Page 184 of Like Grim Death: Part One
I glance at the three stalls, black doors half open, three rows of white sinks across from them, mirrors above each one. Turning, I catch sight of my own reflection in a floor-length mirror along the wall across from the couch.
There are slight circles under my eyes, and a few strands of hair slipped free from my French braid. It would be a good style to wear swimming but clearly Maverick doesn’t want to do that with me.
I cross my arms over my chest, a chill down my spine, thinking of his cold tone. The way we left things last night, after what he did for me. Would he want me to tell him everything I just learned, no matter the tension between us? Or would he only push me away again if I tried?
Then I hear heels clacking against tile and I jump, stepping back further into the cavernous bathroom, lit softly with pale purple lights.
My heart races as my fingers come to my throat. This hall was silent. Then again, there is a basket full of condoms, so someone must know it’s here. Still, the tall, lean girl with the bleached-blonde pixie cut and bright blue eyes who walks through isn’t at all who I expected.
Brooklin Astor.
She stops dead when she sees me.
The tension that was between us in the car seems to expand, almost to the point of bursting.
I drop my gaze to avoid hers and my eyes trail over her outfit. She’s got on black, leather pants, straight legged that hit just above the navy-blue heels strapped twice around her ankles. Wearing a white crop top showing a narrow waist, golden skin, she has the same complexion as her brother. Over her shirt is a distressed jean jacket, big hoop earrings in her ears, and more studded along her cartilage.
Just like I noticed in Sid’s car, I see what Atlas saw in her.
Jeremiah too.
She’s stunning.
“I thought you were babysitting,” I blurt out, noticing Rain isn’t with her and wondering if Sid decided to take him downstairs after all.
Her perfectly arched brows pull together as she lifts her chin. Her short hair shows off the lean lines of her face and her sculpted cheekbones. Her and Maverick are genetically blessed.
“And I thought you were here as my brother’s pet. Or are you two still fighting?”
I bristle with those words. I know there’s a deep animosity between them, and we aren’t friends. She probably thinks of me as an enemy, actually, but I didn’t expect her to be so… rude. And I thought after I stood up to her in the car, she’d leave me alone.
I guess not.
“That’s none of your fucking business.” I feel nervous saying the words, but I get them out all the same.
She smiles a little, but before she can say anything else, I ask, “Where’s Rain?”
That’s important to know, especially considering what Sid just told me.
As my mind works in overdrive, I wonder if she ever speaks to Atlas. If things are as strained between them as they are with her and her brother, and me, by extension. It surprises me she’s forged some kind of relationship with Sid. Or maybe it’s not Sid. Maybe she simply takes satisfaction in becoming friends with Jeremiah’s worst enemy.
She starts walking again, ignoring me as she strides straight for the mirror above the middle sink. Examining her reflection, a slight frown pulls on her pink lips as she does. I wonder what imperfections she thinks she sees.
“Sleeping,” she finally answers me, dismissively. I glance at the maze of walls leading out into the hallway.
“Shouldn’t you be…watching him?” I don’t know anything about babies, but he’s only a couple of months old.
Where the children go to die.
The words echo inside my head.
She sighs loudly, turning to stare at me, her hands on her hips, her abs flexing with the movement. Then she shakes her head, one manicured hand coming to the collar of her jacket as she pulls it aside. I see something clipped onto the neckline of her white top. Like a… walkie talkie, but smaller and sleeker.
She releases her jacket, and it’s covered again. “Baby monitor,” she says as if I’m stupid, arching one brow.
My face feels hot. “Oh.” I avert my eyes, running one hand over my bare arm. “Sorry, I—”
“I see,” she says, murmuring those words almost to herself. I lift my gaze, confused. Gesturing toward me with dainty fingers, swirling one in my general direction, she adds,“Thisis why he’s still fascinated with her.”
