Page 108 of Diem

“I’d be careful, little one,” he rasps.

“Oh?” she sneers but finally I see her lower lip wobble.

“Yes. Oh. You fuck with me again and you’re going to regret it. C’mon, Maeve.”

Bemused, I watch him go, torn between Penny who’s nursing a head injury and my brother, who’s tone did not suggest I argue.

Finally, with a silent sigh, I follow, glancing back to find Diem looking after us with a frown while Penny stares at the ground.

When I pause, Diem says, “Go. I’ll take her home.”

Penny doesn’t twitch but I turn away because right now, I have to deal with Ollie. When we reach my car, he holds out his hand and I drop the keys into his palm with a sigh.

The ride home is quiet until we’re in the drive and Ollie says, “Stay away from her.”

“Why?”

He swivels his head and I dip my chin. What happened to my brother? He used to be so fucking funny and fun.

“Is this about Dad?” I whisper, flinching when he slams his fist against the wheel.

“Just do as I say,” he mutters, and I search his shuttered gaze. He’s so damn cold. Does he feel frozen inside? Does he feel at all?

Licking my lips, I drop my eyes to his chin and say, “And Diem?”

He clenches his jaw and I say quickly, “It’s because of you, isn’t it?”

“Me what?” he asks, pulling the key from the ignition.

“You’re the reason he’s been so awful.”

Laughing caustically, he says, “Diem does what he wants.”

But I saw the flicker of his eyes and the tic in his damn jaw is back. Asshole.

“Liar,” I hiss before throwing the door open and heading for the house. How could he? Diem tortured me for a year and Ollie stood by and did nothing.

I don’t even know how to process this shit and I have a lot to think about, but it’s derailed when my dad greets me at the stairs.

Gripping the railing, everything that happened earlier comes rushing back.

“Where were you?” he demands and I slide past him, mumbling, “Out.”

I’m still trying to come to terms with this new version of my dad and to say I’m uncomfortable would be an understatement.

Unfortunately, I don’t make it a step before he grabs my arm. I’m so fucking tired of being manhandled that I growl but he’s immune to my frustration as he says, “With Diem?”

Really?

“No dad,” I spit, pulling away. “What’s going on with Hailey?”

“Hailey?” His eyes turn to ice, and I step back, whispering, “Yes. Is she my sister?”

My dad gets mad. Lately, he’s even been weirdly angry, but I’ve never seen this particular look in his eyes and it’s freaking me out.

“Where did you hear that?” he barks.

Grabbing the banister, I spin and rush up the stairs, screaming, “You’re a skeevy prick.”

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