Page 120 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“Who are you to tell me I can’t be in my own brother’s house?”

I tried to reason with them. “Amelia, you aren’t supposed to be here either. You can’t have unsupervised contact with Elodie, and you’ve already violated that order once today.”

Her eyes were flat and vacant. It was eerie. “Don’t talk to me. You’re just one of Connor’s sluts he likes to fuck and throw away.” She looked around the kitchen.

My temper got the better of me. “You both need to watch your mouths in front of Elodie.”

Amelia’s eyes snapped to mine and she marched around the counter to face us, her high-heeled boots clicking on the tile. She stared at me for a few seconds, then slapped me hard across the face. Then she hit me again with a closed fist.

My head snapped to the side, and my vision blurred. The attack was so sudden, I just stood there for a second in shock.

Liquid slid out of my left nostril, and Elodie started screaming. I backed away and patted Elodie softly. I didn’t look down at her, hoping she couldn’t see my bloody nose.

“Shhh, sweetheart. I’m okay.” I pulled a dish towel off the stove handle and held it to my face. Blood slid down the back of my throat.

Noah smirked. “So now you’re freeloadingandfucking my rich brother, huh? Are you hoping he’ll marry you, and you won’t be a poor little whore anymore?”

“Elodie is right here.”

Amelia cocked her head and watched me curiously, her eyes skittering between Elodie and me. She scared me the most, and that was saying something.

“Where is Connor?” Noah demanded again.

“On his way home,” I lied.

“Don’t bullshit us. Did he dump you off to babysit so he could go fuck one of his puck bunnies?”

“You both need to leave. Elodie shouldn’t have to listen to this.”

Noah glanced down at Elodie, who stood shaking beside me. I instantly regretted bringing her up again.

Shifting in front of her, I tried to draw his attention away. “Aren’t you already on probation? I thought you were supposed to stay away from Connor. And his houses and workplace.” My hands were shaking and my face hurt, but the bleeding seemed to have slowed down.

Noah looked around the kitchen. “I just need to talk to Connor to explain what happened. Maybe tell him I’m sorry. He’ll forgive me. He always does because I’m his only family.” He didn’t sound contrite or sorry.

Elodie whimpered and wrapped her arm around my waist. I hugged her to me and turned away from them.

“Don’t hide my daughter from me!” Amelia screeched. “You made her not love me. You told her to not love me.” Amelia breathed heavily, her eyes darting around.

Noah turned to her and clenched his fists. “Shut the fuck up. You’re always screeching. It hurts my fucking ears.”

She turned her anger on him. “You’re a stupid, crackhead asshole. Don’t tell me to shut up, you whine all the time.”

“You fucking crazy bitch. I’ve had to put up with your ranting and screaming for months. Just shut your fucking mouth!”

I set the bloody dishtowel on the counter, then carefully stepped back with Elodie glued to my side. Neither of them glanced our way. They sounded like a crazy toxic married couple, standing nose to nose, screaming at each other.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go.”

I doubted Elodie could hear me over their screaming, but I tugged her hand and we quickly backed out of the kitchen together. Then I steered us to the front door, and when we ran outside I put the phone to my ear.

“Titus? Are you there?”

“You guys okay? Where the fuck are you?”

“We’re at Connor’s house. He’s not here, and Noah and Amelia walked in together a few minutes ago.” We ran toward the front gate. “One of them has his house codes.”

“Holy fuck. How did those two get together? I texted Connor to let him know what I heard. One of us needs to call the police.”

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