AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If she did know…I feel she would be acting a lot different,” Liam muttered.
“Unless she doesn’t know about who we are…” Logan trailed off.
“Do we tell her?” I asked. The silence grew as each of us got trapped in our own heads. What she didn’t know could still brutally torture and maim her. But, if she did know…
Chapter 11
Audry
“Audry.” My mother stared at me over the tops of her glasses. She peered at me with a vicious sneer hidden behind her sweet political smile. She was poison wrapped in honey and ready to rip my head off. “You’re late.”
The large dining area was stifling hot as everyone’s eyes landed on me.
“Sorry, Mother,” I muttered, my lips curling into the best I could offer as a smile. The other ladies gathered at the table, unknowing of the secret conversation transpiring. I shifted on my feet as I fought the urge to run.
Late again, Audry. Disappointing,her stare said to me. The words weren’t necessary.
I have a good excuse,I would argue. But instead, I just looked at her, waiting for her to take her seat again.
The hotel restaurant was the best in the city. Renowned for its discretion, along with its chef. I glanced at the crowd of people, mostly the Ladies League. There were a few other groups gathered along the outskirts of the large, open hall. A group of men, who always smelled of cigars, talked in hushed whispers in the far corner. A couple argued, trying their best not todraw attention to themselves. And a larger family passed around plates, laughing and planning their day.
Wait staff hurried around, their black shirts ironed to perfection, and their aprons wrapped around their waist devoid of any spots. My father ran a tight—tyrannical—ship, thanks to Mother.
“Sit, dear,” the old woman, Marisol, said. She sat to my right, smiling widely. Marisol was my favorite of all of them. She was down to earth, always wore sandals, and didn’t give a rat’s ass about what anyone else thought. I had known her since high school and had spent many late nights hiding out at her place with Sofya.
I adjusted the blue dress Carson let me borrow, and I took my seat. I played with the high hem, twisting it in my hands.
The ladies continued gossiping while Marisol stole a few glances my way.
I squirmed under her gaze, not enjoying being watched. Adrenaline still coursed heavily through my body, never leaving me since last night.
My hand gripped the wooden table tightly, my nails digging into it as flashbacks assaulted me.
He assaulted me,I thought, heat rising to my cheeks.
The scent of cigarettes and booze returned as the group of men lit up inside, doing nothing to help the overwhelming anxiety. No one would tell them not to, but I prayed someone would complain.
I’ve been watching you, you know,the hiss of his voice was as if he was next to me. I wiped my head around, trying to track him down—my tormentor.
Marisol grabbed my hand, anchoring me to reality. I stared at her with wide, wild eyes. She returned it with a sweet grin and a knowing stare.
Did she know I’d killed a man?The thought boiled inside me, heating my insides. My skin crawled, an itchy feeling flooding my system. I doubt Marisol’s first thought would be me being a murderer.
“Audry?” my mother said. “Can you help me in the kitchen for a moment? I would like to double-check the menu.”
Translation:You are being fucking weird and embarrassing me. But I won’t yell at you in public.
“Of course, happy to help,” I said.
Marisol gave my hand a grandmotherly squeeze before letting me up. I followed on my mother’s heels toward the kitchen, the anxiety growing as I passed through the crowd of people.
The bustling kitchen was hotter than outside, but as we turned the corner into the office, the beautiful air conditioning welcomed me.
“When you come to tea, I expect you to be present,” my mother started, closing the office door in a hurry. Her pink dress stood out against her flawless tanned skin. Andrew took after her with the brunette, straight hair. Meanwhile, I had her hips and her lips, two things she hated most about me. She had always been jealous of the genetic lottery I got: the best of my mother and the best of my father.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I said, crossing my arms. I didn’t want to sit through another lecture—by her or by my father. But I was trapped in the small little alcove. At least the crowd was gone. In solitude, minus the monster taking over my mother’s body, I felt safer and more relaxed.
“Present andattentive.Participate, for god’s sake, Audry.” My mother placed her hands on her hips. “Your father expects you to lead this hotel of his, but you will do nothing but drive it into the floor if you aren’t prepared.”
