Page 82 of Two Wrongs

I raise an eyebrow. “It’s amazing what betrayal will do to a relationship.”

His eyes narrow. “The two of you seemed really cozy at that therapy session. Makes me wonder what else has changed since I’ve been gone.”

My fingers start tapping against my thigh. Wren could be home any minute, and I want Liam gone before she pulls in the driveway. Not because I care if he finds out, not right now at least, but because I don’t want her to have to deal with him. I want to text her to stay away, but I don’t see how I can do that with him scrutinizing me so closely.

“If you have something to say, spit it out.” What we’re doing might seem wrong, but it’s not even close to the bullshit he’s pulled.

Wren’s car has a little rattle I’ve been meaning to check out for a few days. It should be in perfect fucking condition considering the man she married works in a shop, but like most things concerning her, Liam didn’t pay a damn bit of attention.

I close my eyes when I hear the first hint of her car struggling down the road. She pulls up on the other side of my truck, a spot where she can’t see us.

She starts talking to me before she comes around the side of the car where she can see us. “I’m so freaking tired. Dolores had me running all over town. I’ve really got to find a way to block that doomsday preppers show from her tv. I swear she’s stocked up for the apocalypse now.”

“I did grab some stuff for us from the grocery store when she had me there buying dry goods in bulk. Dolores gave me a recipe and swears even I can’t ruin this.”

That countdown timer hanging above our heads is blaring now. We’re out of time and it’s racing towards an explosion. “Wren,” I choke on her name, “Liam is here.”

She steps around my truck, and immediately comes to stand next to me. I know it’s unconscious, but it’s a clear signal something has changed between us if she’s turning to me for protection.

Her hands are clasped in front of her, almost like she’s praying. “What are you doing out of rehab?”

Liam’s entire demeanor changes. I’m getting another glimpse at the man she’s been dealing with for far too long now, and I realize she’s terrified. Without thinking I put my arm around her and tuck her into my side.

The corner of his lip curls up in a sneer. “I wouldn’t give it to you, so you decided to give my dad a try, did you?”

She buries her face into my ribs, and clutches my shirt in her fists. I feel her take a couple of deep breaths before she lets go and steps back. Her shoulders roll back, and I watch her become a different woman. This version of her is a warrior. I’m proud, but sad because she shouldn’t have to be this brave with her own husband.

“You’re disgusting as usual. Why are you here?” There’s almost no emotion in her green eyes. They’re still beautiful, but cold and lifeless like polished sea glass.

Liam holds his arms out wide. “Me? Why am I at my own father’s house? The better question is why are you?”

Wren’s mouth opens and closes. She turns her face up to me, and I know she’s only holding back out of respect for me.

“Son,” I say to get his attention. “You need to leave.”

Wren sucks in a breath, and Liam laughs. “This is rich. You shuttle me off to rehab so you could what? Play house with my wife?”

She’s shaking her head. Her fists are clenched tight at her sides, and she’s practically vibrating with fury. “I’m not your wife. Not really.”

He lunges forward and grabs her arm before I even see him move. For a couple seconds I’m frozen in shock. I don’t know why his behavior keeps surprising me, but every time, he acts contrary to the man I raised him to be.

“For months you’ve been begging for my attention. Throwing yourself at me every time I came around. Aren’t you still thirsty for my cock? Come home with me and we can spend the rest of the day making up.”

“It’s too late for that. Let me go.” Wren’s heels dig into the ground as she tries to wrestle her arm out of his grip.

Finally, I snap out of it and grab his wrist, squeezing it until he lets her go. The momentum causes her to stumble backwards, but I’m too slow to grab her. She falls and catches most of her weight on her hands and rear, right into the rocks of my driveway.

I rush to her without delay. Gently, I turn over her hands and wince seeing her palms torn up with rocks embedded into her skin. “Oh, baby bird,” I sigh and try and wipe some rocks away.

Liam charges me, knocking me down, and forcing Wren to crawl backwards on her injured hands.

He’s on me before she’s even safely away. Liam swings his fists wildly, barely clipping the edge of my jaw. “You’re fucking my wife, aren’t you? What, are there not enough sluts in town for you to get your dick wet?”

I don’t reply to him, because I won’t talk about Wren in the same way he is. My silence pisses him off even more and he lands a better hit to my gut, knocking the air out of my lungs.

“Fucking say something,” he screams and punches me in the face, splitting my lip. The mouth fills with the taste of copper.

I put my hands up to prevent another blow to my face, but don’t otherwise try to defend myself. “Stop,” I say as calmly as I can. “Liam, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

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