Page 19 of False God

“The one I use to pay, Charlie.”

I exhale. “What bloody color is it, Blythe?”

“Hang on.”

Her voice fades, all the background noise remaining at the same ear-splitting level.

I think,Fuck you, James,for a third time today, but there’s no accompanying flash of anger. I’m drained, unable to summon even a small twinge of irritation right now.

I hear Blythe’s voice again, but it’s muffled. “No, it’s my brother,” she says.

“Ooh,” another female voice trills. “Ask him if he’s looking for a duchess.”

I roll my eyes.

“He’s not,” Blythe replies flatly. “Go wait with Zara. I’ll be right there.”

A few seconds later, her voice is back at a normal volume.

“Silver card,” she informs me.

“Use the blue one.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks!” Now that her problem is solved, she sounds perky and cheerful. “Bye!”

“Wait.” I rub at my forehead. “Where are you?”

“Budapest.”

“I thought you were staying in London this week.”

Because shetoldme she was staying in London this week.

“I was. But then Zara suggested a trip, so here we are. I gotta go, Charlie. We’re headed to another club.”

Anotherclub? It’s only nine p.m. there.

Ellis might be inside, ordering more tequila shots, but that’s something Blythe woulddefinitelydo. The shorter the leash, theharder she pulls, just to prove she can. The only person she ever listened to was our father. Not only is he gone, but she’s also grieving him. I’m trying to be there for her and also give her space. I’m not sure I’m succeeding at either.

“I’ll be home on Monday,” I tell her.

“Okay. Have fun withGeorgia.”

I exhale. “I told you this was a business trip, Blythe. But since I was here, I thought?—”

“Whatever, Charlie. Don’t explain. I don’t care.”

Another sigh. “Be safe, Blythe.”

“I will; I will,” she assures me. Then hesitates. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I tell her.

The silence after she hangs up is startling, my eardrum still ringing, like I was standing in that club too.

I drag a palm down my face, addingcall the bankto my long to-do list.

When I get back to the booth, Ellis is fast asleep on top of the scratched table.

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