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William’s face raises from his phone, his features tightening as soon as I mention Damian’s name. He releases a long sigh and closes his eyes, nodding. “Yes, he is.” He opens his eyes, his stare intense.
“How? Did Mike know? I don’t remember seeing Damian at Anderson Academy.”
William sighs and grabs the ottoman, pulling it closer to the bed. He sits, running his hand through his flaxen hair, then blows out a deep breath. “Same father, different mothers. And no, Mike didn’t know. Damian went to public school, not private.” His muscles tense and his face tightens, his eyes taking on a far-away glaze. “He lived in the servant’s quarters. I didn’t know he was my half-brother until I was nine years old and heard my parents arguing.” His brows lower and he blows out a frustrated breath. “Damian and I used to be friends when we were children. But once I found out my dad had an affair and he was the result, I treated him differently.” William’s face is full of shame as he rubs his hands together. “He grew to resent and hate me.”
Chills course down my spine.Oh shit. If he hates William, this sounds like a revenge gig.
“You brought up Damian and Max.” I swallow hard, my heart squeezing inside my chest. Fisting my shirt, I take a deep breath. “Did they…” My voice cracks and breaks. I stare at my nails, having a strong desire to chew on them, despite giving up that disgusting habit years ago. Blowing out a breath, I say, “Was there a confrontation?”
William lets out a deep breath. “Irelynn, I have to tell you something. I’ll admit I’ve deceived and manipulated you over the years. But I swear on my life that I had nothing to do with this.” He looks down, staring at his hands for several beats before meeting my gaze. “Damian went into the warehouse behind Max.” He swallows hard. “He is the one who put a bomb inside and… destroyed it.”
Tears course down my cheek. “W-w-was M-M-Max inside?” I can barely get the words out, my heart breaking as I imagine… I squeeze my eyes closed, images of Max’s handsome, loving face flashing before my eyes.
William’s hand grasps mine, causing me to open my eyes and look at him. “I don’t know what is going on yet, but I will go down there and talk to the fire department and police if you will be okay?”
My mind races furiously. I’m desperate to go with William to see if Max is in the warehouse, but I know he won’t allow it. Even if I could convince him to let me go along, William would stand in the way of me getting to Max.
Maybe I can talk to Emma while William is at the warehouse and figure out an escape plan.
I shake my head. “Yes, I’ll be fine.” I choke on my sob, my hands covering my mouth.
He stares at me skeptically, his brows raised. He doesn’t move, just simply sits there, watching me.
Clearing my throat, I grab the box of tissues that still sit beside me on the bed. Wiping my face, I look at him, my expression hopeful. “Can Emma sit in here with me while you are gone?”
A slow smile covers his face and he nods, relief easing the hardness of his features. “Yes, that would be fine.” His fingers move across his phone and a few seconds later, it beeps. “Emma is on her way to your room.”
I try not to cringe.My room. Hell, no.
Giving him a weak, fake smile, my gaze moves to the door when Emma steps through, a slight smile on her face when she makes eye contact with me.
It fades as she looks at William and puts on the professional mask that she usually wears.
William nods at her, then looks at me. “I’ll be back soon.” He stares at me for a few beats, as though he wants to say something. Standing, he pushes the ottoman in front of the chair. Spinning on his heel, he leaves the room, locking the door behind him.
Emma moves to the chair, looking ill at ease. Her fingers wrap around her necklace, twisting it, as she stares at the television on my wall. I had forgotten it’s on since it’s been muted for quite some time. After I press the volume button and the sound of the TV fills the room, Emma’s limbs visibly relax into the chair.
“Do you want the ottoman?” I gesture to where it sits beside my bed.
Emma looks over at it, then at me. “I don’t want to put you out, dear.”
Before she can move, I slide off the bed, grabbing it and carrying it over to her, placing it in front of her. She protests when I grab her ankles and help her put her feet up.
“You have taken care of me since the moment I arrived.” I raise my brows and give her a soft smile. “I think you deserve to be taken care of, too.”
Her cheeks are pink as she smiles at me. “Miss Irelynn?” I stop adjusting her feet, leaning back on my heels, waiting for her to continue. She heaves out a long sigh. “I’m really sorry about everything.”
Dropping her necklace that she’d previously been toying with, she shifts in the chair. “You are the sweetest girl, reminding me of my daughter, Bristol.” Her eyes cloud over, her mind lost somewhere in the past. “She passed away when she was sixteen.”
My gaze is full of sympathy as I lean forward, my hand moving to her ankle. “I’m sorry.”
She nods. “Thank you. I miss her every day.”
My heart pangs inside my chest. “What happened to her?”
She turns her head sharply, swallowing rapidly. “I didn’t listen. I was defiant without being smart enough about it.”
Goosebumps erupted all over my body. “Emma, what do you mean by that? Did someone… harm her?”
