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She scoffs. “Of course I do. Cinita Aetos.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “She was a girl from our orphanage.”
The old bitch rolls her eyes. “Nothing good came from that place, I swear. I don’t even know how they got back in touch.”
I don’t bite back at her underhanded comment. Because Alek and I would never be good enough. She’s harder on me because I’m a woman in the man’s world she stepped away from for reasons I don’t entirely understand. Someone as power- and money-hungry as Meredith does not simply slip away. Or perhaps I’ve never truly understood Meredith at all.
“Do you plan to do anything about it?” she asks me. “Or do you plan to fuck your boyfriend here and pretend everything is okay in la-la land?”
“Boyfriend does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” River says, ignoring her insult. It further pisses me off.
“He’s an acquaintance, nothing more,” I remind him and her.
“Nothing more, huh?” River says with a smirk. The old bitch is watching us like a hawk, and I can tell she doesn’t like what she sees. I’m not sure I entirely do either. I stand and push the stool back.
“Of course I’m trying to find him. You know more than anyone how difficult it can be to find Alek when he chooses not to be found.”
She scoffs at that, probably remembering how Alek and I were as mischievous children and ungrateful teenagers.
“Since I don’t have anything to update you about Alek, we’re leaving. Good luck with your muffins.”
“You may be a boss, Anya, but you will treat me with more respect,” she scolds. “Don’t think you are untouchable.”
I offer a sharp smile. “Mother, that almost sounds like a threat.”
“Don’t think you’re too old to not have your ass handed to you,” she quips.
“I’d like to see you try,” I reply as I lean across the counter, a flash of adrenaline coursing through me as both our gazes dip to the gun between us.
“Have a good evening, Meredith,” I say as I push off the counter and turn my back to her. River quietly follows, and it’s strange in the way he was silent for most of the conversation. Then again, that shouldn’t have been a conversation he was a part of. It’s no secret Alek is missing. But I wonder if he will exploit me with the knowledge of who my foster mother truly is.
We put our shoes on and walk out the front door.
“Is it always like that between you and Meredith?” he asks.
“Sometimes we throw knives at a target for sport. You don’t do that with your mother?” I ask, and I can tell he doesn’t know if I’m joking or not. I’m not.
“So, are you going to fuck me now so we can be done with this arrangement?” I ask.
He chuckles as he opens the car door for me. “Don’t get your panties in a twist at me, Red. I told you to stay at dinner, didn’t I?”
CHAPTER 27
River
Itake her back to her place. She eyes me suspiciously as I stop the car but make no move to get out.
“I didn’t agree to my place,” she says.
“I know.”
“So why are we back here?”
“Because I’m dropping you off, not fucking you.”
“Fuck me, you’re worse than a woman. Can you just make up your mind?” She whips her seat belt off. She’s been in a sour mood since leaving Meredith’s. All the snide remarks and digs the woman tossed Anya’s way were obvious.
Anya having a man in her life is obviously frowned upon. It’s viewed as a weakness, and I have my work cut out for me helping her unlearn all the conditioning that has kept her safe in this world for so long.
