.
Dad met her in a bar when she was twenty-seven and serving drinks to rich hedge fund managers. She was born in Iowa, went to college in Indiana, and moved to LA to pursue acting. She was like a thousand other failed, washed-up dreamers, except she landed a whale—the biggest score of her life.
Now she acted like she came out of the womb wrapped in class and riches.
“Watch yourself, Mother,” I said. “If you can’t behave, I’ll ask you to leave.”
“Oh, Redmond, don’t threaten me with a good time.” She slammed her wine back and glared at Erin. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you’re barking up the wrong tree, missy. My son may be a ruthless father-killer, but he’s no good, and you’re even worse. You’re worth less than nothing. With a face like that, I can’t imagine why you’re still single. Oh, are you getting angry? Poor little spoiled Oligarch girl’s getting mad? You’re a feckless little—”
“Enough,” I roared, slamming my fists on the table. Mel looked surprised and Mother had the good sense to shut her mouth. I shoved my chair back. “Erin, come with me. Chika, I’d appreciate it if you excused yourself for the evening. Mother, you can eat with Mel.”
“She can eat alone.” Mel leapt up and got out of there as fast as she could.
Traitor.
Erin hesitated, but she stood. She nodded at Chika, who glared death at Mother one last time before leaving. Mother sat primly, wiping at her mouth with a cloth napkin.
“Come with me.” I stared at Erin until she obeyed, her cheeks flushed. I couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or angry or something else.
“Don’t be stupid, Redmond,” Mother called as I led Erin out the back way toward the porch overlooking the pool and the gardens. “If you fall in with trash like that, you’ll end up in a grave like your father. She’s not worth your time.”
I slammed the door shut once we were outside. Erin drifted to the railing and looked at the bushes and flowers, their petals and leaves shimmering beneath the full moon. I took several calming breaths, trying to get myself centered.
“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that,” Erin said without looking back.
I clenched my jaw. “I hoped she’d be on her best behavior.”
“Does she understand why I’m here?”
“I thought she did, but perhaps not.”
She nodded as if to herself. “It’s okay, you know. My mother’s not much better.”
“I can’t imagine she’s like mine.”
“No, she’s not, but she’s difficult in other ways. I had to steal Chika away from her and usurp a lot of her control before I could escape that hell.” She didn’t look at me when I joined her, standing close.
“Is that how you see your home? It was a hell for you?”
“I think all of these places have their own tortures.”
“You’re right about that. Things are even worse now though.”
“Are they? I would’ve guessed your life would improve without your father.”
I smiled bitterly. Those early days were heady as I began to take control of the Orchard empire. I was so optimistic and excited—until members of my own family began to push back against my claim.
