Read Online Inked Fighter: Complete Collection (MMA MC New Adult Romance) by E. E. Griffin - Free Book Online Page B

bouncing my crying daughter in my arms, I wondered if I should confront Regan. I cringed, thinking about her using my money to buy drugs. My heart pounded and sweat trickled down my forehead.
    I paced toward the window and stared outside. I wished Zoe would come home so I wouldn’t be alone. Rose finally calmed down, and I set her on the bed to crawl around in the pillows. She was naked except for a diaper, after getting dirty in the garden. I hadn’t had the energy to put new clothes on her.
    I flopped down on my back, and Rose crawled onto my chest. “Momma,” she said. I sighed, hugging her. What could I do? I didn’t have any proof Regan took the money or that she was taking drugs.
    Even if I did have proof, could I really kick her out? Where would she go? What would she do? If she stayed, there was always a chance that she’d eventually get her act together. If I kicked her out on the street, what chance would she have?
    Still, I had to do something. I had to say something, even if it meant provoking her wrath. This was my home, and I wasn’t going to be made a prisoner by her insanity. I rolled over with Rose in my arms, put some fresh clothes on her, and went downstairs.
    Regan sat on the couch watching TV, curled around a bowl of microwave popcorn. Kernels lay strewn across the couch and floor. I seared with anger, looking at the mess. I knew she wouldn’t clean it up. Quietly, I put Rose in her playpen and gave her a sippy cup of juice while thinking of what to say to Regan.
    I drank a big glass of water and sat on the couch. Regan didn’t look at me. I stared at the television, trying to get up the nerve to speak. I didn’t want to have an outburst directed at me, especially with Rose in the room. We’d had too many to count in the last two years.
    “Regan, I wanted to talk to you about something that is concerning me.”
    “Yeah,” she said, not looking away from the TV.
    “I had some cash in my top drawer last night. I looked in there this morning, and it was gone.”
    “That sucks.” She shoved another handful of popcorn in her mouth.
    “Do you have any idea what might have happened to it?”
    She stared at me with a nasty look on her face. I could see the anger in her eyes, but her lips were curled in a smooth smile. “Why would I know anything about it? It’s your money.”
    “There has to be some explanation. I doubt Zoe took it.”
    “What are you suggesting?”
    “I’m not suggesting anything. I’m simply asking if you know anything about it. You had a boy over last night. There was a hypodermic needle in your bedroom with drops of brown liquid in it.”
    “Why were you in my room?” Her voice rose in volume and pitch.
    “I was looking for you.”
    “Don’t go in my room.”
    The threatening edge in her voice made me suck air into my chest. I didn’t want to go on, but I couldn’t help myself.
    “So do you think Toby took it?”
    Regan threw the bowl of popcorn in the air, sending kernels in every direction. She got up abruptly, her energy enraged and chaotic. She turned to me and began to vomit words.
    “Why is it always my fault? I didn’t do anything. Toby didn’t do anything. He’s a decent guy. I think you’re just jealous because no boys like you. That guy that came over last night was obviously more into me than you. You need to get over yourself, Claire. Fat chicks with saggy boobs will never be popular. Maybe you should learn to put out or something. Don’t take your sexual frustration out on me.
    “You know you never should have had a baby. You’re way too young, and immature, and stupid to take care of a kid. Rose would be better off in foster care.
    “I can’t believe that you would accuse me of taking your money. You probably dropped it somewhere. You’ve always been like that. Totally irresponsible and clueless.”
    She went on like that for what felt like centuries. The words cut like razor blades into my heart. They were the words of a person who