Page 94 of Bitter Arrangement
I take several calming breaths. If I had known that the woman I’d fall for would be so damn impulsive, I would’ve learned meditation or something. Because I’m pretty sure she’s going to give me a heart attack.
“Mantis isgood,” I say, stressing the word. “They’re extremely adept at what they do. Which means you could be followed and never know it. Which means they could know where Brenden’s staying.”
“I thought we were worried about Los Sombras?” she asks, glancing over at her brother. He shakes his head, exasperated.
“We’re worried about everyone!” I say, throwing up my hands. “That’s the problem. You have to be more careful.”
“My brother’s all alone in this stupid empty apartment. He’s half dead?—”
“I’m not that bad,” he says, scratching the back of his head.
She looks at him like she wants to kick him in the teeth.“My brother is half dead,” she says through her teeth. “I can’t just leave him alone.”
“You’re going to have to.” I wave a hand at him. “Say goodbye. You’ll see each other again soon.”
She crosses her arms. “That’s not going to work for me.”
Brenden sighs. “Don’t get all stubborn now, Riles.”
“You hear this, right? Myhusbandlaying down the law?”
“He’s not wrong.”
“Thank you,” I say to her brother. “We have rules for a reason. You need to follow them if we’re going to live through this.”
Riley’s jaw works, but she finally nods. I can tell it’s hard for her. “Fine, alright? I screwed up. I can see that now. Just don’t be so smug about it.”
“Believe me, there’s not a smug bone in my body.” I nod at Brenden. “I’ll drop off more supplies soon.”
“Good luck with that.” He grins at me, and I’m pretty sure he’s talking about my wife.
I direct her out of the house and back down onto the sidewalk. She’s glaring at me the whole time as we take the long way back to my place. I make sure nobody’s following the best I can, but it’s not easy with Riley in tow. Finally, we make it back home.
“I know this is hard,” I tell her once the security system’s back in place. “But it won’t be forever.”
She slumps down onto the couch and leans back. Her eyes shut, and I study her long neck and her pouty lips. God, she’s beautiful, but infuriating too.
“I know,” she says at last, looking at me. “I made a mistake. I’m owning up to it.”
I walk over and sit beside her. I put a hand on her knee, then pull her close against me. Reluctantly, she leans into my side.
“This is hard,” I say softly. “But we’re going to get through it together.”
“I know that. I’m just worried.”
“You can’t do anything for Brenden right now. I promise, I’m taking care of him.”
“I know you are. I just hate feeling powerless.” She pulls back slightly and looks away. “That’s how I felt growing up, you know? My dad treated me like I was some huge disappointment. I couldn’t do anything right.”
“Your dad’s an asshole. You’re a clever and beautiful woman, Riley. You just need to be a little less impulsive.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She smiles slightly. “I’m working on it. It’s just hard to unlearn all the shit my father forced into my head over the years.”
My jaw flexes. I hate what that man did to my wife. She’s holding onto all this baggage because of him, but she doesn’t deserve it. I want to break that fucking man’s skull in half, but I know that would only upset her. Otherwise, I’d make him suffer.
“He doesn’t matter anymore.” I tilt her chin toward me. “You know that, right? He’s nothing. You’re something.”
“Thank you.” She leans up and kisses me. “That helps.”
