Page 81 of Bad Bishop

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

LILA

I sat crisscrossed on Tiernan’s bed, examining my treasure.

As promised, he bought me everything I wanted from the internet and opened an Amazon account for me, where he taught me how to order things. It was a fairly simple process, which infuriated me even more, because why did Mama cut me off from such a great invention?

There was a mouthwatering number of books about arts and music in front of me, a new Kindle—connected to the internet this time—a vibrating alarm clock, a bed shaker, sound field speakers, and a Bluetooth microphone. I also splurged on new sketchbooks and pencils.

I picked up my phone and checked if Mama answered my last message.

Lila: Are you really cutting all ties with me because I speak to my husband? Do you understand how utterly deranged that is?

The message was read, but there was no reply. It had been a week since her showdown with Tiernan, so I gathered she made her decision. I was dead to her.

With a sigh, I opened a new message bubble and texted Enzo.

Lila: How’s Mama doing?

Enzo: Still butthurt. Fuck her, though. It’s for her to work out with herself. You did nothing wrong.

Lila: It’s a huge change for her.

Enzo: Nah. It’s a huge change for YOU. If she can’t be there for you, she deserves to stew in it until she comes to her senses.

Even though I knew he was right, talking about it made tears sting my eyes.

Lila: And how’s your arm?

Enzo: Better. Even managed to rub one out yesterday.

Lila: Rub what out?

Enzo: Oops. Nothing. Is Tiernan treating you well?

I googled the meaning ofrub one out. Gagged. Reopened our text window.

Lila: No complaints here.

I was downplaying it, of course. The truth was, I liked my husband. I liked our dinners. I liked his dry sense of humor and sardonic smirks and that he spooned me from behind at night just to make me practice being touched. I still couldn’t sleep at all, but at least I could be in the same vicinity with an intimidating, muscular male without recoiling.

Enzo: I still can’t believe you can talk. The amount of gossip sessions we could’ve had about our messed up family ?.

Lila: We can always play catch up.

Enzo: Don’t worry. I have a feeling we’re about to get some fresh material soon, between Luca and Achilles.

I smiled, shaking my head. My phone vibrated, alerting me through a special app that the front door had opened. It was one of the many gadgets Tiernan had installed for me.

A moment later, my husband appeared at our bedroom door, parking his shoulder on the doorframe. For a moment, he just stared at me.

“Hi.” I smiled. He didn’t.

“Have you slept any tonight?”

“I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t.