Page 31 of Hateful Union
I should have known that once was never enough with her. I'm hoping that when I can talk to my da he’ll be able to shed some light on my situation. That means admitting what's happened. What's going on with the Silvers and knowing my da, he’ll want in on the action. There'll be no stopping him.
A driver is waiting for me outside the airport. My aunt Makenna has organized one of her men to bring me to the house. My da, my brother Danny and his wife, Melissa, are already here, having arrived yesterday.
Sliding into the car, I check my phone. I have a couple of emails and some text messages, but nothing from Christian, Isiah, or Matt. I relax further, knowing that she’s okay. God, I’m a fucking sap. Why the hell am I getting worked up over her?
An hour later and the car’s driving into the long driveway of Makenna and Dante’s house. Before I’m even out of the car, Da’s at the front door with a smile on his face, his eyes heavy and I know that look. I've seen it every day for the past fifteen or so years. Ma’s getting to him.
My jaw clenches when I see the woman in question step up behind him. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She only gave birth to my brother last week. She sidles up beside him, knowing better than to touch him, the last time she tried that I thought he was going to kill her. Ma has something over my da, that’s the only reason he’s still with her. I know it deep in my bones. I’m going to figure out what it is and then we can eliminate it. My da’s had enough of Ma’s brand of bullshit to last him a lifetime, it’s time for him to cut her loose.
“Mal,” Ma says with a bright grin as she takes a step forwards.
Is she delusional? Doesn’t she remember the last conversation that we had?
I side step her as she reaches for me. Not going to fucking happen. I move towards Da, he’s got a smile on his face, but his gaze darts between me and Ma. This isn’t our usual greeting, usually, I’m the only one that puts up with her. Not anymore. I’m done with her.
“Son,” Da greets me as he pulls me into his arms. “You doing okay?”
I nod, “Yeah, but if you’ve got some time later, we need to talk.”
His eyes narrowing in on Ma who’s standing beside us.
“Of course, are you staying here? Your ma isn’t,” he tells me with a grin. No doubt Makenna put her foot down and said that she wasn’t welcome in her house.
“I’ve a hotel booked.” As much as I love my siblings and my aunt. We’d end up at each other's throats within twenty-four hours.
He nods, “You’ve seen him, you can leave now, Zoe.” Da’s tone brooks no arguments. He hates her.
She huffs, but turns on her heels and walks towards the waiting car. Not even saying goodbye to anyone. This is why she’s a bitch, she doesn’t care about anyone but herself.
“Your siblings aren’t here,” he tells me, “but we’ll all be going to dinner this evening.” His jaw clenches, “Including your ma.”
I had been told that she wouldn’t be. “Did she bring Gareth with her?”
Da’s lips thin, that alone tells me that she didn’t. Who the hell leaves a week old baby at home while she’s in New York? Selfish fucker.
“Makenna’s waiting to see you,” he says and I nod, anger still pulsing through my veins, but at least she’s gone. I have a few hours’ reprieve.
“I’ll stopby your hotel in two hours,” Da tells me as we leave the restaurant. “I’ve a meeting that I need to get to.”
“No worries, just stop by whenever you get a chance.”
He studies me, “I’ll want to hear all about her.”
Why the hell am I not surprised that he knows there’s a woman? “It’s a long, fucked-up story.”
He shrugs, “I have the time.” His car pulls up outside and he slaps me on the back. “See you in a while, Mal.”
Unlike the others I’m not lucky enough to escape before Ma exits the restaurant. The dinner was quiet and somber. Da had obviously warned her not to say a word and thankfully she didn’t. Holly was the only one of us that wasn’t present and I don’t blame her.
“Malcolm, I’m glad you’re still here.” She smiles broadly at me. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Ma, I’m not in the mood to listen to your bullshit.”
She gasps in fake outrage, “God, my children hate me.”
I roll my eyes, she’s so fucking dramatic. “Ma, you brought this on yourself. If you had been any sort of mother, none of us would hate you right now. But you’re you and as it is, not one person on this earth can stand you.”
“Whatever,” she huffs as she brushes her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I wanted to talk to you about what we spoke about at your brother’s wedding.”