Page 11 of Shattered Souls
Despite the circumstances, sick satisfaction floods my veins as, for the first time, genuine fear bleeds into Lydia’s expression. She takes a step back, cowering tomefor once. I’m not stupid enough to believe my threats are enough to intimidate her, but given that the last thing she’d want is lawyers snooping around looking for a child she no longer has guardianship of, sheshouldbe scared.
I mean, what the fuck did she think would happen once she sold my daughter? Did she believe she could hide behind Bertram and his money? What the fuck was her end game?
The flash of fear disappears as quickly as it arrives, her face hardening once more. “Just stop flirting with myhusband. Don’t think I don’t notice how you flutter your eyes at him—that whole shy, innocent act you put on to get his attention,” she seethes. “Make your excuses and leave, and I’ll let you have five minutes with Aurora next weekend.”
It’s fucked up how my heart skips a beat, and hope—the fickle bitch—beats a drum in my chest. For a second, Ialmostbelieve she can make that happen. Iwantto believe it so fucking bad that I agree before the reality of the situation has caught up to me.
The grim reality is that shecan’tmake that happen because my daughter no longer lives with her.
Instead, she’s god knows where, doing god knows what, with god knows who.
My head is still spinning from the emotional whiplash as Lydia marches out of the bathroom. Moving to the sinks, I place my palms against the granite countertop and stare at myself in the mirror, giving myself a moment before I have to go back out there.
Closing my eyes, I hang my head.It’s nearly over,I tell myself.All I have to do is go out there and make my excuses. Then I’m done.
With a final, deep inhale, I open my eyes. Staring at my reflection, I nod before grabbing my clutch and walking out of the bathroom.
And straight into a hard chest.
4
RILEY
Large hands grasp my shoulders as I rebound backward into the bathroom door, momentarily stunned. Fear renders me paralyzed for a second, thinking Bertram has taken advantage of my moment alone to corner me. However, as I lift my head, it isn’t his malicious face that I’m met with. No, this face has similar features, but they don’t come together to form Bertram’s grotesque shape.
Instead, it’s Grayson’s hard stare that greets me. He looks pissed. Actually, that’s an understatement. He lookslivid.Downright murderous.
I’d be afraid, except the way that he’s slowly reeling me into his arms until I’m tucked against his chest, something fragile and precious to be protected, quells any panic.
“We only have a moment, but when your mother returned to the table without you, I needed to make sure you were okay,” he murmurs against my ear. “What did she say to you?”
“Nothing worth repeating,” I whisper, sinking into his embrace. It still throws me when Grayson is sweet like this. It’s almost like he’s two people. For the most part, he’s the raging, possessive asshole who loves to drive me crazy. Then, when I’mright on the verge of dick-punching him, he reveals this softer, caring side and ultimately throws me for a loop.
“Did your dad say anything?”
“Nothing useful.”
While I was arguing with my mom, Grayson was trying to figure out his father’s angle. Whatisthis game that he’s playing?
“So tonight was a bust,” I sigh. “Can we get out of here now?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Pulling back from our embrace, he drops his hand to mine, quickly squeezing it. “You go back to the table first. I’ll be right behind you.”
I nod before walking out of the hallway where the bathrooms are and back into the restaurant. I’ve barely taken my seat at the table before I see him striding across the restaurant, his stare fixed on us. However, his eyes aren’t the only ones I feel on me.
“This has been… lovely,” he states once he reaches the table. He remains standing, fingers curling around the back of his chair as he continues, “But I have to head out.” He glances my way. “Riley, can I give you a lift somewhere?”
“That would be?—”
“No need,” Bertram intervenes with a tight smile and a tick in his jaw. “I’m happy to give her a ride home when we’re finished.”
Yeah, no fucking way.
“Nonsense,” Grayson retorts, his charismatic smile still glued in place. “I’m sure you two lovebirds would rather have some time alone, and it’s a perfect opportunity for Riley and me toget to know each other.”
“That would be perfect, Grayson,” my mother purrs, jumping on the opportunity as she clamps her hand possessively around Bertram’s arm. “You’re such a sweetheart.” With her bright, plastic smile still in place, her eyes slide to mine and harden in warning.
