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“I got an A on my latest math exam,” Eve says while we eat dinner.
Wallace doesn’t acknowledge her accomplishment in the slightest.
“How long have you two been married?” he asks Riley.
“A while,” I answer. “Why?”
He shrugs. “I’m hurt that I didn't get an invite to the wedding.” He chuckles. “Hell, I need to make sure you’re right for my baby sister.”
“The h-word is a swear word. You have to put a dollar in the jar,” Eve tells her father.
The son of a bitch doesn’t even look at his daughter.
“I mean, I didn’t even know she was dating anyone seriously. Then I up and hear she’s married. I bet it was a nice wedding. Probably cost a lot of money,” he continues.
“Why would that be?” I clasp my hands over my plate because, despite how good Riley’s cooking is, I can’t stomach eating in this asshole’s presence.
“No reason.” He shakes it off. “But seeing as we’re family now, we should get to know one another better. I hear you’re a businessman like me. I have this venture—”
“Does anyone want any more garlic bread?” Riley asks.
“I do,” Eve says.
Wallace frowns at his sister. “Yeah, sure. How about you go make some more?”
“You know what?” I interrupt, barely suppressing my anger. “It’s been a long day. How about we call it quits for the night?”
It’s barely seven o’clock but I can’t stomach being in this asshole’s presence for much longer. However, the last thing I want to do is to knock him on his ass in front of Eve or Riley. They don’t need to see that type of violence.
“Wallace, can I speak with you outside before you go?”
His eyebrows lift and his eyes shift from me to Riley, as if asking her what this is about.
“It’ll be quick. I don’t want to keep you too long,” I say with mock friendliness. “I know you’re a businessman with a busy schedule.”
He puffs out his chest.
“Don’t touch those dishes,” I tell Riley at the same time I rise from my chair. “I’ll clean those up when I return.”
Wallace Jr. follows me to the door, again, not even acknowledging his daughter. Not until Eve calls, “Bye, Dad,” does he toss her a half-hearted wave over his shoulder.
I crack my neck as I step into the hallway to keep from balling my fists and throwing the sorry son of a bitch a throat punch.
“Thanks for agreeing to talk with me,” I tell him. “Like I said, we’re both busy men so I’ll cut to the chase. I think you’re a smart man, Wallace.”
His forehead wrinkles a bit as if he’s confused. It doesn’t last too long before his chest puffs out again.
“Thank you, Kyle,” he says, patting my shoulder.
I glare down at his hand. He quickly removes it.
“I’m sorry we can’t talk more tonight, though. The kid’s got school in the morning and Riley and I have work.”
“Yeah … yeah. I was just telling Riley that whatever consulting she’s doing for that company of yours must be important.”
“Oh, it is. But I also have business ventures of my own. Not related to my family. That’s where you come in.” I lower my voice in an almost conspiratorial way.
Like the sucker he is, Wallace leans in, silently seeking more information.
