Bitter Arrangement: Chapter 31

I drive over to Riley’s old house and park out front. She hesitates before getting out, frowning at the front door. “Does it feel strange now?” I ask her.

“It shouldn’t, but it does. I mean, how long have we been married? It feels like it’s been forever.”

“I know what you mean.”

“This was my home for a long time. I didn’t want to leave, and now I can’t imagine coming back.”

“It’s strange how fast life can change.” I push my door open and get out.

She follows, and we head inside together. “Brenden?” she calls out. I head into the kitchen to wait while she checks upstairs for her brother.

The house is in good shape. It’s slightly messy, but her father clearly did well for himself. I don’t know much about the man except that he’s well-respected in the McGrath organization. He’s got a reputation for ruthlessness on the streets, which makes a lot of sense.

“I’m not sure where he is.” Riley comes trudging down the steps, looking worried. “I thought he’d stick around the house for a while.”

“I’m sure he’s okay.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She takes out her phone and starts texting. “But I’m going to ask around anyway in case someone knows where he’s at.”

The back door opens as she sends out her messages. I’m on edge until her father trudges in through the mudroom and pauses to frown at us both. He glances at her, then at me, clearly surprised to see us. He’s got a bag of groceries under one arm.

“Not going to offer to help?” he says sharply to Riley.

She leaps up. “Sorry. I was just about to.” She hurries over and takes the bag from him. He frowns at her, looking hard and unhappy as she unpacks it.

She doesn’t even live here anymore, and she’s still doing his chores.

“What are you two doing here?” he asks, glancing at me. “Hope things are going well, Alexan.”

“Things are fine,” I say.

“We were just looking for Brenden,” Riley adds quickly. “Do you know where he is?”

“That boy comes and goes as he pleases.” Her father stomps over to the refrigerator and takes out a beer. He cracks it and sucks some down. “I hear he’s been spending more and more time over at that new pub they opened, what’s it called⁠—”

“The Hen and The Snare.” Riley looks at me and nods a little. “We should check it out.”

“Not even going to visit with your old man?” Her father looks at her with mild disgust. “Can’t say I’m surprised. You did your duty and got married, and now you’ve forgotten all about the people that raised you.”

“That isn’t true,” she says.

“It’s not? And how many times have you visited? But no, that’s alright, you have a husband and responsibilities in his house now. Just thought you wouldn’t abandon your father so quickly.”

She stares at him, clearly taken aback. Anger rushes through me. I turn to him, ready to put the bastard in his place, but Riley holds a hand out to stop me.

“I’ll do better,” she says, wilting slightly.

What the fuck? She’ll do better? She doesn’t owe this man a goddamn thing, not if he’s going to talk to her like that.

But her shoulders slump, and it’s like she’s sucking into herself before my eyes. Normally, she’s strong and outgoing, but what the fuck is this?

“Yeah, that’s what you always say.” He finishes off the beer and tosses the can in the sink. “Never happens, though. Good to see you, Alexan. Good luck with that one.” He gives Riley one more shake of his head before he walks off.

When he’s gone, I turn to her, but she just grabs my hand and pulls me away. I follow, not sure what the fuck that was, but she holds on tight enough that I can’t get away without yanking hard. It’s not until we’re in the car again that she finally turns to me.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Your dad treats you like shit.”

“I said it doesn’t matter.”

“Riley—”

“Stop, okay? I know it’s pathetic. I know I turn into this little weakling whenever he’s around, alright? It doesn’t feel good, but I can’t help it. He just makes me feel so fucking small.”

I reach out and put a hand on her knee. She wipes her face, and all I want to do is go back in that house so I can break her father’s fucking face into tiny little pieces.

Nobody makes my wife feel small. Not even her own fucking father.

Especially not her father.

“I’ll kill him for you,” I offer gently.

She smiles like I’m kidding. “Thanks, but that’d only make me feel guilty.”

“Then stand up to him. Don’t take that shit.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Try anyway. I’m here for you, baby. I’m on your side. Don’t let that man push you around.”

She leans back and stares at the roof of the car. “I know you’re right, okay? All my life I keep telling myself that I won’t take his crap anymore. But it never happens. If anyone else talked to me the way my father talks to me, I’d kick them in the freaking throat. But with him, it’s like I just take it and take it and keep letting him break me down. I hate myself for it. But I can’t change.”

“You can,” I whisper, reaching over to stroke her cheek with my thumb. I cross the distance between us and kiss her. “You’re strong. You can do so much more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let anyone talk to you like that.”

“I’ll try.” She smiles a little. “But I’ll probably just take my anger out on you.”

“Be my guest. It might be fun.”

She laughs and wipes her eyes. “Come on. Let’s head over to The Hen and see if we can find Brenden.”

I start driving, but inwardly, I’m seething with rage and passion. I hate seeing Riley like that. I fucking hate her father for how shitty he is to her too. And maybe she doesn’t want me to say anything to him⁠—

But the next time I see that, I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut.

Much less my hands to myself.