Page 31 of Sweet Poison

I can almost hear the loud thud of my heart as he looks at me with angry eyes and all.

It doesn’t matter because the way he’s looking at me seems as if he can see right through me and as if he could listen to the sound of my heart beating.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My silly heart booms.

He always could listen to more than words could say.

Only him.

Chapter

Ten

SWEET GRINCH

Willow

“I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree…” — M

As I step off the elevator and onto my floor, I’m still trying to make sense of everything that’s just happened. Madden. The dinner he hijacked and the way he acted as if I weren’t one of the researchers working on his grounds but someone he once knew and still remembers.

The confetti cake.

The way he commanded the dinner and how he made sure I got what I had asked for.

He did all that, and my mind is still reeling, struggling to make sense of any of it. Maybe I shouldn’t read too much into it, but I can’t help myself. I’ve always been this way, overthink everything.

I sigh and try to not think about him or the dinner anymore.

As the elevator doors close behind me I notice the hallway is quiet, almost too quiet, but then I hear raised voices echoing from the direction of my door. Curiosity piques, and I quicken my pace because one of those voices I know all too well.

My uncle.

Turning the corner, I spot my uncle Cianne standing in front of our suite’s doors, dressed in all white and a cocktail drink in his hand and a crooked elf hat on his head. His clothes are slightly disheveled and his face is flushed with irritation. What is going on?

Beside him stands a large man in uniform looking nervous and visibly trembling under uncle Cianne’s harsh gaze.

“Who the fuck is Mr. Hunt?” Uncle Cianne’s voice is a growl, laced with frustration. “What is this shite? Why can’t I enter my room?”

The man stammers, his eyes darting between my very angry uncle and the door. “Again. My apologies, sir, but Mr. Hunt asked for Miss O’Sullivan to be moved to one of the luxury suites on the top floor tonight.”

Mr. Hunt requested what? Madden?

I open and close my mouth, unable to form words as I process what the man just said.

Uncle Cianne’s jaw tightens, his demeanor growing more menacing. “Who the fuck is Mr. Hunt and why the fuck is he requesting shite that concerns my niece?” Uncle is turning red and I know what will follow.

He turns into the hulk… literally. My uncle is nicest of all the men in my family but when he’s pissed off? May someone help the poor soul caught in his way. This time the staff member looks about ready to collapse but before that happens I intervene.

Stepping forward, my presence causes both men to look up. One looks absolutely terrified and miserable and the other looks angry as hell yet a bit relieved to see me standing there.Uncle Cianne’s eyes meet mine. “Uncle? What’s going on?” I sign, trying to get him to ease up on the poor man. “Please stop terrorizing the man.” Uncle Cianne’s gaze softens slightly as he sees me. “Willow,” he says, his tone shifting from anger to tenderness like a switch. “Did you have a good time?”

“It was fun,” I sign, then add. “And as if you didn’t spy on me from a distance.” I tease which makes him smile.

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