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I’m not sure what I expected when I opened the door, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing a familiar face on the other side. There's a wall of armed men standing between him and me. He’s red-faced, snarling, with his shirt only half tucked in and an empty bottle of Jack Daniels lying on the ground near his car door. It probably fell out when he opened it. Fuck, this is worse than I thought.
“What the hell is going on?” I demand once I’ve taken in the scene.
I wave a hand, calling off the guards. Charlie looks different. I used to recognize the man he was. The version before me bears a slight resemblance. He's put on a few pounds and is not as polished or put together as he used to be when we had to see each other at an event, like the girls’ graduation.
Nonetheless, he would stare holes through me back then, too. Similar to the way he is now. It goes to show that a person can change physically, but their hate for you can never dissipate.
“Charlie,” I fold my arms across my chest, slowly looking him up and down, “you look like shit.”
“Shut the hell up,” he snarls, his voice slurring. “I don't want to hear your bullshit.”
“That’s very rich of you as you fly up my driveway, rushing towards my house like a bat out of hell while nearly running down two of my men. In what world do you live in where you think that is acceptable?”
Another question lingers. How did he get past the front gate? I imagine he flashed a badge and knew the right things to say. Either way, I’m going to have a talk with Henry.
My men eye me wearily, waiting for my command. It would be effortless to nod my head only once and be rid of this obstacle forever. It’s a tempting thought. Getting him out of the way and allowing my little bird to live her life unencumbered by her domineering father.
Unfortunately, it’s not an option, nor will it ever be. I shake my head slightly, but enough that they know to stand down. He’s no threat—at least, not to me. He’s too busy hurting himself by the looks of it.
“Why don’t you explain to me why you’re here?” I suggest in a cool voice. Let him rant and rave. It’s not me that’s making a fool of myself. Nothing is saying I need to sink to his level of childishness.
“Gladly.” He's bleary-eyed, swaying on his feet. Drinking this early in the day? It shouldn't come as a surprise after what I heard Bianca tell Tatum. He's made a real mess of himself, this man who's spent so much of his life thinking he was superior to me. I can't pretend there isn't a sense of gratification in seeing him this way. Watching him sink to new lows.
It’s almost laughable that this is the man who thought he could take me down. What a sad joke.
He lifts his lip, his narrowed eyes glittering with rage when they lock on mine. “You. You and your daughter. All these years, I knew you were no good for her. Nothing but a bad influence. That’s what I told myself at the time. I only wish I had the backbone to nip this shit in the ass. But...”
He lifts his chin defiantly. “I told myself she needed people in her life. Friends. She had already lost so damn much, and it’s all thanks to you!”
I touch a hand to my chest. “Thanks to me?” He's not making any sense, not even close. I can barely keep up.
“And then I have to sit here and watch her make these mistakes. Every minute she spends in your presence, she moves further away from what's right.”
He swings his arms wide enough that my men have to back away, and I don't think he notices. His gaze never wavers from mine. “How can you convince a kid to do the right thing when they see all this? I let her get closer to your daughter, and this poison seeped into her. I bet she sees how you live and thinks this is what she wants. I bet she wants your world. She wants to live like your Tatum.”
Pain pinches his features. “Now you've ruined her. I barely recognize her anymore. This is your fault. Once again, I’m reminded that I should’ve killed you years ago.”
“That's right, detective,” I encourage with a laugh. “Say it out loud, with witnesses all around us. You wanted to kill me years ago. What, you didn't have the balls to go through with it?” I’m goading him, my own anger bubbling to the surface. I hate the way he treats Bianca. The way she feels responsible for him.
