Bribing The Billionaire’s Revenge - Chapter 70: Chapter 70

Karl held her hand as they stood outside her grandmother’s house Sunday afternoon.
“You haven’t heard anything other than the one text?”
“I saw. I love you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
That was it.No call. Just the text. She was so confused.
“Nothing.Not another word. His father called me this morning to tell me Harrison was in Texas and would be home today. If his father knows, he said nothing to me.”
Karl looked at her sadly, “he said he loved you and he’d talk to you today.”
“I know.”
“Your experience him with thus far has been when he’s dealing with something he backs off to get his head straight. Remember the video? He went radio silent because he wanted to fix it. Right?”
“And the gala, he went silent because he was trying to get his temper under control with Trent.”
“Right. So, he’s getting his shit together, and he’ll be back for you. His text says he loves you. This is his MO. He steps back to get his thoughts together, and then he’ll return for you. Don’t stress.Please.Trust him.”
She nodded and took a breath.“I trust him.”
“Good girl.”He took a deep breath of his scowling at the sight of Vince’s car in the driveway.“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Shit,” she paused, “the painting. Grab the painting from the back of the car.”
“I don’t want to,” Karl made a face.
“It’s wrapped.”She rolled her eyes at her brother’s childishness.“It’s not going to bite you.”
“You’re going to unwrap it; my eyes will never be the same.”
“It’s your grandmother’s body, tastefully painted.”
“Unless it’s fully clothed, there is nothing on this planet; I want to see less than this painting.”
“What if I painted her in BDSM wear? Black leather, crotchless panties, fishnets, and holding a flogger?”
Karl ripped the painting from the car and glowered at her, “I hate you for putting the image in my head.”
“You’re welcome,” she shrugged carelessly as they walked the small pathway to the front door. She pushed it open, wishing she could move her nerves away as quickly as the screened door.“Gran?”
“We’re in here, Sherry. I told your mother I posed for you on the settee where my son was conceived.”
She stifled a giggle as Karl made a gagging noise behind her. She went to the room and sniffed appreciatively, “Did you make stew?”
“I did,” her grandmother was on her feet from her favorite recliner and rushing to her.“I can kick these two assholes out if you need me to. Your mother, as well. Say the word.”
“Gran!” Willow shrieked. “I am your granddaughter, too!”
“You’re an asshole. If you were my child, I would have leveled one hell of a beating on your backside and nipped your behavior in the bud. Your mother should be ashamed to let you treat your sister like this. My girls got along like best friends and never dreamed of hurting one another. This foolishness has to come to an end.”
“I told Sherry how she can fix it,” Willow stared at her with a smirk.
“If I were Sherry, I’d have the restraining order back in place,” Karl said cruelly.“To make sure you understand my position here, Willow, when Sherry told you at the gala a month or more ago you were no longer her sister, it went ditto for me. I’m here today for her, not you. You’re a cold, calculating bitch. I know what you’re planning. I don’t know why you’re dragging innocent people into your quagmire of hell, but to make myself abundantly clear, you are not welcome in my home or near my family again. Not ever.”
Willow paled at Karl’s brutal words.“Freddy. You don’t mean it!”
“I do. Mom wanted us here to clear the air, so I’m ensuring it’s clear. You fucked your sister’s husband. Lied consistently about everything you are doing.Made Mom choose between you and made Mom crazy in doing so. You continue to lie to everyone around you. If it weren’t for the fact you dress like a brothel madam, I would even have guessed you lied about the pregnancy, too. You are poison, Willow, and I don’t want you near my wife or my child.”
“Karl,” Stella spoke quietly, “enough. I wanted us to clear the air.”
“Oh, it’s clear,” he said smugly. He motioned to the painting, “Let’s get this over with.”
“Sherry, say something!” Willow slapped the arm of the sofa.
“I have nothing to say, Willow. Not to either of you.”
Vince interrupted, “You look pale, Sherry. Are you feeling well?”
“Never better,” she didn’t spare him a glance. “Where do you want to open this, Gran?”
“Right here.”
“What is it?” Willow questioned curiously.
“I asked Sherry to do a portrait.”
“I want a portrait.” Willow whined.“You should paint me Sherry with my belly.”
“Fuck off,” Karl interjected before Sherry could speak.
Sherry snickered at how abrasive Karl was being, and she kissed his cheek.“Down, boy.”She rested the painting against the legs of the coffee table.“ Gran, I’ll let you do the honors.”
Her grandmother looked her over, “Vince is right. You do look pale.”
“I’m good. Harrison has been out of town this week, and I don’t sleep well without him.”She smiled at her grandmother.“I’ve gotten used to being the little spoon.”
“He’s a cuddler, is he?” her Gran grinned at her.
“He is. He calls me his heating pad. He’s like a baby spider monkey, all arms.”She laughed as her grandmother guffawed.
“Is this necessary,” Vince questioned quietly.
“My grandmother asked why I am pale. I’m simply letting her know. If you don’t like it, fuck off.” Sherry said boldly. “Also, my legal team will be reaching out to you tomorrow. One more text message or rude comment from you or your father to me, and I’ll not only be filing restraining orders, but I’ll also be suing you both for harassment.”
He inhaled sharply at her rebuke.
Her grandmother unceremoniously began tearing the paper off the painting and then gave a delighted squeal, interrupting the argument before it started. Her eyes were bright and luminous as they flicked back and forth between the painting and Sherry.
“Oh, Sherry, it’s stunning.”
“Jesus Christ, Gran. She painted you naked!”Willow was edging on her seat to stare in amazement at the painting.“Sherry why?” Willow averted her gaze, trying desperately to look everywhere but at the painting.
“Freddy, help me hang it!” her grandmother hugged Karl and the painting simultaneously.
“Where?Bedroom?”
“Dining room.”
“No!” Willow squealed with hate. “People eat in there, Gran.”
Stella gripped her throat as if trying to get more air in, “I have to agree. It’s not appropriate for a dining room. You have a painting in there already.”
“Take it down, Freddy Boy!” her grandmother exclaimed with glee. “I want my cooch on full display over the dinner table. It will make for far more interesting dinner conversation!”
Sherry giggled at her Gran’s antics. Sherry was enjoying the stunned silence. She watched her grandmother’s face proudly, staring at the painting, and waited for her to notice some of the liberties she’d taken.
“I love the cigarette,” Karl said suddenly. “I mean, it’s you, Gran.”
“It is me. You know what I love most, though?” Gran looked to Sherry with a smile, “Is the little portrait in the corner watching me on the settee.”
Sherry watched as her mother and Willow squinted, and then her mother smiled.
“What a nice touch, Sherry.Putting your grandfather there.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She felt her mom grip her hand and squeeze it. “Based on what she said, I knew they had a very passionate love. If she were going to be anywhere naked, he would want to be there.”
“And you ruined it,” Karl muttered as he shuddered.
“It’s quite exquisite,” Vince said suddenly.“You are so incredibly talented, Sherry.”
His compliment made her nod, “Thanks, Vince. The woman herself very much inspired me. I have started an entire collection of older women embracing their bodies and their sexuality. Gran, I may borrow the painting if you permit for a show?”
“I would be honored,” her grandmother kissed her cheek warmly.
“You cannot display our family naked like this!”Willow squealed.“It’s absurd. Vince, why are you not telling her?”
“It’s not my place to tell her anything. I fucked up a lot when I was married to Sherry, Willow, and one of the ways I fucked up was by not truly supporting and appreciating the talent she has. Go for it, Sherry. Take the world by storm, one naked Granny at a time.”