Page 42 of The Temptation

Romeo snickers a short, bitter laugh under his breath.

“You’re a mouthy bitch,” she hisses.

“And you’re a waste of air, by the sounds of it,” I deadpan.

Her face twitches in anger. “You don’t know me,” she utters as her voice drops into something lower, meaner. “You have no idea what I’ve lived through.”

“I don’t, but I also don’t care,” I shoot back. “Whatever pity card you’re reaching for, it’s expired. I saw your true colours the moment you thought I wasn’t watching, so spare me the sob story, I’m not interested.”

She starts to lean forward like she’s going to lunge again, but Romeo puts a hand between us without even looking.

“Sit. Back,” he growls in that cold and final voice.

For a second, she obeys before releasing her venom. “Look at you,” she sneers, trying to recover her pride. “Acting like you’re some big man now. Is that what she makes you feel like? Powerful? In control?”

“I’m not that little boy you used to be able to push around. You can’t control me anymore, so unless you want me to pull over and make you walk the rest of the way home, I’d shut the fuck up if I were you.”

She drops back into the seat, arms crossed tightly over her chest in a huff and mutters, “Good luck with that one, you’re going to need it.”

I have no idea if she’s throwing shade on me or Romeo, but either way, I don’t care. This woman’s opinion holds no weight for me.

I settle back into my seat as the car falls silent. My head is still spinning when Romeo’s mother says, “I need to go and collect the car.”

“Like hell.”

“You either take me there, or I’ll make my own way.”

“The car is gone. I’ve already organised a tow.”

“You towed it where?”

“Never you mind.”

“It’s my fucking car,” she screams.

“Technically, it’s mine.”

“But you brought it for me.”

“When you start paying for the registration and insurance, then I’ll sign it over to you.”

“I’m on a disability pension, I can’t afford that, you arsehole. Why are you treating me like this?”

“You are far from hard done by. I fund your entire life.”

“You never give me money,” she counters.

“Because I know what you’d do with it if I did. I did, however, buy you a car. I cover the cost of your fuel and all associated expenses. I pay for all of your bills, and food, as well as letting you live in one of my homes rent-free … with that useless cocksucker?—”

“His name is Devon.”

Romeo clears his throat, not acknowledging that fact. “When you get your licence back, you can have the car; until then, it’s staying with me.”

“Fuck you,” she seethes.

“Right back at you, Mum.”

The music thumps loudly in my earbuds as I step onto the chair, stretch onto my toes, and reach for the handle on the top cupboard.