Chapter Three. #2
Trust Eddie not to pull her punches. Drake shifted uncomfortably.
I guessed my husband well enough; he was wondering if Eddie was calling him a bad father.
Drake wasn’t, and Eddie knew that. She loved Drake, but also accepted that Drake gave Dante leeway he didn’t allow anyone else.
In Drake’s defence, he often didn’t realise he was doing it.
He was a fantastic dad who adored the children. Adopted or otherwise.
“Yeah, I’ve been warned over the years, and I ignored Mom.
That’s on me. The fact it’s come to you begging to go to boarding school to avoid another of my children…
well.” Drake sighed loudly and rubbed his chin.
“This shit shouldn’t be happening. Dante will get in line. I promise. Can I ask one thing?”
“Of course!” Eddie exclaimed.
“Give me two months to sort Dante out. If I haven’t got Dante under control, then I’ll move out with him permanently until he’s a decent human being.
This afternoon we’ll head to the clubhouse for a week.
After that, we’ll return home and see how it goes.
Eddie, I’m aware this is a big ask,” Drake stated.
I pursed my lips. Drake was putting everything on Eddie’s shoulders, and I didn’t like that. That put added pressure on her and was wrong.
“Fine, I don’t want to split the family up, and I don’t like the idea of you and Mama Phoe being apart. But you’ve gotta make Dante behave. We’ll still argue, but his attitude and opinions fuckin’ suck!” Eddie replied.
I couldn’t scold Eddie because she was right.
“If I beat on him, Dante deserves it,” Tony added.
“No soothing Dante by giving him something that Mama took away. No taking Dante for meals when he’s been a shit.
You’ve gotta abide by Mama’s rules, Dad.
That’s the only way this will work. Eddie is half to blame for the constant fighting and one-ups, but the hate belongs to Dante alone.
I don’t wanna leave home, but I will if Eddie’s forced out. ”
“Eddie won’t be driven out, son,” Drake said, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder.
Tony looked at him. “Dad, I’m trusting you; don’t let me down.”
If this meeting didn’t hit home, then nothing would.
Drake
I didn’t bother packing because I had stuff at the clubhouse.
However, I had packed a backpack for Dante.
Four pairs of jeans, socks, underwear, four tees, one pair of old sneakers and one sweater.
And some old sweatpants to sleep in. A grin crossed my lips.
Dante wouldn’t know what’s hit him. As I picked the pack up, Dante entered the room.
“What’s going on?” he demanded.
I studied my son and inwardly winced. Dante wore a sullen expression, like the world was against him, and had an air of entitlement.
Even the way Dante stood spoke of money and attitude.
Dante had grown into one of the rich brats that I used to beat on as a kid myself.
I understood what Phoe had meant when she said she loved him but didn’t like him.
“We’re going to stay at the clubhouse.”
Dante pondered that for a few moments, and then a grin crossed his face. “Cool! Just me and you, Dad. Let’s blow this joint!”
His words didn’t shock me. I was beyond that now, where Dante was concerned.
“What do you think’s happening here?” I demanded sitting on the bed.
“We’re escaping Mom and her bullshit rules. You’re teaching Mom a lesson and putting Eddie in her place.”
Yup, not a surprise. “You’re very wrong. Eddie and Tony came to Mom and me today and asked to be sent to boarding school to get away from you. They’ve also requested that they go to Fanatic’s during vacations.”
Dante pursed his lips before breaking into a huge, beaming smile. He shot his fist into the air in celebration. “Yes! I won! When’s Eddie leaving?”
“Eddie’s not. You are.” I waited for my words to sink in.
“What?” Dante screeched.
“You’re out of control, thoughtless, uncaring, cruel and downright hateful.”
“So’s Eddie!”
“No. Not like you. Look how you just celebrated her wanting to leave home. Such a nasty reaction, Dante. You’re spiteful and indulged. That stops now,” I said firmly. Dante snorted.
“Whatever. You should let Eddie go; no one likes her,” he retorted.
“Actually, nobody fuckin’ likes you. Aria and Alyssa are heading out to different schools to get away from you and EJ.
