Page 66 of Falling for Red
“No.”
This hypocritical bullshit. Gabby has met so many women whose names I don’t even know and will never know. The precedent has long been set–by him.
“So, thereisa guy here?”
I take a steady breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “Gabby, can you play in the living room while your dad and I talk?”
She skips away, and the second she’s out of earshot, I turn to him. “Samuel, don’t be a dick.”
“Always the victim.”
My fists clench and I bite back,Always the gaslighter.
“Why were you texting me if you have a guy?”
I scoff, stunned. “You think me asking how my daughter was doing was meflirtingwith you?”
The familiar cocky expression crossing his face makes me want to scream.
“Is he hiding in your bedroom?”
Frustration boils, and I manage, “Please leave.”
“I’m not leaving until I know who is in this house.”
“It’s not your right to know.”
“My daughter is here, and I pay the rent. It is my right.” He steps farther into the home.
“Leave!” I yell.
Samuel doesn’t turn away. He pushes past me, dropping the flowers onto the kitchen island. My body stiffens as he walks down the hall.
Jake emerges from my room, dressed. Thank God. Samuel stops and shakes his head before he looks back at me muttering, “Puta.”
Fucking hypocrite.
“Háblale con más respeto en su casa,” Jake says, and I blink hearing him tell Samuel to speak to me with more respect in Spanish. There is too much going on to process that Jake seems to know Spanish.
“Micasa.”
I groan. Samuel is being a fucking asshole. “You need to leave,” I assert, hoping this testosterone-laced tension doesn’t boil over.
The last fucking thing I need today is them throwing fists. They silently stare at each other for a few seconds until Samuel turns and walks past me. He stops in the living room doorway.
“Gabby, hug,” he calls, bending down to scoop her into his arms. Then, he looks directly at me.“Do you want to spend more time in Chicago?” he asks her.
“Yeah!” She squeezes him.
His gaze stays on me. “I want you to spend more time with me.”
I hate him, and all of the implications that can be drawn from his words. I’m on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by everything going on. When the door shuts, Jake is behind me, grabbing for my hand. I pull away.
“You need to leave too,” I snap.
“Claire …”
“Leave.”
