Page 6 of Shameless Expectations

“Was the touch too much?” Monti’s tone softened as she asked, as if she already knew that the question itself was going to cause upheaval. How was Monti so insightful?

And perhaps Monti did know exactly what this had done to her. Maybe Monti Schroeder had been paying attention. It was rare that Athena had found someone who was able to do that after only one session. It released even more of that tension. But Athena resisted that feeling. It was uncomfortable and against her nature. Still, the thought occurred to her that Monti might as well just unravel her.

“It was fine.” It wasn’t a lie. Athena had almost forgotten that Monti was a stranger, touching her. If Athena closed her eyes—which she wouldn’t do—she could still feel the sliding of Monti’s finger against her. Stopping that train of thought, Athena stiffened her shoulders and set herself back on track.

But each time she thought about going back to before, even though it was only a few hours ago, it was another stab to her heart. She hadn’t done the job of protecting herself from someone else—she’d let Monti get too close. Athena reached up and brushed her fingers through her tangled hair. She’d almost forgotten about that, and the sharp tug was a good reminder of how she’d already let her guard down too much.

Self-conscious, Athena pulled her hand down to her side and gave Monti a hard stare. She wanted her clip back, and she wanted her hair back in place. Everything in here was disordered, and it shouldn’t be. This should be the simplest and purest place for her to be in the house. It was always that. Yet with Monti here, it was something else entirely. Monti was nothing more than a disruption, and Athena couldn’t have that. It would throw her into chaos that she’d never recover from.

“Ms. Pruitt, I’d like to help you, but unless you actually answer my questions, nothing is going to improve.”

“Help me? You’re here as a favor to your sister.” Those defenses Athena had were still up. But again, normally she would have walked out of the room already, disappeared from the conflict. And she found herself unable to leave, still staring at Monti and her dark brown eyes, her calm countenance.

“True.” Monti dropped her hands. “And I can leave anytime I want. Do you want me to?”

Yes. The answer was on the tip of Athena’s tongue, but she couldn’t make herself say the word. Because she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted to say. Three hours of uninterrupted sleep had been blissful, and if Monti could give that to her again?

Athena might just let her stay.

“I have work to get done.” It was Athena’s go-to defense, and it always worked.

“Far be it from me to get between you and work.” Monti put her hands on her knees and pushed up to stand. She had long legs, just like Fallon. But beyond a few commonalities in their looks—their eye color, their body shape—they were complete opposites. Monti stepped away from the chair, her hands automatically sliding into her pockets.

Athena tensed sharply and took a step backward. Something moved into her throat, clogging it. She couldn’t scream. She couldn’t breathe properly. Her heart thundered, making it impossible to focus. Sound raged through her ears.

“Ms. Pruitt.” Monti’s voice cut through everything.

Athena grasped onto it and clung. Monti was the better alternative to the flash she’d seen. And all she had to do was focus on the other woman in the room to stay present in the here and now.

Athena blinked. She took a steadying breath and looked directly at Monti.

“I forgot. I’m sorry.” Her hands were out next to her sides, palms toward Athena in the most non-threatening way possible.

Damn. I thought I was better with that already.

Swallowing the lump that clogged her throat, Athena straightened her spine. “Fallon will see you out.”

Without another word, she stalked toward the door and walked out. She couldn’t go back in there. She couldn’t face Monti and her embarrassment from that episode. It had been years since she’d been this bad, and the fact that it was coming back up now? She hated herself even more for it. The hallways were quiet, which meant most of her staff was already gone for the day. Soon enough, Fallon would leave her, and she would be all alone in her house.

In the quiet.

Athena pushed that thought to the side. She could manage one more night. She had every night for the last twenty-two years. Though it would help if Kevin was home. Even if they didn’t sleep in the same bed, it eased her discomfort knowing that someone else was in the house with her. Someone she could actually trust. Athena walked into her office suite.

“Ms. Pruitt.” Fallon stood up immediately.

“You can send your sister home, Fallon.”

“Um… Is everything okay?” Fallon paled, that nervous energy she always seemed to carry with her fully present now.

Athena inwardly winced. She should take better care, though most days she struggled just to keep up with her own needs and had nothing left for anyone else. She nodded sharply. “Fantastic. Send her home, and when you’re done, feel free to leave yourself.”

“All right.” Fallon sounded nervous.

Athena didn’t have the time for it. She walked into her office and shut the door. Everything was just like she left it. Papers and books on her desk, her computer on but asleep. She relaxed and closed her eyes briefly before she stepped toward her desk.

She’d been working on this case for months now, and they were finally gearing up for the trial. Athena ran her fingers through her hair, belatedly realizing that her hand shook. This case was affecting her more than it should, but something about it bothered her.

Her client had been stalked for twelve years and no one had done a damn thing about it. Not only was it unconscionable, it was ridiculous. The amount of turmoil and resistance her client had faced throughout the last decade because she was a woman and because no one had listened to her was without reason.

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