“You remember her, don’t you? I had her send you an invite,” he says, his eyes on mine, gauging my reaction.
“Never got it.” She hasn’t contacted me since I had security drag her out of the office. Didn’t even try to convince me that the favor I owed her couldn’t be fulfilled by listening to what she wanted from me. Maybe she doesn’t need the two million so badly after all. Or perhaps her pride couldn’t handle any more abuse. Regardless, I can’t decide if I’m disappointed, relieved, irritated or happy that she’s staying away.
“Disobedient little bitch.” He glares at me, as though somehow it’s my fault I didn’t get the invite. “Have you ever heard her sing?”
I deliberately keep my expression relaxed. She hummed for me when I was suffering from nightmares involving Mom. When Fiona cradled me like she’d protect me from the old memories of Mom’s treachery and softly crooned nameless tunes with her lips so close to my temple I could feel the heat from her mouth, I could breathe easy and sink into her warm comfort. Guess that was also something Fiona and Jude laughed about. “She sings like shit.”
“No. She sings like an angel. You just have to coax her a little. Or, you know, she has to care about you.” The nasty smile on his lips reaches his eyes as he scrutinizes my reaction. “I guess it was neither in your case.”
I give him a cool stare that betrays nothing, even though my insides seethe.
A triumphant glint flashes in Jude’s eyes. He knows he’s hit a sore spot. “Jealous, aren’t you? She’s picking me, just like she did before,” he says, then laughs as though he’s thrilled he’s scoring a point against me after all these years. “What’s it like to know she’s mine—that she was mine even when you thought she was yours?”
I shoot him a condescending look. “Only a fool believes a woman’s heart is worth anything, Jude. It’s fickle, vicious and useless. Still, I’m happy for you. Guess she didn’t tell you that you were hersecondchoice.”
The smugness fades. “You’re lying.”
“Oh, no. She came to me first.Beggedme. On her knees. You should’ve seen how pretty she looked.”
His face turns red; his hands clench. He’d throw a punch if he thought he could get away with it.
My smile grows genuine as I slap his shoulder, like we’re best buddies. “She only went to you because I turned her down, Jude. But taking in garbage I don’t want suits you, man. It’s like you were born for the role.”
He stares at me, disbelief and outrage rolling over his face. His reaction is laughable. Did he think I’d have nothing to say? Or that I’d let him walk all over me?
I straighten his shirt, smoothing the collar down a bit, then step back. “Have a happy wedding.”
Chapter Eight
Bryce
A soft touch on my shoulder from behind. I start, then spin on my feet.
“You can’t run from me forever.”
The words are said in an even softer voice, but my mouth dries anyway. Mom stands before me, looking as beautiful as ever, her blue eyes on me. Her small smile is full of a satisfaction so deep it spikes my veins with anxiety.
I’m not a helpless child anymore, I tell myself. I’m an adult now, bigger and stronger than her. She can’t drag me away. Not now, not ever. She has no hold over me—
“You used to be so adorable and cute—a good boy. But look at you now. All big and grown. So respectable and wonderful.” She takes a step forward, then another. “Still a perfect, good boy.”
I’m rooted to the spot, my legs feeling like lead. I raise my palm. “Stop.”
“Why? I’ve waited so long for our reunion.”
“I never want to see you again.”
An incredulous laugh erupts from her chest. She grips my hand. “But you’re seeing me now, aren’t you?”
My skin crawls at her touch. Her skin is buttery soft and smooth, butit only makes me want to recoil. I try to pull away, but she holds firm and I can’t free myself.What the fuck?
“You’re mine.”
Panic swells.No.
Suddenly, someone else grips my free hand. “Bryce.”
I turn and gaze into Fiona’s green-gold eyes, which slide to Mom for a second before she turns her focus on me.What’s she doing here?Her warm grip chases away the chill Mom’s touch brought. The dread in my belly eases, and the anxiety recedes.
