Page 99 of Misery and Ecstasy

Even if he does look like he’s sweating bullets in his expensive, button up shirt.

“Same to you. I understand how important the bond between a parent and a child can be. I want you both to continue to have that with McKinsey.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Hands on her hips, Cheryl ignores my attempt to make this moment go as smoothly as possible. “You’ve been the one keeping her from us. We should have been told what’s going on from the start. She should be home with herrealfamily, not in this…” She looks at the house scathingly. “What is this? A log cabin out in the middle of nowhere?”

McKinsey has mentioned Alexander’s money before. I have no idea what their house looks like—I’m sure it’s larger than this one—but the clubhouse certainly isn’t squalor.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I challenge her.

The urge to smoke hasneverbeen as strong as it is right fucking now. Pulling the nicotine gum out of my back pocket, I pop one into my mouth.

“I don’t need to know you in order to form an opinion. You don’t know what my daughter needs. And one look at you is enough for me to know you’re not good enough for her?—”

“Cheryl, enough.” Olivia interrupts her.

“No, it’s okay.” I put my hand up, acknowledging Olivia but keeping my eyes on Cheryl. “You’re absolutely right. I’m not good enough for her. She deserves the fucking moon and every goddamn star in the night sky, and I’ll never be able to give her that.”

I take a slow, dangerous step closer to Cheryl and Alexander.

“And you’re entitled to form whatever opinion you’d like to. It won’t matter one bit to me whether it’s good or bad. The only opinion I care about is your daughter’s. But what matters more to me than her opinion is her health and wellbeing.”

Standing almost on top of Cheryl, I look down my nose at her.

“And if your presence here is a danger to either of those things, I will personally and gladly escort you from the premises. You can choose to be here forherat this time, to stay in her house atmyrequest, so you can be closer to her.”

I look briefly from Cheryl to Alexander then back.

“Or you can go home and worry about whether or not you’ll ever see your daughteraliveagain. She could have months left or days. You can either spend her remaining time here with her or you can say your final goodbyes today. It’s your choice.”

Cheryl balks, underestimating the ease at which I will drag her from my property.

“I can assure you, there won’t be an issue with the terms you’ve set.” Alexander places a hand on Cheryl’s shoulder as she lets out an exasperated sigh.

She looks between us with indignation, like she knows she’s now under our watch and hates the very idea of it.

Yes, I see alotof McKinsey in her mother.

“Then welcome to our home. I’ll show you in.”

My eyes meet Olivia’s as I turn back toward the house. She’s squeezing her lips together as though trying to keep them from breaking into a smile.

I hold the door open for Kins’s parents and watch as Cheryl steps over the far edge of the threshold, keeping her body as far away from me as possible.

The group of us is quiet as we enter, the only sound coming from an old episode ofFriendson the TV.

As I turn the corner, McKinsey’s eyes find mine. They’re relaxed until she sees her mother and Alexander enter the room. Then they grow wide, and her jaw clenches as she takes in the sight of her parents. She looks like she’s about to argue, but whatever emotion she’s feeling is cut off by her mother as she scoots quickly past me and drops onto the sofa.

Cheryl hugs McKinsey tightly to her chest, causing her to wince at the contact. Fury rolls through me, but I force my feet to remain in place instead of leading me over to the two of them and ripping her mother off of her.

“Cheryl, I know your daughter is a badass, but you need to be more delicate with her.” Kins looks between me and Olivia over her mother’s shoulder.

For a second, she appears angry. But her hard features quickly soften a little, revealing relief before tears spring in her eyes.

“Oh, McKinsey…” Cheryl sobs. “I’m so sorry.”

I walk into the kitchen to give them a little privacy, and Olivia follows me. I pop another piece of gum into my mouth, craving the hit of nicotine it will give me.

“I think Mck’s glad her mom is here. I know she was stressed over figuring out how to tell her.” Olivia leans against the counter next to me as we keep an eye on McKinsey.

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