Page 50 of Bared Betrayal
In…one, two, three
“Still going through with the wedding, I see.”
My breath hitches when I hear his voice behind me.
I sigh. “I don’t have the strength tonight, Gabriel. Please leave me alone.”
“You know, for the person who threw this little shindig, you sure don’t seem to be enjoying it.”
“I didn’t throw it.” I keep my gaze on the people below. “This is all Elenor.”
“That makes sense.” His voice is much closer to me now. “The gaudiness screams Elenor Stone.”
“She is planning it all. I have been booted from my own wedding plans.” I scoff out a laugh.
“Why are you allowing it?”
“Because she’s Elenor Stone.”
“Why are you out here, Kallie?” He is right behind me now. I can feel his heat through the thin fabric of my dress.
“Because I’m suffocating down there.” I inhale deeply. “I need to be alone, Gabriel. Why did you follow me?”
“Brides-to-be who shy away from guests and run upstairs pique my interest.”
“Love the sarcasm,” I say, unamused.
“I saw you come up here and wanted to check on you.” His breath brushes along my neck, his lips just behind my ear as he rests his hands on the rail on either side of me, caging me in.
“So, you came to check on your future daughter-in-law? How sweet.”
“It should be my son up here with you, but it seems he is otherwise…engaged.” His voice carries a hint of sarcasm, and as if right on cue, I hear Sebastian’s laugh from below, and I look down. Surrounded by his new ‘friends,’ all Hollywood up-and-comers, actors, directors, and the like, Sebastian beams with pride. Happiness. Enjoying every minute. I can’t help but feel sick to my stomach as I watch him bask in the attention of people who only came here to see and be seen. People who hide their true intentions behind fake laughter and counterfeit compliments.
I tighten my arms in front of my chest, the black tentacles of anxiety slowly tightening around my throat.
Although it pains me, I can’t ignore the screams inside my head saying things haven’t been as they seem between Sebastian and me. Watching him interact with all these people he’s just met, I wonder if who I thought I knew was ever really there at all. I had so much faith in the person I thought he was, faith I never gave anyone else. Now it seems like a foolish decision.
Look at me, being a class A fucking hypocrite, feeling sorry for myself because I suspect I don’t know my fiancé at all when I know for a fact that Sebastian doesn’t have a clue who I am.
Maybe I deserve this. I deserve the bite of uncertainty and the sting of doubt. I deserve agony and torment. My misery is justified by my past and inability to save my little sister. Maya.
I try to shake off the thoughts of her before it consumes me, but the memories have sharp talons that refuse to let go. Her pale face and glassy eyes flash in front of me, and it’s as real as it was that day I watched as they cut her lifeless body down from the spiral staircase. The day she ended her life.
Tears prick at my eyes, the voices and screaming in my head growing louder, angrier.
Abruptly, Gabriel grabs my waist and forces me to turn and face him. His blue eyes are like burning stars in the blackest of nights—beautiful and chaotic all at once. There’s a different world in his eyes, one I’m desperate to escape in.
“Where are you?” he asks, dragging the back of his hand down my cheek.
“I’m here.”
His eyes narrow, and he leans closer. “What happened last time you lied to me?”
“Are you going to spank me on this balcony with your son right there?” I challenge.
“Would that calm you?” He gently wipes a wisp of hair from my face. “Would my belt bring you the peace you’re searching for up here on this balcony, alone in the dark?”
I break eye contact and look down, afraid he might see the truth in my eyes.
