“It’s an insult to vultures.”
I know Zack didn’t invite her here. The last time they saw each other, she called him a zesty little f—--t. He hasn’t spoken to her since and I don’t blame him. She wasn’t even that drunk when she said it. She might be drunk now, which would explain dousing herself in perfume.
She stumbles back into her chair, just as drunk as I expected.
“I want to meet this wife,” my mother says. “Why are you so closed off about your love life? It’s bad enough I have to deal with your brother.”
Again, my brother doesn’t speak to her. She lives in her own little world, where the truth doesn’t exist.
“I don’t want you to meet her. That’s why I didn’t invite you to the wedding.”
My mother stops twirling her hair around her finger like a little girl trying to flirt with me. She doesn’t know how to have a regular conversation without trying to get her way. I try to ignore my mother’s sneering.
How the hell did my mother find out about Cullen? There must be a leak in this house and I’ll squash it immediately – as soon as I get her out of here.
“Are you giving me grandbabies at least?”
“I’d rather have a vasectomy than allow my children anywhere near you. How did you hear about my wife?”
“I read the news.” That can’t be true.
“Who’s the president?”
“What?” she squirms nervously and then adjusts her boobs uncomfortably. The smell of liquor finally breaks free from the Chanel No 5.
“If you read the news, you should be able to answer the question.”
My mother probably doesn’t even know that people don’t read newspapers anymore.
“The president right now is that black man – Bark O’Alabama.”
I stare at her dumb-founded. If my mother hadn’t married well, I don’t know what would have happened to her. Unfortunately, the queen of silicon has broken containment. I don’t bother correcting her about the president. I just want her out of here – along with the spy on my staff.
“You didn’t read about it in the news,” I respond calmly. “Someone told you.”
“Are you worried that she’ll be jealous of me?” my mother asks, completely misreading the situation in a way only a narcissist could. I don’t even want to think about my mother comparing herself to Cullen. I have human emotions for Cullen.
“No. Tell me who you have spying on me.”
“Why would I do that?” My mother smirks. She enjoys even the slightest hint that she has the upper hand.
“Because you want to make it out of here in something other than an urn.”
“I didn’t raise you to be so rude.”
I thought my mother was my older sister until I was four years old.
“You don’t need to worry about my wife,” I answer her. “It’s an arranged marriage purely for financial reasons and she means nothing to me.”
Chapter Sixteen
Cullen
I’m a few yards away from the door to Padraic’s office when I hear him talking to his mother. I don’t want the words to crush me but…
His voice sounds tense and angry. Furious, even. “You don’t need to worry about my wife, Padraic says. “It’s an arranged marriage purely for financial reasons and she means nothing to me.”
“You married a woman who means nothing to you?” A warbly accent with a harsh vocal fry carries throughout Padraic’s office. I pause in place. I want to hear what he says about me when he thinks I’m not around.