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“I thought he was drunk at the funeral. That’s how some people deal with their emotions. We asked if he wanted any help sorting through their belongings, but he said no, so we left.”
I stand and pace behind my desk, his words slowly sinking in as I try to interpret each word. Was I left with my uncle? Or was he not capable of taking me in and that’s why they didn’t know about me? Is my uncle still alive? Could things have turned out differently if I had been raised by George and Miriam?
As if he needs to fill the silence, George continues, “Eliza’s parents had died when she was twenty-one, and it wasn’t long after that, that she met William. They were both backpacking through Europe.” There’s a sense of longing in his voice, as if he wishes he could go back to those times. “I remember when William called me to tell me about her. He was so excited to tell his older brother that he’d finally met the woman he was going to ma—”
“I need you to leave.” This is all too much. I’ve been so wrong about it all.
I’m done with listening to him remember people I never got to meet.
My legs carry me to the minibar in the corner of the room. I need something strong to numb the ache building in my chest.
George is still in his seat when I turn around. He waits for me to take a seat before he says, “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Well, I didn’t ask you if you did.” My anger rises. “I need you to leave.Now,” I bellow.
We stare at each other, both refusing to back down. I knock back my drink, turning to refill my glass again. As I face him, a look of sympathy flits across his face and he breathes out a heavy sigh, standing from his seat.
He studies me for the longest time, then reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out a bundle of papers, dropping them onto the desk. “I think, more than ever, that you’re the right person to take over Sanctuary. Please, call me when you’ve taken the time to wrap your head around this. It’s a lot for me to process, so I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now.” He pauses. “Especially if you thoughtIwas your father. God, Sebastian, I wish I was. He would be so proud of you and all you’ve achieved. They both would.”
With one last look and a rap of his knuckles on the mahogany of the desk, he walks out my office door. My nostrils flare as I empty the contents of my glass, throwing it at the wall.
It’s the only way I can vent the anger that’s built up inside of me over everything I thought I knew being a lie. The very foundation of who I am, is alie.
I need to get out of here. Pulling my jacket off of the back of my chair, I swing open the door to my office. It bounces back on the wall with the force.
My stride falters when I reach the entryway. Alex is standing next to the couch, a frown tugging on her brow.
“George and Miriam left abruptly. Is everything okay?”
“Just go home, Alex. I don’t know why you’re still here.”
She steps back as though I’ve slapped her. “What’s happened?”
I ignore her because if I stay, I might say something I’ll regret, and I already hate myself for pulling her into this farce. She calls out my name, hurt and desperation coating her words.
I don’t stop. I can’t.
She’s too good for me. She always has been.
THIRTY-ONE
Alex
I’ve slept alone, in my own bed, the last five nights. Each night I’ve spent more time awake, wondering what Sebastian was doing, than I have been sleeping.
My mind replays the way George came out of Bastian’s office, a look of worry on his face that he couldn’t hide quick enough. He took Miriam’s coat and ushered her through the door before I could ask if everything was okay.
Sebastian left that night, and I haven’t seen him since. That was five days ago and the reason I’m sitting in the back of an Uber on my way to Passion.
Something isn’t right, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. I’ve given him enough time to figure out what the hell is happening and come home.Back to me. It’s time we talked about everything that went down and where we go from here.
The car pulls up outside, and in hindsight I probably should have come in the daytime. The music pounds out onto the sidewalk as I walk up to the entrance. Nerves dance in my stomach as I get closer.
“Hey, Alex. You on your own tonight?” Matt, the bouncer, asks as I approach him.
“Just here to see the boss.”
Matt is one of three bouncers. He’s my favorite, but mostly because he’s a giant teddy bear, quite literally. He stands at an imposing six foot six and has tattoo’s covering his arms and snaking up his neck. Although he looks like he could snap your neck with one hand, he has the biggest heart.
