Page 12 of Mistress A-0002

“Hearing you say that. It’s amazing how much of a wall my anger puts up. Had you been anyone else, I would have taken your tongue for even saying their name in the same sentence. But it’s true. You’re right. She reminds me of Vivia. And I want—no,I need that.” She went to speak, but my hand lifted as a rush of levelheadedness surfaced. “You lied to me.”

“Lied? Elec, I didn’t?—?”

“I know for a fact leaving June alone wasn’t my idea.” She squared her shoulders, her face tightening as I took a quick glance at her narrowing lids. “Thank you for trying to help me, but I’ve told you more than once…no thanks. You’re trying todo what is best for me. Don’t. Stay out of that part of my life.” I met her eyes dead-on. “I won’t tell you again. Vivia, fine. That’s a requirement for therapy. It’s my past, and it’s horrific; I get it. What I do in the present ismybusiness. I’m not breaking any rule or law in the Gardens, and I have everything under control. That meansyoucan’t interfere.” I took a deep breath, composing myself so I didn’t give too much away. “You want to be my friend? You need to support my decisions. You don’t have to agree with them. Just…let me figure this out on my own. Allow me some space to work through,” I paused, throwing her a sad look that made me want to snarl, “acceptance at killing Vivia. You did that. You’re helping me see what I’ve done, and I’m thankful to you.Grateful. But a part of me might need June, even if you don’t understand or agree with why. If I decide to pursue her, that’s my business. You say you miss being friends.” I took a step back. “I need you to start acting like it.”

Mistress A-0002

Act like his friend.Actlike his friend? Did he not know what I’d done for him? Elec would still be the shy closet-psychopath I’d found all those years ago had I not turned his personality inside-out. I gave him courage. I gave him style. Charm.Rage!Actlike his friend? What the hell did he think I’d been doing all these years? It’s not like I was standing at anyone else’s side. It was him. It wasalwayshim.Act like his friend?

“Mother?”

I glanced up from my breakfast, sweeping over Jett’s bored face. Black hair fell just over his left eye, and his lips were slightly twisted with a hint of annoyance. His tone was laced in concern, but his expression didn’t mirror it.

“Yes?”

“This is the second breakfast since the auction where you haven’t said a word. I didn’t mean to make you so upset that night. I was angry. I acted like an idiot. I’m sorry.”

I placed down my fork, grabbing and taking a small sip of water.

“It’s okay. I was angry as well. We were both out of line. Let’s forget it.”

He nodded, growing quiet, but I knew from the separation of his lips and the way he kept peeking up at me that he wasn’t finished.

“I’ve been thinking.” Jett glanced around the busy restaurant, coming back to me. “And I don’t want to get you anymore upset, but I’d really like to talk about this. I’ve…I’ve been questioning my path.”

“Your path?”

“Business. I know what’s expected of me?—”

“Then why are you even broaching the subject?”

His jaw flexed, and his lips pressed together as I brought my hand up in an apology.

“Forgive me. Again. I’ve had a horrible morning, and I don’t see the day getting any better. You’re questioning your duties?”

Jett’s expression didn’t lose the tightness.

“I’m not sure I’m very good with being in a corporate role. I have traits that are compatible, and I know my duty to take over from father, but Marian pretty much already has. She wants that; I don’t. My interest lies elsewhere.”

“You’re the heir.”

“I know, but I have bigger plans.”

“Right. I think I may know where this is going. Your interests. What are those?”

At my question, he hesitated to answer.

“The mind. Over the years, I’ve learned stuff from watching you. I always hear stories about what a pioneer grandfather was. I think I can do it. I want that, but I also want to be like you and Elec.”

I laughed, and not halfheartedly. The emotion was real, and it was loud. Even appearing joyous, despite I felt far from it. The idea was absurd.

“You speak of traits. Do you believe your personality compatible with a psychiatrist? Psychologist? Psychotherapist?”

“That’s not exactly what I want to be. More…like Dr. Milsap. Like grandfather. The parts you all hide from the public. I want to experiment on the brain. I want to test the bounds of consciousness. I want to see what I can make a person do.”

“I see.” I licked my lips, resting my forearms on the table to lean closer to my son. “What you speak of is intriguing. You want to experiment like your grandfather, yet you want power over people you may not be safe to carry. Is it not enough that you have fun with the slaves?”

“No. I want to learn more.”

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