Page 71 of Filthy Devil

That’s when Nash’s lips curve up into a smile, but it’s not just any smile. It’s a cat-ate-the-canary smile… it’s a predatory smile. And it’s so hot that I have to press my thighs together. Sucking in a breath, I hold it for a moment as I wait for this interaction to commence.

I know it’s going to get really ugly because nothing with my mother is cool, calm, or collected—it’s always ugly. She thrives off it, which I now understand is another reason why Andrea left.

“Says her man.”

You could hear a pin drop, then bounce a few times before it settles. That’s how quiet it is in here. But then something happens, and I watch in both shock and awe as my father speaks up.

He usually stays quiet, following the lead of anything and everything my mother says. If he ever disagrees with her, it’s done in private, because I’ve never heard it except for right now. At this moment, he speaks up.

“You wanted this. You wanted James to do as you wished or be on her own. She chose a life on her own, just like Andrea. You must let her live her life,” he says.

Instantly, my heart hurts for my father, but at the same time, this is the life he’s allowed, as much as I hate it for him, for Andrea, and for me. I also know that he hasn’t cared enough to truly speak out, not until now.

“I did not,” my mother grinds out. “I wanted no such thing. All I wanted was for James to have the life that she deserves, and this is not it.”

“That’s not true,” I speak up.

All three people shift their attention to me. Taking a step forward, I inhale a deep breath, then let it out slowly and continue to talk because I’m not going to allow my mother to shit on me or Nash.

“You wanted me to have the life that you wanted for me. I didn’t have a choice. It was your way or the highway. It’s always like that. And it was immature of me to walk away the way I did, but it was unfair of you to expect what you did out of me, too. I’m not going anywhere because I’m in love with Nash.”

She can’t speak. I know I’ve rendered her speechless again. But I don’t care. Walking past her, I make my way toward Nash’s side and slide my arm around his waist. “I’m happy,” I state.

“Then we will leave you to your life,” my father says.

She opens her mouth to protest, but my Nash cuts her off. “Andrea was a fine woman, as is James. It’s a testament to how they were raised. But you cannot control every aspect of someone’s life.”

“How old are you?” my mother asks, ignoring everything else that has been said.

Ignoring all the compliments that Nash gave her, ignoring his mention of Andrea. My heart breaks because she doesn’t get it. She never will, either, and she doesn’t care. Maybe my father does, but he’s already spoken up more than he ever has, and he chooses to become invisible and silent yet again.

“I’m old enough to know that you’re fucking up all over again.”

I halfway expect her head to spin around on her shoulders. The anger is clearly etched all over her face, but instead of saying anything, she jerks her chin in the air and looks down her nose toward me right before she narrows her eyes.

Okay.

“I’m happy here with Nash, and I’m not going anywhere,” I say.

“Then, once again, you’ve done nothing but disappoint me. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

Then she spins around and walks out of the house without another word. My gaze flicks to my father. He gives me a small smile, then he turns away and follows behind her. It doesn’t surprise me, but what does is the pang of sadness that wrenches in my stomach.

I shouldn’t be upset, but there is something extremely final about this moment. If I had any hope for a life with my parents in it, that dream is now over.

NASH

The Bishops arefull-on pieces of shit.

I’m not surprised that Vixen bounced as soon as she fucking could and that James was ready to sell her body and her soul to whoever would buy her. Those people would make anyone willing to do whatever the fuck to get away from them. Since James didn’t have a plan for the future, she felt as if she had no choice.

Pulling her closer to me, I dip my chin and find her gaze with my own. “You good?” I ask.

Her eyes meet mine. They’re watery, but the tears don’t fall. She gives me a small smile, her lips trembling as she does. “I’m okay,” she whispers.

Dipping my chin, I touch my lips to her forehead. “You’re not, but you will be.”

“I will?” she asks in a whisper.

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