Eddie and Tony literally begged to attend boarding school.
You’re the common denominator, son. And you’re fuckin’ vile.
This is your bag; take it. By the way, your mom is researching boarding schools for you.
” I dropped the bombshell as I shoved the backpack at him.
Dante was going to hate me by the end of the week, and somehow, I was perfectly fine with that.
Two hours later.
“You want me to do what?” Dante yelled, stamping his foot. I raised an eyebrow at the full-scale tantrum erupting from my youngest.
“Pick up the dirty glasses and cups and load the dishwasher,” I repeated calmly.
“What the fuck!” Dante screeched.
“Swear at me again, boy, and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap,” I warned.
“Fuckin’ try it!” Dante sneered.
Half an hour later
“Dante’s muttering about child abuse,” Ace said, sitting next to me at the bar.
“Yup, he’s still foaming at the mouth,” I agreed with a grin.
“There’s a bar of soap in the john with teeth marks,” Gunner announced, joining us.
“You’ll find they match Dante’s,” I replied, and Gunner grinned before his eyes tracked Dante sullenly picking up glasses.
“The fucker’s plotting your death,” Gunner muttered as he accepted a beer from Aaron. Aaron snorted and moved away, wiping the bar down.
Every so often, Dante picked up a glass and sent me a murderous look. He was definitely muttering under his breath.
“Kid’s mentioned child services,” Ace added, laughing.
“Shame Dante can’t call them because Phoe gave away his cell the other day when he was mouthy.”
“Damn! Phoe’s serious?” Gunner asked.
“Deadly. Dante’s lost two gaming consoles, phone, laptop and his entire Assassins collection. Phoe’s given everything to charity. Dante doesn’t give a shit because he thinks I’ll replace it all. He’s wrong.”
“How’s Eddie and Tony?” Gunner inquired quietly.
“Not good. Eddie was withdrawn when Dante and I left this afternoon. She and Tony were deadly serious about leaving, so they didn’t cause more upset,” I explained.
“Eddie’s no innocent,” Gunner said, rubbing his stomach.
I winced. “I know. But Eddie’s not deliberately hateful, not like Dante.
Eddie believes in payback and teaching lessons, but it’s not done out of hate.
What Dante stated was dripping with hatred.
Anyway, get your licks in, Dante should be terrified of you when you’ve finished.
” Despite Gunner’s wince, he grinned broadly. Yeah, Gunner was out to get Dante.
The other month, Eddie and the Princesses had taken offence to the Legacies, and when we didn’t punish them the way they should have been, Eddie acted.
She’d put laxatives in the coffee jug and hit all the brothers in one fell swoop.
Aria, Alyssa and Davy had spiked the boys lemonade and tricked them into drinking it by saying it was theirs.
The little idiots promptly took and drank it because they could.
They soon learned the price of crossing the Princesses – again.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t punish the girls because we’d let the boys off their offence, which they quickly pointed out.
Eddie seriously needed to attend law school because she’d argue her way out of anything with logic and facts.
I felt sorry for any fool who crossed her.
And God help her guy when she found him.
I hoped he came with buckets of patience.
“I’m hungry,” Dante stopped in front of me.
“And?”
“Feed me, Dad. I’ve been working.”
I glanced around the room and snorted in amusement. “You call taking two trays of glasses out working? Get real. This is your new reality, Dante, one you created with your hateful attitude. You get nothing until you’ve earned it.”
“That’s child labour and illegal!” he shot back.
I grinned evilly, and fear crossed Dante’s face before worry settled in.
“Tough. Fuckin’. Luck. You pushed boundaries, believing you were better than everything because you’re my son.
Dante, you’re wrong. You thought being a Legacy meant you’d get president, and you’ve been throwing your weight around.
Big mistake. My heirs, as of now, are Ice and Shutout.
President is something that’s earned, and you deserve shit.
You want feeding? Clear those glasses, and then I’ll order food.
You ate three hours ago, you ain’t starving! ”
Those around me smirked as Dante completely melted down. I ignored him and carried on with my conversation. I meant what I said. Phoe was correct; I’d created a monster, and now I had to deal with him. And so I would!