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“How dare you speak to us like that,” Marianne added.
“You belittle me at every turn!” I replied, struggling to remain calm.
“I gave you everything!” Mom snapped. “All I ask for is a few things in return, Summer. You’re so selfish and greedy. Good lord, child, if not for me, you’d have ended up in a terrible place. All the times I was ill, and I got up and looked after you, when I went hungry to feed you, went without to buy you Christmas presents. And this is the thanks I get?”
Oh, Mom was excellent at the guilt trip.
“And what about me? When your dad was abroad, I took care of you to help your mother out. Made sure you ate well and had clothes on your back at your dads. How many times did I call you to speak to your dad on video chats? I can’t believe you turned into this—this—I don’t even have a word for the shame,” Marrianne spluttered.
“I don’t begrudge you anything, but to jump down my throat before I have my coat off is ridiculous. It was clear I’d be late home when I didn’t walk through the door at half five, so why couldn’t one of you, just once, have started dinner? Neither of you help out in the house. You do not do laundry or wash plates. You sit around while I’m busting my ass earning money, which you think you’re entitled to spend. I can’t handle much more; something has to give,” I said, clenching my hands into fists.
“I fight depression over your father’s death every day. And you expect me to get over it?” Marrianne challenged.
“You expected me to,” I shot back.
“He wasn’t the love of your life!” Marrianne snapped.
“No, he was just my father. Do what you want tonight. I’m worn out and so done with this bull,” I said and turned on my heel.
As I walked away, vile comments were thrown at me. I snatched my purse up as I passed it because they’d only steal money to buy a takeaway. Let them cook for once. All I needed was my bed.
Slick
He bit his lip hard as he heard the insults flying from the window. Maybe the two bitches inside weren’t aware it was open, or more than likely, they didn’t care. He was disgustedwith them. This was why Summer refused dinner? Because she had to be home to pamper these spoilt bitches?
One he guessed was her mother, and judging how she used Summer’s father against her, he guessed the second was a stepmother. Slick wondered why they were living in the house that Summer’s dad had left to her. And why they didn’t have jobs. It was pretty much obvious that Summer worked her little socks off at the garden centre. Why weren’t they looking after her instead?
A screech about an ungrateful, nasty child made him realise why. Slick would lay money that they expected Summer to look after them; all the while, they broke her self-confidence down. If they could control Summer, then they controlled the cash and everything else. And Slick had little doubt they had done that. He assumed that they’d moved themselves into the house when her dad died, or soon after. And while Summer was grieving and at a low point, Slick believed that they’d broken her spirit further.
He was contemplating storming up the drive, grabbing Summer, and taking her for a decent meal. Of course, if the two bitches answered the door, he’d also let them have it.
Slick glanced up and spotted a light switch on in a tiny room. Fuck, Summer didn’t even have a big bedroom in the house?
Slick’s temper began to rise, especially as the women’s voices became shrill as they realised Summer had taken her purse. Clearly, they were looking to steal money from her.
Slick heard distant pipes just as he was about to swing off his bike. Knowing Rage wouldn’t be around this area, Slick took off with a rueful glance over his shoulder.
As he turned the corner, he saw six Fangs at the crossroads ahead.
Slick drove his bike behind a van and hoped that they didn’t come this way. He wasn’t worried about himself, but Summer.As much as Slick wracked his brains, he couldn’t think of a single reason Fangs were in this area.
His heart jumped as the Fangs rode away from Summer’s Street. Slick released a breath he wasn’t even aware he was holding. His heart slowed as he held a hand to his chest. The fact the Fangs had been so near Summer had nearly caused him to panic. And they made Slick question whether he was right to date Summer. Irish had put forward a great argument for not having a partner…
Then Slick’s mind caught on Summer’s laughter and the shy smile she’d offered him, and he knew he couldn’t walk away. He was already half in love with Summer, and he wanted more.
Those fuckin’ bitches needed to be handled. There was no way he would leave her open to them for much longer. Mac had found Summer’s address but hadn’t mentioned anyone living with her. He’d get Mac to do a dive on Summer’s family and check those women out.
No one disrespected his woman and got away scot-free. Slick had the two bitches in his crosshairs, and he would protect Summer. Especially if she was too nice to do it herself.
Chapter Seven.
Summer
Ilooked up as footsteps headed down the path towards me. Today, I was working in greenhouse number four, and I wasn’t expecting visitors. Somebody politely knocked on the door, and then it opened, and a lady stuck her head in.
“Hi there, are you Summer?” she inquired with a warm smile.
“Hi, yeah, I am. Can I help you?”
