Page 20 of Obsessed Heir

Chapter Six

Barron

“What did we say about you not being an asshole?”

We’re barely out the door when Holly drops the pleasant smile and starts in on me in a sharp tone.

“There was nothing said about me not being an asshole in private.” I smirk, knowing I created the perfect loophole. Being home allows me the freedom to be myself without filters.

I work some breathing room for myself into every deal. She knows this too. Exploiting technicalities is what’s helped me along the way to becoming a billionaire in my own right.

Holly’s steps turn aggressive as we head to the elevator, signaling her rising irritation.

I prepare myself for the confrontation we’re about to have.

“Your mother didn’t say she didn’t have a child, Barron,” she snaps, keeping up with my pace without a problem.

I raise an eyebrow. “I was there,” I remind her, mouthing the words with exaggerated clarity.

Her eyes narrow. “She said Abby was the closest to a daughter she’ll ever have.” She turns on her heel, facing me as we arrive in front of the elevator. “Emphasis on daughter. Female. Girl child.”

Okay, she’s made her damn point. I slowly exhale through my nostrils. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

I didn’t ask for a surrogate sister thrust into my life.

“You made everyone in the room feel awkward, especially Abby.” Yes, the tension ramped up. I can’t deny that.

I mash my thumb on the call button. The elevator doors open at once.

“Abbycould do with feeling uncomfortable.” We step inside the mirrored car. “She’s the one who put my mother in a wheelchair, remember?”

Holly swipes her access card and punches the button. She turns to face me, her eyebrows knit together in consternation. “I thought your mom stepped on something and twisted her ankle.”

“It was Abigail’s backpack.” I scoff at the innocent scenario she painted. “Neither she nor the backpack should have been at the port today.”

“Really.” Holly juts her hip out, sliding back to the annoyed expression she adopted for this conversation. “And what, Abby threw the backpack at her? Or how exactly did you envision this happening?”

I clench my jaw, fed up with her meddling. Mostly because she’s not entirely wrong. From what I heard, my ever-distracted mother stepped on the strap, destabilizing her heel and leading to the fall.

Yes, it could have been because of anyone’s belongings, but it was Abigail’s.

“Abigail came here to look after my mother, and this happened because of her.” If the driver hadn’t reacted so fast, Mother could have ended up sprawled on the pavement.

Holly scrunches her face, doubtful. “Do you think she did it on purpose?”

On purpose? No…but isn’t it enough that the girl shouldn’t even be here? That Mother agreed she would be gone by now? Yet, not two minutes ago, Abigail was settling into the suite with her, as if nothing had changed.

Again, I wonder why she’s still lingering. Is she afraid to be on her own? Or is she worried about what Mother might say when she’s not around? If so, why? Does she think I’ll learn some deep, dark secret that would shatter that schoolgirl image?

To top things off, James is all but drooling over Abigail.

I’ll be taking care of you personally, night and day.

I grit my teeth.The hell he will.The mere thought of his lecherous gaze on her makes my shoulder muscles knot with tension.

“Well?” Holly’s impatient tone pulls me into the present.

What was her question?I got sidetracked on a tangent and lost my train of thought. Damn it, I know better than to get distracted. Especially when Holly’s involved. However, as soon as someone mentions Abigail, I lose focus.

---