Page 212 of Push

“Tobias—I—” My mother’s eyes darted over my shoulder. Was she looking for Gwen? Was she hoping to weasel her way back into my life when she thought I was at my lowest? “May I come in?”

I folded my arms and leaned my shoulder against the doorway. “Nope.”

Her mouth formed in silent“Oh.”She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Did you hear the news?”

“Inflation’s up, the market’s down… Yeah…”

Her perfectly pruned eyebrows furrowed. “I meant about—”

“I know what you meant.”

“Such a tragedy,” my mother murmured.

My hand already gripped the door, ready to slam it in her face.

“Tobias!”

The shock of the images flashing on the news hurtled into me again. I steadied the shake in my hand by clutching the door tighter.

“Fuck you!” I shouted.“Tragedy?You hated Ian! You did everything you could to make sure you stayed the queen damn bee and lorded it over his mother for his whole fucked-up life!”

“I was protecting you and Tanya!”

“Bull-fucking-shit! You were protecting yourself! You never loved Dad. You loved his money!” My voice choked because I didn’t want to revisit Liam’s storytime at the club, but the tears sprang back to my eyes. “Christ, do you have any idea how Dad earned all our money?” He was a fucking monster.

My mother’s gaze disappeared to the neighbor’s yard. Fresh rage swelled in my chest.

“You fuckingknew!”I spat at her. “And you didnothing!My father—” I shook my head. “Nah, fuck him. He was no father.”

“Tobias, this is the grief talking. This isn’t you.”

My mother was probably right. I wasn’t sure I’d ever cursed so much in my life. The universe owed her a swift kick up the rear end, but I owed her nothing. She’d never been there for me. I couldn’t even remember the last time she’d hugged me. I was a trophy, nothing but another trinket she’d collected over theyears to parade around for the ladies at the yacht club—when it suited her.

“You may be right, Mother dearest.” I bowed. “Like the gallant knight I am—”

“Oh, Tobias.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you always have to act so ridiculous?”

I ignored her and continued with my theatrics. It was the only way to prevent my fists from pounding the walls. Howdareshe?

“I vow to avenge every person my father ever did dirty. The list is long, Mother, so please ensure you make alternative arrangements for your living quarters henceforth.” I smiled sweetly at her. “For I, Sir Toby, will not rest until I’ve found a way to donate everything in that godforsaken trust and made sure you don’t see another dollar for the rest of your pathetic life!” I leaned through the doorway, my lips twisted, my voice colder than even Liam could muster. “And if you think I’m kidding, just try me, you evil bitch.”

My mother gasped, stumbling backward.

“Now, Mother, kindly fuck the hell off my front doorstep.”

I slammed the door in her face.

I spun on my heel to find Gwen staring at me with her eyebrows popped up and her jaw on the floor.

“Uh, yeah…” I cringed a little. “So, how much of that did you hear, doll?”

“I’m pretty sure everyone in the neighborhood heardallof it.” Gwen gave me a crooked smile and sauntered closer. “You know,” she said, wrapping her arms around my waist, “we’ll probably have to move after this.”

“Hey, if our neighbors can survive your revenge yard sale, all the bullshit with Kayleigh and Ian, and having a mafia boss’s kid permanently parked outside on surveillance, what’s a bit of swearing?”

“A bit?” Gwen laughed. “My gallant knight certainly does have a wicked tongue.”

“Yes, he does.” I grinned down at her. “Should I prove to you for the second time today just how wicked my tongue can be?”

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