“No, you don’t,” Reid argued. “When I was getting her out of that house, I overheard Clay saying it would be easier if they just killed her.”
The room went quiet again for a few heartbeats until everyone tried asking questions at once.
Reid got them all to quiet down and he went into detail over what we’d both overheard. “The housekeeper didn’t even look shocked when he said it, either.”
“I still don’t know who these Carmichael people are,” Bram said, beyond frustrated.
“Sharon is Brandon’s mother and Brandon is…” Roe sounded as if he was trying to find the right thing to say.
“A piece of shit?” Reid offered at the same time Wyatt said, “An asshole?”
“Yes to both of those,” Roe agreed, and I could hear a little bit of smile in his voice. It disappeared as he continued speaking. “I don’t want to say that he’s Lottie’s boyfriend.”
“He never deserved that title,” Wyatt said.
“Lottie’s mother and Brandon’s parents want Lottie and Brandon to get married,” Roe explained. “According to Lottie, it’s mutually beneficial for their families. Lottie has been against it from the start, but has felt like she’s had no choice in the matter. Brandon, on the other hand, has had a thing for Lottie for a while and has been taking full advantage of the arrangement.”
“From what you overheard, Reid, it sounds like Lottie’s mother really wants this arranged marriage to happen. Something big must be on the line,” Wyatt deduced.
Twenty million dollars.I almost said it out loud. I wasn’t completely sure it was true or just a lie Sharon had used to pressure me to be obedient and give in to her son’sneeds.
I didn’t want to think about it.
I just wanted to disappear.
Pulling my hand from Roe’s, I covered my ears.
“Lottie?” I could still hear Roe say. So I pressed harder. It was childish, but I couldn’t take it anymore.
A big hand covered one of mine before I heard Bram’s muffled voice. “I think we should take a break from this discussion.”
No one argued.
I felt Bram lean closer. “It’s going to be all right. Just rest.” Despite being muffled, I knew he was trying to be reassuring and offer comfort. His thumb rubbed back and forth on the back of my hand as he continued to tell me that I was safe and everything was going to be okay.
When he said, “I won’t let them hurt you again,” I eased up on the pressure I was putting on my ears. He said it with such confidence that it made me want to believe him, even if it was just for a little while. I was so exhausted and hurt. Why else would I ignore the many times I had been let down before?
The more I listened to his deep voice and promises, the more I relaxed. As I felt myself drifting, I told myself that when I woke up, I would not be disappointed.
Chapter Three
His hands around my neck,squeezing so hard. There was so much pressure behind my eyes, and I kept trying to inhale only to meet a wall.
He was killing me. I knew I should fight. I should claw and smack him. Do anything to try and stop him. Instead, I just lay there staring past him at the white ceiling, ready for it to be over.
Just as I felt myself slipping away, I heard Mother’s voice. “Don’t kill her.”
My eyes shot open to another, unfamiliar white ceiling. I felt disoriented. Before I even thought to look around, I hoarsely called out for Roe. It was a little easier to talk. It still hurt, but it was bearable.
“He went home,” said Bram’s deep, tired voice. “Along with Wyatt.”
I turned my head toward him. Bram was sitting in a wood and brown leather armchair next to the bed. He looked as tired as he sounded. There was a blanket draped over his shoulders; he must have been sitting with me for quite a while.
They left me here.
I had known disappointment and loneliness all my life. I should have been used to them, but right now they felt too heavy to bear.
“Are you upset they’re not here?” Bram asked, making me wonder if I had let my feelings show.
