Page 11 of Enthrall Shadows
Despite all Richard had endured because of his corrupt father, he did not appear jaded. He had dropped his real last name—Sheppard—to hide the fact he was the son of the man who had brought down Wall Street.
Everyone here adored Richard. They called him Booth.
He’d played a major role in saving Cole Tea. For a while there, he’d even dated Mia Lauren before she’d married Cameron.
And they called me complicated.
A flurry of ten young barely clad women wearing masquerade masks scurried in the opposite direction, a sexual fantasy unraveling in real time.
I found it challenging to look away.
It would probably be frowned upon if I tucked one of the submissives under my arm and ran out the front door, trying to save a lamb like Clarice Starling in Thomas Harris’ novel.
I staggered, feeling dizzy.
“Steady there,” said Richard.
He led me into an office that contained sophisticated remnants of when my brother had owned this space. A framed photo of Carl Jung was one of many items decorating the walls.
Richard fished out his iPhone, threatening to text Cameron.
“Not yet,” I said.
“Not yet?” His tone held a hint of amusement.
“Let’s not bother him.”
“Right.” He arched a brow. “Because what could possibly go wrong?”
I stepped forward and eased the phone out of his hands, setting it on the desk.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
I mulled over an explanation we’d both believe.
He leaned over the desk and pressed a button on the office phone. “Coffee. Soon as you can.”
Sobering up was not on my agenda.
I thought about Reese’s unopened letter.
Open it and that old pain will spill out.
“I’m not ready,” I whispered.
“What’s going on with you?” said Richard softly.
“How about a tour?”
He gripped my shoulders as I swayed. “Talk to me.”
I couldn’t say it. That my life had been stained with an incident I still blamed myself for. Maybe had I gone with Reese to Chile, she’d have remained safe.
I’d learned to live with my past, but it hadn’t learned to live with me.
I hated all the uncertainty.
What Lilly had shared with me in the foyer café seemed inconceivable.
