Page 55 of Break Me: Smith and Belle

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Belle

The fake party was going better than most real parties I’d attended recently, likely owing to the two large bottles of scotch that Smith had delivered between dinner and the serving of cake. Mrs. Winters had fussed over everyone, looking quite out of sorts to be forced to attend the festivities herself. I picked up a bottle and poured a double into a tumbler and carried it to her. “Why do you have a drink? It’s a party.”

She turned flustered eyes on me, her cheeks already pink, and I smelled proof she’d already begun to take my advice. “I shouldn’t. I need to get to the cake.”

“Do you need help with that?” I asked as she shifted dangerously from heel to heel.

She looked scandalized by the suggestion. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

She bustled out of the room, nearly knocking into Georgia as she returned to the party.

“What’s wrong with you? This is your party,” I told her, as she got closer.

“Have they been like this all night?” She asked, frowning as she surveyed Edward and Alexander. The brothers had taken up spots on either side of the room, placing as much distance between themselves as possible. Despite the caution, Edward glowered in his older brother’s direction as he nursed what, by my count, was his third drink of the night.

“I probably shouldn’t have asked them to be in the same room,” I admitted. “Hopefully, Alexander will hear something soon. I don’t think they’d survive being under the same roof for an entire night.”

“He should probably head back toward London,” Georgia said in a flat voice.

I tried to get a better look at her, concerned that I pushed this charade too far. Shifting Penny to my other shoulder, I turned to her. “We just need to liven things up,” I decided, and clearing my throat, I raised my voice and called, “Time for presents!”

Maybe it was actually me who needed the distraction. Each moment without answers only reminded me that I knew exactly who was to blame. Myself. As strange as this night was, I knew there were no parties or evenings with friends in my future. Maybe I had subconsciously chosen my lie to leave my family and friends with the happiest memory possible, given the circumstances.

My announcement had its intended effect, because Edward rose immediately to retrieve the wrapped package we’d picked up in the village earlier today.

“You got me a present?” Georgia muttered quietly.

“Trust me, it’s not much. We had a very limited selection to work with.”

“Should we wait for Mrs. Winters?” Georgia asked dryly. “Isn’t this all for her benefit?”

“Just open the present,” Edward said impatiently, thrusting it into her hands.

Georgia pulled back the taped edge of the wrapping carefully before efficiently removing it in one pristine sheet. When she turned to place it on a side table, she looked up to find us all watching her with wonder. “What?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “We just want to see what you got.” I suspected none of us had ever seen her be so gentle with anything. What were the chances she had a soft spot for wrapping paper?

Georgia turned the book over in her hands and stared at the title, stamped in gold gilt. “The Art of War by Sun Tzu—I’ve read it.”

“You have?” I did a terrible job of hiding my surprise.

“I can read,” she said, sounding a little offended. Despite her objections to the fake party, she looked oddly moved by the gift. Georgia turned her head as if she needed to hide her face. I looked to the others, finding them as shocked as me.

“Thanks,” she gritted out, still not looking at us. “I’ll have to have a fake birthday more often.”

The shrill ring of a phone distracted us from the awkward moment. Alexander pulled his mobile from his pocket and held up a finger. “Excuse me a moment.”

My heart rocketed into my throat, beating so hard I was worried I would wake Penny. She had only just fallen asleep, what with all the unexpected excitement of the evening. I almost envied her. I wished I could relax. Alexander stepped out of the sitting room and left the rest of us to stare at one another expectantly.

Brex finally broke the uncomfortable silence. “How about a real birthday? On the actual day? We can have cake and presents.”

Georgia’s answering grin was grim rather than grateful. “I don’t celebrate my birthday. I never have.”

“Since you were a kid?” Edward asked innocently.

“Ever.” She frowned.