The Ties that Bind (Kingdom) Read Free Page A

won’t you love me?”
    “You know why. We’ve been through this too many times, Mason.” Wiping her eyes with one hand, Taryn attempted to pull the other out of the death grip Mason had on her hand.
    As Hope watched, she was again struck by the look in her mother’s eyes. The tears were gone in an instant. Tugging at the hand enfolded within Mason’s, Taryn gained her release.
    “Go away, Mason.”
    Hope was immediately aware of the dispassion with which Taryn spoke. It was almost as though weariness had overtaken her and she wanted an end to the outpouring of emotion.
    As Hope watched, she could see that her mother’s words or actions had registered with her father. Rising to his feet, he stood looking down at her, his cheeks still glistening with tears.
    “When did we come to this point, Taryn? How did it all go so wrong?”
    “What?” Taryn laughed. “Please tell me you’re joking?”
    “I love you, woman. I’ve always loved you. You know that, and you abused my feelings for you!”
    “My Lord, can you hear yourself? You are not the only one who has had to put up with this farce we call a marriage.”
    “What the hell are you talking about? You’re the drunk. You’re the one who has neglected your only child for most of her life!” Mason shouted, all impressions of his pleading gone.
    “I know I have, Mason, but you’re the one who made sure I kept doing exactly what you’re accusing me of. When the pills ran out, there was always another bottle. When the vodka ran out, there were always two more bottles to take their place.”
    “So, it’s all my fault, is it? You being a lousy mother and an even worse wife, is all my fault?”
    “I didn’t say that. Listen to me. For once in your pompous life, will you listen to me? Hear me, Mason, hear… me !”
    “Why should I listen to you? You’re a goddamn addict. Not even your own daughter wants you. Who does she come running to when she needs something? Who can she rely on when something goes wrong in her life? You, Taryn? Don’t make me laugh!”
    Hope could hear the scorn in her father’s voice, and it was all directed towards the beautiful shell of a woman who had given birth to her. She had never seen her father like this before. Never heard him speak to her mother in this way. They were true, all the things her father was saying, they were all true, but somehow Hope knew something unjust was unfolding before her.
    “I’m taking my life back, and I’m taking Hope back, Mason.”
    Again, Hope heard Taryn’s words spoken without effusion, just a simple truth.
    “I already told you, you’re too late. She belongs to me!”
    “She’s my daughter, and I want her back. You’ve done enough damage to the women in this mockery of a family, and it stops now.”
    Glued to her hiding place, Hope saw her father begin to pace the room, his expression ever changing.
    “You have until morning, to leave this house, Taryn.”
    “What? You can’t throw me out of my own house!”
    “Yes, I can. Pack your bags and get out! You’re sober now, get out there and earn your keep. Let’s see how you manage that. Let’s see how you manage your life without me or Hope in it. God knows you couldn’t even manage to be a half way decent wife or mother!”
    Jumping to her feet, Taryn faced off against Mason. “You get out! This is my home, and I will not leave it!”
    “You couldn’t keep this house going for a month without me!”
    “You just watch me, just watch me and see. Now you have until morning, to pack your bags and get out, you supercilious bastard!” Taryn threw back.
    Looking Taryn up and down, it seemed to Hope that her father was calculating the standoff.
    “Okay, I’ll leave. I’ll be gone first thing in the morning, and I’ll be taking Hope with me.”
    “For God’s sake, Mason, Hope is a grown woman. Stop trying to manipulate her. It’s time for her to grow up, and I’m going to see that she does whether she leaves with you or