Page 46 of Speak No Claim

Reluctantly, I gave in, mostly because I didn’t want to get lost on a bike at night. I only had maybe an hour or two of sunlight left.

Once I was sitting in his SUV, I opened the window, and Alfred got right down to business, stating, “You sure know how to hold a grudge.”

“If that were true,” I replied with certainty in my voice, “I wouldn’t be sitting here with you.”

“So you don’t need a friend yet?”

I sighed, surrendering. “I guess I could use one.”

He didn’t waver. “You look sad, Miss Belladonna.”

We locked eyes through the rearview mirror.

“Not sad, just lonely.”

He nodded in understanding. “The Graves can be a lonely place sometimes.”

Seeing as he was in a talkative mood, I kept it going, enjoying someone to chat with. “How long have you lived here?”

“All my life.” He slid the car into Reverse. “Where to?”

“Umm… I’m not really sure. Take me to the oldest building in this town.”

“You attend school there.”

“Oh… I didn’t know that. Well, then take me to the second one.”

He looked next door at the Devereaux estate. “I won’t have to drive you.”

“Huh, I didn’t know that either. What’s next? Is this property the third?”

“No, miss. How about I drive you to the Litchfield District instead? There are plenty of old buildings for you to explore.”

“Hmm… how did you know I was into that?”

He didn’t answer, driving out of the driveway.

I couldn’t tell you what made me open up to him, but all of a sudden, I didn’t hold back, confessing, “I’ve been here for five weeks now, and I’ve yet to have one conversation with my uncle. I have no friends. Everyone avoids me like I’m living up to my last name, avoiding me like the plague, like I’m a poisonous plant or person… And I’ve somehow managed to fall into a set of rules I’ve yet to hear. I go to class. I pretend I don’t see everyone falling at the Brotherhood’s feet. I come home, and I’m alone…” Pausing for a second, I contemplated what I was to express, “Why am I here if no one wants me to be?”

“To get a grade A education. It’s what your father would’ve wanted.”

My wide stare shifted to his on the rearview mirror again. “You knew my father?”

“Yes.”

“So he did attend the Graves?”

“Yes.”

I was so shocked he was actually answering my questions that I didn’t know what to ask next.

“He’d be very proud of the young woman you’ve turned into. He loved you very much, Hennessy. I hope you know that too.”

I slowly shook my head. “I don’t know anything. My family barely speaks about him.”

His eyebrows pinched together. “Even your mother?”

“My mother the most.”