Sinner drops his silverware, and it clangs off the table. “Show your mother some respect.”
“I’ll show her respect when she’s earned it.”
Mom smiles, ignoring my comment and pretending the tension isn’t so thick you’d need a snowplow to cut through it. “Neo and I are looking at wedding venues out of town this weekend. We thought you and Saint might like to come with us?”
What freaking planet does my mother live on that she thought I’d ever be down for that?
“That sounds fun, but, unfortunately, Harlow and I will be indisposed this weekend,” Saint says. “She’s helping us with some stuff.”
I am?That’s news to me. All week, we’ve been keeping our distance. Even Theo hasn’t tried to come near me since he kissed me.
Mom’s brow creases, and she glances at Neo briefly before asking Saint, “What stuff?”
I jump in with a reply before he can answer. “Our fans are begging us for ‘Harlow fucks the Saints part two.’” I shrug, enjoying making Mom squirm. “We thought we’d get started on that.” I smile sweetly at her, and I hope guilt is eating her up on the inside.
“Harlow.” Saint’s voice is low and deep, and how he manages to instill such warning with one word is true talent. “She’s joking,” Saint assures a pale-faced Giana. “We’re working on school stuff,” he lies, slanting her his best “butter doesn’t melt” expression.
And, of course, Mom falls for it, because it seems she’s just that gullible.
The guys are always on their best behavior around her. Smiling. Complimenting her. Never cussing and always mannerly.
And she falls for it every time.
It’s like she’s erased that part of her brain that knows they were the guys I had a foursome with. The ones who recorded it and helped broadcast it around the web. Even when I taunt her with that, she immediately dismisses it.
Honestly, it has to be seen to be believed.
“That’s too bad,” she says. “But I’m so happy Harlow is helping you out. She’s always been a steady A student.” She beams proudly at me, and I genuinely wonder if she’s been lobotomized. “And it’s great she’s willing to help her new stepbrother.” She pats me on the shoulder, and I almost choke on the chicken in my mouth. “I’m glad everyone’s getting along.”
Man. I’ve definitely wandered into some alternate realm.
_______________
The guys enjoybelittling Mom behind her back when I join them in the basement later on. Mom and Neo have gone out, and Saint demanded my presence. I wanted to stay in my room and go through the files Diesel sent me earlier, but I need to get my head back in the game. Especially now that jerk Dar has thrown a new wrench in my plans.
Perhaps I should’ve gone to Diesel for the IDs, but for some inexplicable reason, my gut tells me I’m right to keep my escape plans hidden from him.
The guys are all freshly showered, so I guess they were working out in the gym. Dad built a pretty decent one down here in the enclosed space behind us. I usually work out every couple of days, but not so much since the guys moved in and invaded the territory. Now I’m no longer purposely avoiding them, I can start using it again.
“You obviously got your smarts from your dad,” Caz says, patting my thigh as we sit side by side on one of the couches.
“Giana is smart too,” Theo replies. “Dad hired her to run this big advertising campaign one time, and he was delighted with the response.”
Mom’s professional alliance with Mr. Smith’s multimillion-dollar medical supplies company ended the same time my fake relationship with Theo did.
“She seems to have nuked all brain cells since my dad died.”
Caz passes me the blunt, and I take it, inhaling deeply, before passing it to Galen on my other side. He’s been sullen and quiet all night, and I still can’t figure him out.
“She loves my dad,” Saint says, swigging from a bottle of JD. “Why would you begrudge your mother happiness?”
“Because my father is barely cold in his grave and she’s already planning her new wedding,” I snap. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand. You don’t even know who your mother is!” It’s a low blow, and I know it, but I’m sick of him pushing my buttons.
“Get over here now.” He uses that low, gruff emotionless tone, the one that sends equal tremors of fear and lust shooting up my spine, and drenches my panties, every time.
“Fuck off.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Saint angles his head at Caz, silently communicating with one look. Caz sweeps me up, depositing me on Saint’s lap before I’ve had the time to protest.
