Page 77 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

“I see what this is really about now.” I scowl but don’t ask him to explain. Unfortunately, he tells me anyway. “You’re scared.”

I snort.

If he expects that to smash through my defensives, he’s got another thing coming.

“Of course I’m fucking scared!” I throw my hands up. “Hell, I’m fucking terrified that something will happen to her and it will be my fault again! She’s sweet and gentle and has been through too many nightmares already. She doesn’t need to endure another one.”

“Are you talking about River?” he asks quietly. “Or are you talking about Claudette?”

Claudette.

God, River even looks like her.

Bright blue eyes. Deep auburn hair. Freckles on her nose. Cheeks that turn pink at the slightest provocation.

But God, Claudette’s blood had been so fucking red on the concrete.

And she’d screamed so loudly.

And—

I shove up to my feet, stalk to the windows, staring out into the distance, seeing only blackness despite the lights of the city below.

“You’re still allowing the Lyons to turn you into their puppet,” Pascal says, having silently followed me over.

I whip toward him, fist lifted, preparing to smash it into his face?—

He catches it and I stand there, trembling with rage.

With the agony of the past lashing through me.

“I am not working for the Lyons.”

“No, you’re not.” He releases me. Sighs. “But you are still letting them turn you into who they want you to be.”

And with that highly effective parting shot, he walks away.

It’s so effective that I don’t even hear the elevator chime when he leaves.

Probably because I’ve slide down the glass, barely feeling the hardwood slamming into my knees, knowing that he’s right.

And knowing there’s not a damned thing I can do about it.

Twenty-Four

River

I knead the loaf with far more vigor than is required.

But abusing my poor sourdough is the only thing that’s made me feel better this last week.

Well that, and learning that Violet is okay.

She went home from the vet yesterday, and Thorn sent Brooks a picture of her back at the penthouse.

Yup.

Thorn sent it to Brooks.