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“Father said Andrew is taking over, so…” I shrugged, my mouth getting the best of me.
My mother’s eyes narrowed at me. If looks could kill, I would be a puddle of nothing but blood and bone, my flesh removed from me by just her glare. “Is that what you want?”
I licked my lips, the fuel of anger I wanted to unleash drawn to the surface. “Does it matter what Iwant, Mother?”
We stared at one another for a palpable second, her dark eyes a mirror of my own. Her frown deepened as she dragged her stare over me. “Next week for tea, I expect you to be conversing, participating, and better dressed.” She took a step toward me.
Before I could react, she yanked the scarf from my throat.
My jaw dropped open, just as hers did. I froze, swallowing down the mixture of emotions threatening to expel the contents of my stomach.
“What…” my mother met my eyes, fear glossed over her amber irises.
I bit at my lip, tears collecting on my waterline. My confession sat on my lips, ready to spill out.Mommy, I need help,I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw myself into her arms like the little girl I was.
“What did you do?” Her words hit me like a train.
All sense of safety she could offer ceased to exist as the accusation she threw. What didIdo? Because the first reaction I would have if my daughter came to me covered in bruises—bruises that showcased someone choking them—would be to ask her what she did to cause it.
I snatched the scarf from her hand, wrapping it around my neck once more. “None of your business,” I said, gritting my teeth. “You have tea to attend to, Mother.” With those final words, I walked out of the small office room. Why would I even entertain the idea that she would care? No one would.
Sofya,I thought.
Not in control of my own actions, I watched myself, disconnected from my body. I swiped one of the suite keys from behind the desk and made my way to the twelfth floor. My mother didn’t follow me. Instead, she went back to tea. I could see it now. She would sit down and relay some excuse about how I wasn’t feeling well, or how my father needed me to attend to some hotel fiasco—but not that big of a fiasco that they should concern or alarm themselves with.
The elevator dinged, and I ran out without looking. I pushed through the crowd, blinded by hot tears. I scanned the key, stepping into the large, immaculate suite, and closed the door behind me before sliding down the wood.
My hands shook as I typed in her number through route memory. The ring was deafening as it droned on for longer than I wanted.
“Hey, this is Sofya. Leave a message at the beep, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Her voice was sweet and calming. But I neededherto answer. I needed her to tell me things would be okay, and she would help me pick up the pieces.
I called again, the ring continuing.
“Hey, this is Sofya. Leave a message at the bee?—”
I hung up.
How could I expect her to help me pick up the pieces when she was also in shambles? After Daniel, she’d disappeared. I didn’t blame her, I couldn’t. Not with how things ended with him.
I scrolled through my contacts, Lexi’s name being the first favorited one.
Anger roared as I threw my phone across the room and tucked my knees to my chest. If she had just shown up that night, this wouldn’t be happening.
Chapter 12
Kai
“Do we have to do this tonight?” I complained, placing an extra knife on my hip. Night gave us some cover. We had the trunk popped near the darkest corner of the house.
Logan glanced over at me as he loaded his gun. “Got a hot date or something?”
I fought off embarrassment, frustrated that this was still my life. “No, I just thought I would check in on Audry.” It had been a few days since I talked with her, and I had a nagging in the back of my brain to do so.
“So, yes then,” Logan jabbed.
I shrugged. “It isn’t like that,”
“Mhmm…” Logan rolled his lips into his mouth. “You’ll need more thanthat.” He pointed to my small blade.
