Page 63 of Obsession

Hopefully, by then she would’ve broken up with the sod and I wouldn’t have to kick his ass to the curb for her.

“But we’re here now.” I hated seeing that crestfallen expression on her face almost as much as knowing the con artist at her side was most likely casing the joint.

So-called slums or not.

“I don’t have much food. It’s just me,” I added when Brant prepared to launch into his latest diatribe. “I don’t stock a lot because I won’t eat it, so I’m unprepared for guests.”

“We could go out,” Brant suggested. “It’s just a matter of sitting down and bonding, son.” He moved forward to clasp my shoulder and I swear to God, every muscle in my arm tensed in preparation to swing.

I couldn’t do this. Not today. I didn’t know when I’d be able to, but definitely not now. I was already so raw and ragged from Grace, and I had to be ready for Jimmy’s awareness gathering tonight.

“My biological father is dead,” I said coldly. “He never earned the right to call me son, and you damn sure haven’t.”

I glanced at my mother and tried not to be affected by the horror in her eyes. That their hazel color was a mirror of my own made it twice as hard. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I didn’t know whether or not that would be true, or if she’d pick her new man of the moment over me. She’d done it before. I didn’t even blame her for it. She’d been looking for love for a long time, and my father sure hadn’t provided any.

But that didn’t mean I could subject myself to being a pawn in her search. Or worse, a trophy offered to the man who finally pinned her down for good.

Halfway up the stairs, I heard the front door close behind them. They didn’t slam it but closed it as softly as a gunshot muffled by a suppressor.

And silence reigned once again.

Chapter Twenty-One

Grace was late.

I stood, hands in pockets, surveying the city from the lofty height of the roof. The wind up here was fierce, and once the helicopter had been started again, it would be even worse.

I’d waited for a few minutes for Grace before climbing down from the cockpit. She’d never been late to work, and I was becoming agitated. I had to be at the gathering early to give a speech.

I hated fucking speeches, but for this cause, I’d do it. I’d do whatever they asked of me.

Besides leaving Grace behind.

She might’ve decided not to meet me. It wasn’t a work day, and I hadn’t really requested her presence. I didn’t know how to do that. We weren’t dating, and any time I offered her something as small as my umbrella, she tossed the gesture back in my face.

So, I commanded.

This might end up being the first time I’d ever been stood up.

I debated calling her, then decided I’d give her a few more minutes. I’d built in extra time for our departure. I had a helipad on another of my holdings that I planned to land on near the site of tonight’s gathering, but air travel required extra clearances.

At least the weather had cleared. A hint of rain still scented the air, but last night’s storms had passed, leaving behind puddle-laden streets and a clear moonless sky. Our trip wouldn’t take long.

I probably shouldn’t have bothered with the helicopter for such a short flight, but what good was having money if you couldn’t have some fun now and then?

I wasn’t trying to show off. Grace had loved to swing so high as a child and had gotten such delight from a simple thing

Maybe she would enjoy this too.

If she turned out to be afraid of flying, though, I’d be truly fucked.

Without any other options to pass the time, I flicked open that infernal coloring book app. Stupid thing. I didn’t even like it.

The door to the roof banged open five minutes later. Grace hurtled through the doorway, her hair flying wildly around her shoulders, and a complaint on her lips.

Then she caught sight of the helicopter and clutched her throat.

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