Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Xavier POV

Standing behind Layla, I immediately notice her shoulders hiking up and her spine straightening. Following her gaze, my rage is instant and visceral when I see her mom come strolling over as if last night never happened.

The absolute audacity of this woman to appear in Layla’s vicinity confounds me. She should be on her knees, begging for her daughter’s forgiveness. Instead, she’s traipsing around here like the place belongs to

her.

Well, I’ve got news for her. The house belongs to me and my dad, and according to their prenup, she doesn’t get any property rights when it comes to this household. The mountain cabin is hers, and as far as I’m concerned, she can move there permanently so I never have to see her bitch-ass face ever again.

I step closer to Layla, running my fingertips surreptitiously up and down her spine to show my support and solidarity. This conversation with her mom won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean she has to do it alone. I also know the guys will have her back, no matter what.

If Allison had any brain cells left in her head, she would sense the danger emanating from the four of us guys, and then run off to a deserted island as a sign of self-preservation. But I’m not holding my breath in that regard.

“Mom,” comes Layla’s voice, strained and apprehensive.

“Baby, I’m glad you are enjoying yourselves outside on such a lovely day.” The smile on her face is sugary sweet and fake as shit.

Her eyes are tight around the edges, the only sign that she’s apprehensive about how this little get- together will go down. If it were up to me, she would never again be allowed within a 500-mile radius of Layla.

“Allison,” I start, my tone brusque. This conversation will end quickly and with as little interaction between Layla and her as possible. “What can we do for you?”

The smile that she gives me is terse as she says, “Nothing really, I just heard everyone outside and thought it’ll be a good opportunity to spend some time with my daughter and her friends.”

Fuck. That. Shit. This two-faced, conniving snake isn’t going to walk in here and pretend that last night never happened.

Before I can open my mouth to tear her a new asshole she pipes up again as she’s looking at Layla. “Honey, do you think that style best fits you? With your shape and all?” The look on her face as she says this resembles mine when I catch a whiff of curdled milk.

I see Moira slip her hand into Layla’s underneath the table, comforting her in a way I wish I could. Later, I’ll do that later. Now, it’s time to play the part I excel at – being an absolute asshole without regard to

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authority.

My voice drops, and an iciness that could rival the North Pole coats my following words, “Allison, please correct me if I’m wrong, but did you just insult your own fucking daughter in front of all of us, after having the sheer nerve to show your face here as though you didn’t act like a human shit-stain towards her last

night?”

Hunter tries to hide a chuckle behind his fist, Cade doesn’t even attempt to dull his smirk, and AJ watches the showdown as if he’s at Wimbledon. If Moira hadn’t been afraid to lose her job, she would have reacted with a fierceness that I know is embedded deep inside her for the ones she loves. And Layla here has become one of those people quickly because of her angelic personality.

But I get why she’s not speaking up. She’s worried Allison, as the new “lady of the house”, might try to get her fired, but there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll let my dad get rid of her. I’ve known her almost all my life and love her like a surrogate mom. So, having to pack her bags and leave us will never be an option.

A look of disgruntled indignation comes over her face as she clutches at her chest, “Xavier, how dare you speak to me like that? And frankly, what happens between me and my daughter is none of you all’s business.”

She continues before any of us has time to retort, “And I don’t know what Layla told you, but whatever injuries she has, she didn’t get by my hand. She’s always been clumsy, so stumbling and hitting her head

wouldn’t be too out of the norm for her.”

Layla’s body visibly reacts as her mom speaks, shaking from head to toe. I’m not sure if it’s because of anger or hurt. Honestly, it could be both. The fact that she’s attempting to gaslight Layla right now is the final nail in her coffin, as far as I’m concerned.

Balling my fists, I’m physically holding myself back from lunging across this patio and throttling her for being such a shitty parent and humanbeing.

Cade, AJ, and Hunter must sense the storm brewing inside me, because they step closer to where Layla and I are, closing down ranks around her like they are her own personal secret service team. That’s my boys.

Before I can react, though, movement behind her catches my eye. My Dad stands just outside the patio door, arms crossed over his chest, a scowl pinching his features tight. I know that look, and I’m about to let Allison dig her own grave.

My father might not get the “Dad of the Year” award, but I’ve never had to worry about him abusing me or my mom when she was alive. Not physically or verbally. He’s always been tough as nails, even blunt oftentimes, and he especially doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone, including his family. But he has a moral code that no one is allowed to disregard when he’s around.

“Are you telling me you weren’t having a fight with Layla in her room last night?” I ask all innocent-like.

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I would even suggest such a thing.

She’s making it too easy for me, and I’m somewhat disappointed I won’t be able to toy with her more.

“So, the finger-shaped bruises around her arm, where you grabbed her, are a figment of our imagination?” I ask as I gently slide my hand down Layla’s arm so I don’t spook her, then place it on the table.

I noticed them while she was sleeping in my arms last night. I wanted to jump up then and there to go and throw Allison out on her ass with only the clothes on her back, but knew Layla needed me in that moment,

so I held off.

I did, however, vow to make Allison pay. And what do you know, payback came sooner than I expected.

Allison’s eyes widen in shock and most likely apprehension. I can practically hear the gears as they turn at breakneck speeds in her head in an attempt to come up with some pathetic excuse.

My dad’s voice rings out across the pool area before she can try to manipulate us with more lies, half- truths, and veiled comments.

It’s soft, but brooks no argument or lie, when he asks, “Is that true, Allison?”

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