“Oh, I’m sorry. I must’ve missed the part where I invited you into my home.”
“If you’d answer the phone when I call, then I wouldn’t have to resort to such drastic measures. I’m a busy man, Waverly.”
“Then by all means”––I waved my arm toward the door––“get out.”
“We have things to discuss. Family things.” His gaze swung to Shayne.
“She is my family.”
“She’s a cop,” he spat, like the word tasted bad on his tongue.
“So am I,” I yelled back.
“Everyone just calm down.” Shayne stood between us. “Say what you need to say, Senator. I’m not here in any official capacity.”
“This is why I never wanted kids.” He narrowed his eyes on me. “You’ve never appreciated what I’ve given you.”
“What exactly have you ever given me, besides grief?”
He sprung up off the couch; spittle flying from his mouth as he got in my face.
“You’re here, aren’t you?”
“No thanks to you.”
I was pushing it, I knew it, but I couldn’t stop. I’d had enough of his bullshit.
“It’s all your fault.”
“Find another scapegoat,Dad. Your criminal behavior is on you, not me. Get the hell out.”
I turned to show him the door, then I’d help the FBI nail his ass to the wall. How dare he?
“She’d still be alive if it weren’t for you.”
My body swayed like he’d landed a physical blow. Maybe he had. It sure felt like it. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. All I could do was listen while he ripped my world apart.
“They found the cancer when your mother was pregnant with you. I told her to have an abortion and get the treatment like the doctors wanted, but she wanted a baby. She wantedyouwhen all I wanted washer.”
Shayne grabbed my hand. Her hold was the only thing keeping me tethered as images of my mother swirled in my head. At the time, I was too young to understand how she deteriorated so quickly. Now I did. Her cancer wasn’t new, it had already been diagnosed.
“She’d be alive today if it weren’t for you. You owe me.”
“Fuck off, Senator. Waverly doesn’t owe youshit.”
“You can’t talk to me like that.”
“Funny. I just did.”
This wasn’t happening.
“Waverly.”
He grabbed my arm, spinning me around, and I just reacted. My fist swung out, connecting with the left side of his chin. His head snapped to the side and he stumbled back a few steps.
“Damn, Senator Mitchell.” Shayne shoved me behind her, taking a protective stance. “Are you okay? That was a hell of a fall you just took.”
“What?” He wiped a trickle of blood from his lip.
