I clap my hands. “Alright then. So,” I wave my hand around the home, “it’s a nice home isn’t it? Even in a decent neighborhood.”
The sound of the knife hitting the cutting board echoes throughout the kitchen. And I just know Oak wants to slam that knife down on flesh instead of wood.
“Anything is certainly better than where you were before,” he says and I feel myself shrinking inside.
He didn’t compliment the house.
What does that mean for me? Is it not good enough for him. If it’s not does that mean I won’t gain custody of Connor?
“Still working at Fantasy I see,” he says. And there it is again. Every time he brings up my work at Fantasy he makes me feel dirty and cheap.
I keep my tone upbeat to cover up the dread I feel in the pit of my stomach. “Until I get a call back.”
“When you told me you would find a way to become more financially stable for Connor I didn’t think you would actually become a stripper there.” He might as well have shot twelve rounds in my chest.
I cut a glance at Oak who has a death grip on the handle of the knife as he has a murderous gaze on Steven.
And right now he’s talking himself out of slicing his throat.
“I didn’t tell you about that,” I say to him calmly when I feel anything but.
“I thought I would check up on you at work and see how the job applications were going,” he says simply. That’s such utter bullshit. “Imagine my surprise when I saw you on stage. You really do have beautiful assets, Grace.” As he says assets his eyes land on my breasts and it’s then I realize I didn’t put on a bra. With the morning light he can see right through my lilac cardigan.
I immediately feel disgusted. My stomach churns and I stop myself from wanting to gag.
“Her eyes are on her face you perverted fuck,” Oak’s voice is sharp like a blade.
I fold my arms over my chest and gravitate towards Oak.
Steven watches my movements like I’m his very own test subject. Seeing how I’ll react and predicting what I’ll do next.
It’s unnerving.
I stand beside Oak across the island from Steven. And it’s not enough distance for me.
But as I stand beside Oak I already begin to feel his strength bleeding into my own. Behind the island where Steven can’t see I interlock my hand with his. I just need his touch right now to keep me steady.
“Maybe next time wear something with more coverage if you don’t want me to look.”
The absolute worst fucking thing to say.
Oak leans across the island as he stares at him menacingly. I can tell Oak is hanging on by a frayed thread. The muscles in his neck are strained and his back is rigid. His voice is lethal as he says through clenched teeth, “She could be naked in front of you and that still gives you no fucking right to look.”
Steven swallows thickly but doesn’t take a step backwards. He does, however, stiffen and I can see the fear laced in his eyes. He fiddles with those damn titanium cuff links that bare his initials.
Then ever so bravely he replies smartly, “So, I can only look if I throw her money?”
That has me seething and Oak blistering cold. His hand tightens around mine tightly to the point I fear I’ll lose circulation. But it’s better than him grabbing that knife and plunging it through Steven’s skull.
“All the money in the world and you’ll never fucking see her. Now show her the god dammed respect she fucking deserves.”
He scoffs. “Her position as a stripper isn’t a suitable job. As far as I’m concerned as long as she is one she will never gain custody of Connor.”
“Exactly what kind of motherfucking power trip are you on?” Oak questions him in a deadly tone. “Did your mother not pay enough attention to you when you were young? Did dad yell at you too much? Or did the kids at school constantly make fun of your ass and now that you have a sense of power you can’t help but fucking abuse it.”
“Oak,” I say his name in warning but it’s one he doesn’t heed.
Meanwhile Steven stands across from us seething with daggers in his eyes.
