“I’ve got this,” Janka shoved away from the table faster than Liesl could. “Get out Sandy. This is a private business establishment, and you are not welcome.”
“Where is my sister? I want to know where she is right now.”
“She’s busy.”
“Fucking my husband?” Sandy hissed back.
Liesl pulled her lips back with fury, her teeth gritted at the hypocrisy of the woman. She entered the gallery and let her gaze rove over her sister. Her belly was rounded, and she was showing off the baby bump with the clothing she was wearing. Her shirt was almost a crop top, and the pants were low rise. It was September in New Hampshire, not exactly sweater weather yet but the summer-like attire the woman wore was odd.
“I am not fucking your husband. I have better things to do with my time.”
“You were with him the other night. His shirt smelled of your perfume.”
“I don’t even wear perfume,” Liesl laughed at her. “The last time I wore perfume was in middle school when I got a bottle of Chanel Red.”
“Oh my gosh, you thought you were so hot,” Janka laughed at the memory.
She grinned at Janka, “I did too until I caused the girl in homeroom to have an asthma attack and almost die.”
“Stop laughing!” Sandy shrieked. “Why are you doing this to me? Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Not particularly but I’m not doing anything to you either. I don’t like you, Sandy.” Liesl’s phone rang in her back pocket, and she pulled it out and looked to Janka, “is he watching me?”
“Probably has security watching you. He’s very protective.”
“Merlin?” Sandy growled, “Merlin is watching you?”
She answered her phone, ignoring Sandy, “hey handsome. What are you doing?”
“Hi, my love,” Isaias’ voice was smooth. “You didn’t message me back when I texted. Are you okay?”
“I am.”
“Are you sure? A little birdy told me you have a parasite. You know to remove a tick? You need to make sure you rip it’s head off.” His words were dark and menacing.
Sandy’s eyes widened at the blunt comments.
“I think you mean you need to pull it out by the head,” she corrected with a giggle. “I miss you.”
“Two more sleeps, sweetheart. Janka and Elsie are going to spend the night with you tonight. If you get into the wine cellar, there is a bottle of champagne in a special case, leave that. It’s a bottle my grandfather had given me, but the rest is open season.”
“You’re the best.”
“At what? Fucking you? Spoiling you? Loving you?”
His words made her blush as Janka flapped her hands excitedly.
She giggled, “all of the above.”
“Good girl. Keep thinking of how amazing I am. If you have wet dreams tonight about me, you should paint them. I can add to it later with my own special spray.”
“Ew!” Sandy gasped with disgust.
Liesl lost it and laughed loudly, “you’re terrible.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
He sighed, “I miss you. If you need help removing ticks and parasites, there is a black SUV across the street with three men in there to assist you with any of your security needs.”
She smiled at his words, “thank you, Isaias.”
“You are welcome. I’ll see you soon my love.” He paused, “tell Janka if you girls all do the shorty-shorts and pillow fight during your sleepover tonight, I want video of you.”
“I’m hanging up now.” His dark throaty laugh teased her as she disconnected the phone. She looked to her sister and smirked, “why the fuck would I want to screw your husband when I have someone like Isaias Machado taking care of every possible need?”
“He’s Merlin’s enemy. He’s only using you.”
“Let him,” Janka said with a snarky grin. “Let him use you a hundred different ways to Sunday.”
“Oh,” she made wide eyes at Janka knowing it was irritating Sandy, “I do.”
“Trent and Torrie do not approve of this man,” Sandy said snapping her fingers in Liesl’s direction.
“I don’t give a flying fuck,” Liesl responded crudely. “They’re your problem now.”
“Where is Merlin? If Isaias is out of town, are you hooking up with him?”
“Sandy,” she waved her phone around. “I have a boyfriend who keeps me so sexually satiated I have no energy to go looking elsewhere. Merlin has nothing I want.”
“He is not your boyfriend.”
“Sandy, I’m not doing this dance with you. Merlin isn’t here,” Liesl gave an exhausted sigh. “I don’t know what you want from me. You have everything you could have wanted with Merlin and the baby. Why can’t you simply leave me alone?”
“You’re my sister! You’re supposed to support me and be here for me during my pregnancy.”
“You had an affair with my husband!” Liesl shot back. “I can’t support you when you literally plotted to break my heart. You wanted him and you got him. You don’t get to have me pandering to you as well. We aren’t sisters anymore, Sandy.” She saw Sandy’s head snap back in disbelief. “The child in your belly is not my nephew. Your husband is not my brother-in-law. We are not family. I don’t want anything to do with you. I especially don’t want anything to do with Merlin. You have what you wanted with your happy little family. You’re living your dreams. Let me live mine in peace.”
“You wrecked my house!” she tried to keep the argument alive.
“I sold my house, mine. Merlin can buy you a new home and the three of you can live happily ever after.”
Sandy’s eyes welled up with tears and Liesl knew it was nothing but a show. “Why are you so mean to me?”
“I think you should leave and not ever come back. Stop messaging me. Stop calling me. I signed the divorce papers and gave you everything, including the man I thought I was going to grow old with. I have nothing left to give you, Sandy. Any affection I had for you is destroyed and it will never come back.”
“I’m telling Mom you’re talking to me this way.”
“Go ahead. I don’t care. Your feelings and emotions are no longer my concern.”
“You’re being mean!” Sandy stomped her foot furiously. “I want you to stop it. This baby,” she rubbed her belly, “is your nephew and you’re going to love him. I want you there at the birth to hold my hand. You are to be his godmother.”
Janka gasped at the statement and Liesl’s mouth fell open in stunned horror at her sister’s demands.
“Like fucking hell,” Liesl blinked. “I’d rather die than be there to witness the birth of your spawn.”
Sandy charged at her and slapped her in the face, “stop being so mean to me!”
A burly man entered the gallery, the chimes of the bells on the door an odd notification when the entire room’s energy was sucked in with his presence. He moved between Liesl and Sandy looking down at Liesl and checked her face studying the palm mark. “Isaias is going to be pissed.” He turned to Sandy who was now pale, “you should leave before I make you leave.”
“This is a family matter!” Sandy was shaking from the angry vibration of the man.
“Yes, I agree. She is my cousin’s girlfriend which makes her my family. You assaulted her and it’s all on camera,” he pointed to the camera focused on the gallery over the counter where Janka stood. “It is in your best interests to leave before we call the police and file charges for assault.” He looked to Liesl, “unless you want to do it now? I’m happy to call my friend at the precinct.”
“No,” Liesl rubbed her jaw. “I’m fine. She’s leaving and she’s never coming back.”
He stepped closer to Sandy, “get out.”
She pouted with big tears running down her cheeks, “Liesl, you will be there for the birth.”
“I will not,” Liesl said firmly fighting her own emotions. “Leave. Now.”
As her sister stormed out of the gallery the man looked to Liesl with a sad shake of his head.
“I apologize. I delayed coming in. Isaias said I shouldn’t interfere unless you were in danger. I didn’t realize she was going to hit you until she did.”
“I’m fine, really.” She gave a sad smile. “She’s mentally unhinged.”
“I won’t be letting her back inside. You can finish you day.”
“Thank you,” she smiled at him as he patted her shoulder before walking out. She looked to Janka and giggled as she caught her friend staring very boldly at the man’s backside. “Janka!”
“Invite him to the slumber party.” Her friend wiggled her eyebrows, breaking the tension of the moment and sending them into gales of laughter.
