Page 192 of The Perfect Wrong

I turn, squeeze Delia tight, and cradle her to my chest.

All the pain and shock inside her comes ripping out.

My eyes search hers with an apology.

Baby, I’m so fucking sorry.

I push my fingers through her hair, stroking her brow, forming a human wall between the psycho hellbent on ruining us.

“So that’s it? Switch on the waterworks and hope I’ll change my mind? Pathetic. Pathetic and so typical. You’ve got about—hmmm...” Evie pauses like she’s checking the time. “Three hours until Bruce gets home. Better start packing. I’d get the hell out while you can, boy. I’d tell you to bring the girlfriend, but something tells me there isn’t room for her wherever you’re going.”

My hand forms a fist.

I hate that she fucking knows I’m cornered, even if she’s clueless about my cartel dilemma.

Bringing Delia anywhere else isn’t an option while I’m a marked man.

“Never mind the poor dear being a fish out of water without her creature comforts,” Evie continues. “Somehow, I don’t think she’s ready to be without her father’s riches and no man. She knows it’s just a matter of time until you leave her high and dry and—”

“Evangeline...Shut. Up!” Delia peels herself away from me as the words come tearing out of her.

Before I can stop her, she surges forward, puts her hands on my mother’s shoulders, and pushes her so hard she rocks back.

“Why are you such a bitter, contrary piece of crap? Seriously? Is it because you can’t stay sober or were you just a shitty personbeforeyou ever snorted your first hit?”

Oh, fuck.

I’ve never seen Delia like this, and I’m reminded she’s in no state to handle my lunatic mother properly.

I’m ready to throw myself between them, expecting Ma to fight back, probably with punches.

Instead, she just straightens herself primly and smooths down her skirt, wearing the same freakishly calm smile on her lips.

Sonofabitch.

I wonder what’s in her system right now that gives her this cruel, otherworldly focus.

“Dearies, I haven’t had so much as a few drinks since leaving rehab. I’m completely sober. That’s what’s so amazing about this—for the first time inyears,I see clearly. And I can see how insane and disgraceful this—thisthingbetween you is. You’re both confused. Someone has to put a stop to it. It’s taken me a long time to save myself, and now I’ll save my family too.”

It’s so goddamned eye-rolling I almost go blind.

So, she’s in her lying, manic phase today, up on her high horse, ready to lop off everybody else’s heads to feed her insatiable ego.

“Oh, and Cordelia, if you ever put your hands on me again, Christopher won’t be the only one calling the cops,” she says with a cruel smirk. “I thought you were a nice girl, but you don’t know when to quit, do you? Haven’t you done enough damage by fucking your own stepbrotheranddestroying your father’s fragile psyche? Do you really want to make him pick you up from jail, too?”

Delia looks like she’ll explode.

Goddamn.

I need to shut this demon up before she baits us into her trap.

“Jesus, just...just get out of our way,” Delia snarls, jolting several paces ahead, stopping just short of Evie in the hall.

“What’s the matter? The basement was perfectly fine while you were defiling our wine cellar,” Evie snaps.

“Move, Mother. I won’t ask again,” I bite off.

“Then knock me over, Christopher. Break a rib. I know you’ll try to get in touch with Bruce and twist his righteous anger into supporting your sick little fling. I’ll make sure you never get the chance.”

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