Page 107 of The Banned Books Club

I guess we’ll see about that.

You have no idea what you’re doing.

Are you saying you’re going to make me sorry?

She knew the emoji would enrage him. The last thing a fragile ego could withstand was being laughed at.

Just you wait.

Until I’m asleep and can’t fight back? Is that the plan?

I’m not remotely scared of you.

“I hope that’s true,” she murmured. “Because then you’ll be much more likely to underestimate me, and that’s what I’m banking on.”

Does the woman you’ve been cheating with know what kind of man you really are?

She never got a response. But it wasn’t long after that Cece came out and sent Gia a self-conscious look while hurrying to her car.

Before she could get too far, Gia opened her door and stepped out to yell, “A woman doesn’t go into hiding with her kids without good reason, Cece—especially someone like my sister. Margot would never leave our dying mother unless she felt she had to. I hope you’re taking that into account as you get involved with this asshole,” she said, gesturing at the house.

Only then, when Cece lifted her face so that Gia could see it in the halo of the streetlight, did it become apparent that she was crying. “I just told him I don’t want to see him anymore. I’m done.” She craned her neck to check the front stoop and continued only when she knew he hadn’t followed her out. “He’s got an anger management problem. I think you need to be careful and leave him alone,” she added, the last of what she said coming in a rush before she got into her car and drove away.

A trickle of alarm ran down Gia’s spine. Her plan was working far better than she’d expected—almost too well. No doubt Sheldon would blame her for Cece’s defection, which would further stoke the fire of his rage.

She was about to get back into her car and leave. She’d done enough for one night, she told herself. But then he came out of the house with a rifle.

28

Cormac had guessed where he might find Gia. As soon as he turned the corner that led to Sheldon’s house, he saw her father’s vehicle parked at the curb and felt a measure of relief—until he noticed Sheldon standing on his front porchwith a rifle. In a panic, he pumped the gas pedal, which revved the engine and must’ve drawn Sheldon’s attention, because he lowered the gun.

Slamming on his brakes, Cormac skidded to a stop in the middle of the street next to Gia’s car. “What’s going on?” he shouted as he jumped out. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked Sheldon.

“Me?” Sheldon pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m just protecting my hearth and home. I have a legal right to do that.She’sthe one who’s causing a problem. She’s trespassing, has no right to be here.”

“I’m parked in the street!” Gia yelled. “You don’t own the street!”

Cormac motioned for Gia to get into her car. “Go home before you get hurt,” he said.

“I can park here,” she insisted. “He can’t do anything about it.”

“Gia, please. He’s got a gun. That’s enough.”

The light came on at the house next door, and the neighbor poked his head out. “What the hell? What’s all the yelling about? People are trying to sleep, for God’s sake, people who have to work in the morning. Do you want me to call the police?”

“Please do,” Gia said.

“Gia, you don’t want the police to perceiveyouas the problem,” Cormac said before raising his voice to speak to the neighbor. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve got it now.”

“Cormac, I want this over and done with,” she said. “I want my sister to be able to come home and see my mother. This prick is standing in the way of all of that.”

“We’ll figure it out, but nothing’s going to change tonight,” he said. “Please go.”

When she scrubbed her hands over her face, he wasn’t sure she’d cooperate, but eventually she nodded. “Okay, maybe I got a little carried away,” she admitted. But then, only a second later, she looked over at Sheldon and yelled, “See you tomorrow!”

“We’ll see each other sometime,” he responded. “That I can promise you.”

Cormac followed Gia home and parked behind her. “What was that all about?” he demanded as he got out. “Are you trying to get yourself shot?”

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