The Entitled (The Entitled Duet #1) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,53

red because I feel like I’m on fire. He turns to me, his eyes wild, looking at my appearance.

“Pack a bag, we’re leaving,” he spits out.

I grab for Reed. “What?” His arm tightens on me.

“Pack. Your. Bag.” His voice is like ice.

I’m clutching Reed’s hand as if it can somehow merge me with him.

“Daddy, please…” I almost sink to my knees. Instead I face him head-on.

He’s furious and his cheek is twitching as he looks around my room.

“Mom?” I scream. Suddenly she seems like the best person in the world. I let go of Reed and run down the hall to her room.

Bursting open her door, I almost take a step back. It’s like a tomb. As my eyes try to adjust to the darkness, I cringe at her appearance. Dad’s right. She looks like shit! Worse than yesterday if that is possible. It doesn’t help that her makeup is still smeared on her face and pillow. Her Botox eye is still sporting the look of someone who’s had a stroke.

“Mom?” I jump on the mattress, shaking her. “Wake up! Dad’s home.” She sits up and grabs her head.

“Tess, please,” she snaps, lying back down. Suddenly we both jump.

“Don’t bother getting up, Claire. I’m not staying.” My dad walks into his large walk-in closet and pulls out a fresh suit.

“Robert?” My mom holds up her hands, kind of reminding me of a vampire trying to keep the morning light from burning her up.

“Christ.” His eyes move around his bedroom. Besides the walls being painted a deep rose color, she also got rid of the dark wooden bedroom furniture, replacing it with white.

“You’re a fucking disgrace!” He snarls down at her. “If I had any sense, I would divorce your drunk ass. Look at you.” He nearly spits in her face. Grabbing my arm, he shakes me slightly. “I just caught our fifteen-year-old daughter locked in her room with Reed! Who the fuck lets her daughter fuck her boyfriend in the room next to hers?” He waits as if my mom is smart enough to spar with him. She only stares at him with her one eye, looking dazed.

“I’m taking Tess with me. You can sit here and drown in vodka for all I care. I’m done.” With that he releases me and steps away, walking into the bathroom.

Scrambling over to her, I grab her cold hand. “Mom? This can’t happen! You need to get yourself together and tell him no, okay?”

This is it. My moment of truth with her. Her time to be a real mother. “Please.” My voice is raspy as I beg. “I need you! Don’t let him take me.” I’m borderline possessed, and I guess crying because everything is blurry.

Backing off the bed, I scream, “You’re going to let him take me, aren’t you?” I shake my head at the pain and betrayal. She stares at me then at the closed bathroom door.

“If you let him do this, I will never forgive you.”

“Tess.” I turn to Reed’s voice. He stands in the doorway looking at my disgusting mother.

“Come here. No one is taking you away.” Running to him I leap into his arms, crawling on him like a monkey. He wraps strong arms around my legs and I bury my face in his neck as he carries me back to my room and sits on my bed.

“She’s not going to stand up to him.” I clutch at his neck. “This is bad, Reed.” My throat is getting tight, that feeling like something is stuck in it, making me panic. My eyes dart around my childhood room. It’s my sanctuary. I love it. I can’t leave it.

“Reed… I can’t breathe.”

“Come on, baby. Breathe with me slowly… in and out.” Taking my hand, he puts it on his heart. “Take it, Tess. It’s yours. Take it and keep it.” Air fills my lungs and brain; my throat opens up.

“That’s it… like that. It’s almost over. Breathe with me.”

I’m sweating, but at least I can breathe. Sagging into his chest, I lean back as he holds me tight.

“Better?” His turquoise eyes, search my face. “We have to stay calm, Tess. It’s going to be all right.”

My father walks into my room smelling fresh from his shower and cologne. His blue eyes narrow on us.

“Tess, if you have anything that you can’t live without, I suggest you pack it. We will be leaving within the hour.” His eyes sweep my room. “Actually, just take some clothes. Svetlana, can help you pick