Page 120 of Intolerable Bishop

“No, you lost that right when you walked out ten years ago and never looked back.”

“Son, don’t speak to your mother that way,” Lawrence said as if he was purposely trying to create an explosion. Nash practically snarled at him.

“You don’t get to say shit to me,” Nash yelled, pointing at his father. Lawrence’s eyes were enraged, but under that was something else. I swear he wanted this, and if he wanted this, then I was stopping it. I didn’t trust him. “Fucking my ex and my mother—who abandoned me—at the same time. Then you invite them both to my birthday party. You’re not exactly father of the year material.”

There was a collective gasp, and it was apparent Vicky didn’t know as her mouth fell open. Jesus, this was a mess.

“This is not the time or place, son. This is a family matter that should be spoken about in private. Just when I think you’ve gotten over childish tantrums and you deserve to take on more responsibility in the business, you prove me wrong.”

I knew it! Fucking Lawrence.

I had to pass right by Count Dick and Vicky, and just as I was almost clear, Vicky glared at me and then pushed into me. Her red wine splashed out of her glass and soaked the front of my dress. It looked like I’d been shot. I shook my head. The bitch just didn’t give up.

“Oops, sorry. I didn’t see you there,” she said sweetly and grabbed some napkins from the table.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed as the crowd glanced between Nash and his mother and me and Vicky.

“I said I was sorry. It was an accident. You don’t have to be so rude.”

Nope, not today. I wasn’t falling for the same trap they just sprang on Nash.

Not caring that I was a mess, I grabbed Nash’s hand before he started into another tirade. He didn’t move at first.

“Nash,” I said softly. He looked down, and his eyes traced my body, obviously not having a clue what happened with Vicky. “Come with me, now. It’s important,” I whispered.

Nash snatched some wine off the table and raised it in the air. “Happy birthday to me,” he yelled, chugging it and slamming the glass down before he let me pull him away. Picking up the front of my dress, I jogged up the stairs and didn’t stop walking until we were in his room with the door closed.

“Ah!” He roared, and I let go of his hand.

I kept my back against the door as Nash lost it. Ripping off his suit jacket, he tossed it, and anything else he could get his hands on that wasn’t strapped down. Everything from paperweights to swimming trophies became victims. I stared at the floor with my hands clenched tight as something else crashed. I winced as each noise brought back memories of another room being trashed.

No, I couldn’t think about that. I swallowed down the panic and the emotions that came with those thoughts.

Suddenly, his feet entered my line of sight. My head shot up, ready for him to throw me next. Instead, he slammed his hand against the door beside my head. I winced but stared into his furious gaze. He looked down at my dress.

“Who did that?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Vicky.”

“Bitch,” he growled.

I yelped in shock as he roughly grabbed my face and slammed his lips down on mine. All logical thought was wiped clean as he pushed me up against the door and trapped me with his body. My lips parted, and like the other times he’d kissed me, his tongue invaded my mouth and my senses, taking over as the kiss became more frantic. Even though it was a terrible idea, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back with just as much ferocity.

Nash rubbed against me, and I moaned, unable to stop the sound from escaping. Red flags were waving in my mind, but I couldn’t push him away. He didn’t want me, not really. He wanted to escape his life, and he was using me as an outlet. But my heart pounded out of control in my chest, and a deep-rooted need I didn’t want to face rose to the surface.

He broke the kiss with a gasp and pulled my arms from around his neck. “You need to go,” he growled. “Or I’m not going to stop.” I stared into his eyes and bit my lip as my brain and body fought with what was right. I jumped as a sharp knock vibrated the door right behind my head, making my choice for me. “Who the fuck is it?”

“Us,” came Theo’s voice, and he relaxed.

Moving away from the door, he opened it, and I fought the urge to pat at my hair and smooth my dress.

Liam, Theo, and Blake’s eyes ping-ponged between us.

“Are you coming in or just going to stand there staring all night?”