Page 113 of Mad As Hell

“Where’s my father?” Ryan asked, his indifferent tone at odds with the gentle way he held my hand.

“In his study. Can I get either of you anything?” The man looked bored out of his mind as he spoke. The bushy white mustache over his lip twitched as his small brown eyes studied us.

“No, Thomas,” Ryan said with a shake of his head, dismissing him.

“Very well, sir. Lunch will begin at half past one. We’re waiting on Mr. Cabot. His plane was delayed.”

My spine stiffened. I hadn’t spoken to him since the night Adam had paid me a visit, and I wasn’t looking forward to our reunion.

Ryan’s hand tightened around mine, like he knew the wave of anxiety roiling through my stomach was sending me into freak out territory.. “Where’s my sister?”

Before he could barely finish the question, a shrill squeal rang out from the top of the curved staircase. Shoes clomped down the steps at a rapid pace as Cori practically tripped over her feet trying to get to her brother. I managed to step away before the tiny blonde tornado threw herself into his waiting arms.

I smiled, watching them reunited.

“You’re here!” Cori cried, her voice echoing in the vast space.

“Hey, kiddo,” Ryan greeted, the affection in his voice making my insides gooey.

But that was shattered a second later when an annoyed voice bellowed, “What the fuck is that racket?” A door down the hall slammed open and Beckett stormed into the hallway.

Corinne cringed, letting go of Ryan and ducking her head as her brother maneuvered her behind him. I reached for her hand, feeling the need to shield her as her father glared like she was the root of every problem he’d ever had.

Not even my drugged-out Mom in her coke-induced rage blackouts looked at me with as much hate and contempt as Beckett did his daughter.

“She was just saying hi.” Ryan cut off his father coldly.

Beckett didn’t spare his son a look. He was still focused on Cori, who was trembling beside me. “What have I told you?”

“To be quiet when you’re working,” Cori replied in a teeny tiny voice that wobbled with fear. She pressed harder against my side.

“Why is that so difficult for you to understand?” he went on, a vein popping out in his neck. “How stupid can you be?”

“Enough!” Ryan barked, his hands balled into fists at his sides. I tugged Corinne back in case things turned violent.

Honestly? I was kind of hoping Ryan decked his dad. I’d probably even use these pointy as hell shoes to land a kidney shot while he was on the ground.

“I’m sorry,” Corinne whispered, tears rolling down her pale cheeks.

“Yes, you are,” Beckett sneered before turning away from her in disgust. He turned his ire on Ryan. “Don’t tell me how to handle my daughter.”

“Maybe when you act like a father, I won’t give you shit about the way you treat her,” Ryan snarled in return.

Still seething, Beckett turned his cold blue eyes to me. His lip curled. “Well, if it isn’t the little whore.”

It’s not like I’d anticipated Beckett would roll out the welcome mat for me, but seriously? Ryan stepped forward and shoved his father back a step. “Watch yourself, old man.”

Beckett laughed, the caustic sound bouncing around. “Seriously? You’re that pussy whipped already by a tight—”

“It’s vital to you keeping all your goddamn teeth that you don’t finish that sentence,” Ryan spat, his shoulders rising with heavy breaths.

I shot Beckett a glare with as much hate as I could channel and then turned to Cori, smoothing out my expression. “Hey, why don’t we go upstairs?” I suggested, wanting to get this sweet little girl as far away from her douchenozzle dad as possible.

She gave a hesitant smile, and I caught Ryan’s eye. He gave a subtle nod of approval, and I hurried Corinne upstairs. The shouting began anew before we were halfway up.

I’d been in Corinne’s room only one other time, so I let her lead the way and made sure I closed the door tight after we were inside. But then I froze, my puzzled gaze taking in everything I was seeing.

Or wasn’t seeing.

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