Because it was time to thaw the iced-over ramparts.
“So, Liam tells me you two designed Darius’s house.It’sgorgeous,” I said to his sisters who were sitting opposite us in armchairs.
“It’s not like he gave us free reign.He picked everything.We just gave him choices.He’s got good taste.A real eye,” Danni replied.
“Well, of course.Obviously, he’d have the final decision,”I muttered.I drew in a breath and glanced at the doilies before saying toDorothea.“You know, all through the years, every time I saw a pretty doily, Ithought of you.”
“Too bad her thinking of Mom didn’t get her ass with her kidover to Mom’s house,” Danni said to Gabby in a loud whisper just as Liam camein with a bottle of Gatorade in his hand.
Gabby pulled anoh shitface.
Dorothea’s head jerked Danni’s way.
Liam’s brows shot together, so I knew he heard.
But I had other things to worry about.
Principal of which being the burning wall of fury that movedthrough the room from my left.
Everyone felt it, including Danni and Gabby, who lookedright to their brother.
Gabby had the good sense to quail.
Danni lifted her chin.
Darius’s voice was deceptively quiet when he asked, “Is mywoman’s business your business?”
“He’s our nephew and Mom’sgrandchild,” Dannisnapped.“And we didn’t meet him until he waseight, and even then,barely saw himat all.”
“I’ll repeat,” Darius said slowly.“Is my woman’s businessyour business?”
“It’s family business,” Danni retorted.“And I’m sorry.I’mnot down with this whole pretending everything is okay crap.We can’t sit onthis.We need to have it out.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’retalkin’about,” Darius clipped.
“I know she took your money and kept her son from hisfamily,” Danni returned then looked at me and commented snidely, “Nice dress,Malia.”
“Eyes to me,” Darius ordered.
Danni sneered at me.
“Eyes to me!” Darius roared.
Danni jumped.
Oh boy!
I stood and turned into him, putting a hand light on hisstomach.“Darius, let’s talk outside, baby.Okay?”
He didn’t take his attention from his sister.
And so, when he spoke, it was right to her.“You have thefuckin’ balls to sit therewearin’ the dress that themoney I made offmyback andsellin’mysoul got you the education and set you up in the business you can buy it, andyou talk shit to my woman about the money I gave her to keep her in a goodhouse and nice clothes while she’s raisingmy son?”
“Darius—” she tried.
“No, girl,” he bit.“You started this, answer me.You gotthose big a’ balls?”
Danni squared her shoulders but said nothing.
