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With a sigh, Punky nods. “Aye, I’ll accept it.”
I wrap my arms around myself, his words having me trembling in fear. “Well, I don’t accept it. There’s got to be another way.”
Punky merely smiles weakly in response.
Before I have a chance to demand he fight, headlights light up the driveway. He instantly shields me with his body as he places me behind his back.
“Is it the police?” I ask, unsure who would be here at such an early hour. I doubt the enemy would announce their arrival this way.
Punky stares into the distance, and when he sees who it is, he curses under his breath. “No, worse.”
Worse than the police?
I understand what he means when the car comes to a screeching halt, and Fiona comes charging out of the driver’s side, not bothering to switch off the engine.
“Where is she?” she screams hysterically. This will not end well.
“Fiona—”
She doesn’t give Punky time to explain before she slaps him across the cheek. “You bastard! Ye good for nothin’ arsehole! What did you do to my daughter?”
She pounds her fists against his chest, cursing and calling him every name under the sun. He doesn’t fight back. He accepts her abuse because I know he believes he deserves it.
“She’s inside sleepin’,” he says blankly. “Ethan is gone.”
“No!” she screams over and over again. “This is your fault! All of this is yer fault. Everythin’ ya touch turns to shite! I hate ya! I fuckin’ hate ye!”
She slaps him again, and like before, he doesn’t retaliate. He merely stands still, a broken statue, dead inside.
“Ya took Connor away from me, and now yer takin’ my wains. Ye won’t be happy until they’re all dead.”
She goes to slap him again, but I seize her wrist midair. I’ve had enough. “You’ve made your point, Fiona.”
Ripping from my hold, she snarls, primed on hitting me.
“Go ahead. I dare you,” I challenge her because, unlike Punky, I’ll hit back.
She reads my threat for what it is and steps back. “You’re next,” she sneers. “Mark my words. That boy is cursed.”
“Oh, shut up,” I snap, not interested in her bullshit. “It’s a little too late to play concerned mother now. Have you ever wondered why Hannah has no worry for her safety when it comes to Puck? Because he was there for her when you weren’t.
“He went to prison to protect them, and all you cared about was finding another man to fill Connor’s shoes because you’re so afraid of being alone. You’re pathetic.”
“He’s got you fooled too then,” she says, shaking her head in pity.
But she can shove her pity right up her arrogant ass. “I’m not fooled. I see Puck for who he is. I always have. Too bad you never did. You married your dead best friend’s husband before she was dead and buried. The least you could have done was look after her son.
“But you’re so fucking selfish, and now, the karma train is coming.”
She blinks once, horrified at my words.
“Well, choo fucking choo.”
Her mouth gapes open as she doesn’t know what to say. I’ve never spoken to her this way before. Even when Hannah would come to me with stories of her negligent mother growing up, I always kept the peace.
But no more.
“Hannah is sleeping, and she will not be disturbed. You can come back tomorrow.”
