Page 106 of Lyrical

Argh. “Yes, you’re right. This is the last thing I should be doing right now. I’m exhausted, and my head is already muddy enough. I don’t need to contaminate it further with thoughts of her. But you better believe that as soon as she gets back from New York, my foot will be up her ass so deep she’ll—”

“Uh, Jills?” She clenched onto me tighter, her nails digging into my skin. “You know those super-hot fuck-me stilettos you have but never wear, with the sharp toe? You might want to go dig them out now.”

I followed her gaze out the big bay window. Walking up my driveway was a pair of cloven hooves. I couldn’t see the pointy tail but knew sure as fuck it was there sticking out of her innocent little floral skirt.

She was smiling and holding a gift.Smiling.Holding aGift. I. Could. Not. Even.

That’s when I knew beyond all doubt we were dealing with a true psychopath.

Perry was already at the door. I grabbed hold of her arm and tugged her back. “No, I need to deal with this. Alone.”

“Jills, I’m not going to let her get away with this fucked-up shit. She’s already hurt you. She’s messing with my family big time and—”

“I’ll be fine, and you’ll get your turn. I promise. I….” I was just fucking blown away by her audacity; there were no words. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. The fact that she’s here at all?” I shook my head. Fucking insane. “I’ll have to figure it out as I go, but I need to be the one to do it. Please just join the guests for your party. I have to get out there and stop her before she gets to the door.”

Perry stared into my eyes, assessing me, before nodding and turning to the hallway that led into the main house.

I darted out my side office door, cutting Cassie off at the pass just before she got up to the front porch. The shower hadn’t officially started yet; the guests were still arriving, and my mom was graciously welcoming them while Perry and I chatted. I wouldn’t let Cassie fool my sweet mom with her sick smile. And I wouldn’t subject her to whatever shit was going to go down.

“Jillian?” Cassie squinted at me closer. “Is that you?”

“You know damn well it’s me.” I grabbed her by the elbow, steering her back down the front steps and around to the other side of the house where we’d have more privacy.

“I’m sorry, did that upset you? Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s just that you look kinda dreadful. I worry about you. I really hope you’re not coming down with whatever Perry had.” I dug into her harder. “Ow! What’s the matter? And where are we going?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed softly. She was acting like she didn’t have a clue about anything. Shocked even. It took a hell of a lot of restraint to hold back from giving her brick imprints to the back of the head.

“Jillian, I don’t understand. Just tell me what’s wrong. Did you and Chase have a fight? I’m here for you, sweetie. I already told you I can be your shoulder if Perry’s not around.”

My mouth dropped so low I was munching on grass. I could work with bitch, but I did not know how to work with delusional, sociopathic mindfuck. My new main objective: Get Daniel far, far away from her, even if I had to send him back to Italy.

“What do you think you’re doing here, Cassie?”

“Why, coming to the shower, of course.” She scrunched up her face. “You’re acting strangely.”

I noticed another car pull up and I yanked her closer to the house, her arm scraping against the rough brick. I couldn’t be as loud as I wanted, but I could avoid the guests spotting us. She rubbed her red skin and gave me that bewildered ‘how could you do that to me’ expression. Either she was going to bust out her inner demon soon, or she was going to drive me so far out of my mind that I’d be drooling all over myself. Since straitjackets were not a good look for me, I was going to make fucking sure that it’d be the former choice.

“Strangely? You think? Maybe it was the strippers you set up to molest me.”

“Oh, Jillian. You’re so funny. Molesting you. I told you it was an accident. They were barely in your room.”

“Obviously long enough to take a picture.”

A look crossed over her face. Did she not think I knew about that yet? “That silly thing?” She waved her hand, laughing. “That was just a joke.”

“A joke? A fuckingjoke?”

She blinked her wide eyes. “Well, of course. What else would it be? A fun, silly little memory. Something we can laugh about later.” Her face turned somber, and she brought her hand to her mouth. “Oh, dear. I hope I didn’t cause any problems. I’ll make sure to clear it up with Chase this week.”

“Chase and I are just fine. No worries there.”

“Whew.” She swiped her hand over her forehead. “That’s a relief.”

“But do you know who’s not fine, Cassie? You and Daniel.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t know what the fuck game you’re playing, but it’s finished. Do you hear me? I’m not going to stand by any longer and let my son get run over by some manipulative bitch. You’re out of his life now. I’ll make sure of it.”

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