Page 44 of Pretty Psychos
"He was horrible to me," I said in disbelief.
For half a second, I almost expected him to be sympathetic. To understand. To get angry at Wolfgang forever raising a hand to me.
Instead, he scoffed. "Don't be dramatic, Sable. He gave you everything you could want or need. I understand he's still giving it."
For a moment, I thought he was talking about Woody, but then I understood he was referring to Wolfgang's money. Money I didn't want. Not before and not now. I kept enough to make myself comfortable, but I'd given away so much of it already.
"There's more important things in life than money, or prestige, or power," I said.
He shook his head. "I always thought your mother was too soft with you. You have no idea about the real world, do you?"
It was my turn to scoff. "Have you stepped foot in the real world? It's not all Rolexes and Dom Perignon. It's about people giving a crap about other humans that share this planet. Do you understandanyof that?"
"I understand I've been too soft on you," he said. "I thought the senator would have?—"
"The senator?" I echoed. "What are you talking about?You knew?"
"Of course I knew," he said, as though nothing could be more obvious. "I also know the man out there was trying to sell you. Didn't you tell me Judge Cross was nice to you?"
How did he know all of this? I didn't have to pretend to be outraged, but I channelled it in a different direction, hoping he'd buy it.
"Forrest would never do that to me," I insisted.
"He did exactly that," my father said. "With my approval."
Withmyapproval.
Those words took a couple of moments to sink in.
"Howdid you know what happened?" I asked, pretending I wasn't here for that information to start with. "What did you do?"
"That's none of your concern," he said. "Don't worry, you don't need to worry about seeing Judge Cross again. I have something else organized for you."
My blood froze.
He nodded at something behind me. I realized then the door had opened and someone stepped inside.
CHAPTER 16
WOODY
"We could play I Spy," Noah suggested.
I gave him the side eye.
"If you're bored, that is," he said, "It'd be good for a laugh. I'll start. I Spy With My Little Eye, something that begins with S."
"I'm not playing I fucking Spy." I interrupted.
I turned away from him. Watched the house silently for a minute or two before saying, "Sand."
"What?" Noah asked.
Was he playing dumb, or did he have a short memory?
"The thing starting with S, was it sand?"
"I thought we weren't playing." He grinned.
