Page 13 of The Tangle of Awful

Even though Dad’s sudden domestic air perturbs me, I don’t let it be known. If he wants to pretend we’re a happy little family, then I’ll pretend. Aubrey will discover soon enough there’s nothing happy about this house.

“Aubrey is going to be living with us,” Dad states, shoulders stiffening as if he’s ready for a fight.

I shrug as I pick up my toast. “So?”

Dad deflates, exhaling a sharp breath of air. “And I want you to treat her with respect.”

“Does she deserve respect?” I snort out a laugh and cut my eyes her way. “Do you, leech?”

Her green eyes flash with a barely contained emotion—equal parts shame and fury.

What are you hiding, little sis?

“Spencer!” Dad growls. “Enough. If you can’t follow the goddamn rules, you can get out.” He points toward the front door, emphasizing his words. “I won’t allow it this time.”

This time.

But last time was okay?

I bore my gaze into Dad, not saying what’s on my mind but letting him feel the impact anyway.

He shifts on his feet and clears his throat. “You will be nice to your sister. That’s all I require from you. If not, you know where the door is.”

Aubrey, who’s been strangely quiet, finally pipes up, “I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

I roll my eyes as I tear through my breakfast. She’s playing the docile, innocent girl she once was, but we both know she came back with claws, jaded, and harder than before. I’ll soon peel back her layers and reveal just who she’s become.

“You’re no trouble at all, Love,” Dad croons. “You’re welcome here. This is your home.”

Politician Papa is here now, saying all the right things to make everyone hang on every word he says and every smile he directs their way. But I’ve seen the real Hugo Park. He’s a lot more like his disrespectful son than he realizes.

“Speaking of trouble,” I add in a cheerful tone, cutting my gaze to Aubrey. “My car got keyed yesterday.”

Aubrey freezes, fork poised at her luscious pink lips.

“What?” Dad crosses his arms over his chest, glowering down at us like we’re two children misbehaving. “Where?”

“Right here at home,” I say with a sneer. “What kind of ballsy asshole would come onto Park property and do such a thing?”

“Have you checked the cameras?” he demands, already grabbing for his phone to save the day.

I let Aubrey sweat it out for a beat before waving Dad’s efforts off. “Nothing. Wi-Fi was conveniently down. It’s fine. Pops is handling it.”

Her exhale of relief is barely audible, but I hear it.

Dad nods in approval. “Good. This campaign puts a target on our family’s back. Whoever would stoop to such childish levels should be punished.”

“I imagine they’ll get their punishment in due time,” I say coolly. “Don’t you think, little sis?”

Though it pains her to do so, she nods, smile tight. “Absolutely.”

Satisfied, I push my plate away and rise to my feet. “As much as I’m enjoying this chat, I have important errands to run.”

Dad flashes me a grateful smile. Gullible fucker.

Aubrey, on the other hand, eyes me warily. She knows the kind of man I am. Awful and vindictive. She also knows we’re not friends.

We’re enemies.

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