Page 97 of Séance

Isip whiskey from a tumbler, back at my normal perch as I stare out the window toward Rue’s house. Darkness fell over an hour ago, and I haven’t moved from the spot since I returned from the meeting with Rue’s father.

Richard Edward Farthington, president and CEO of Granger Industries, and a complete and utter asshole.

I’m glad the guys aren’t home. I need the time to sort out my tangled thoughts. I don’t like the way I left things with Rue. As much as I want to march over and see if she’s okay, I don’t want to disturb her fragile peace.

When she finds out what I did, I have no doubt she’s going to be pissed.

I almost wish I hadn’t gone digging into her past, but it’s too late now.

I wanted to discover what I could do to help her, desperate to keep what happened today from happening again.

Unfortunately, I kicked a hornet’s nest with my visit.

Taking another sip, I embrace the burn of the liquor as it sears my throat, then warms my stomach, but the warmth does nothing to melt the ice that has encased my veins. My brain replays the interview over and over, but no matter how I look at the situation, we’re fucked.

Catching movement in the dark yard, I turn to see the guys returning. I drag my attention away from the window and refill my glass. The guys are quiet as they enter the house, until they spot me lingering by the window like the stalker I’ve become.

“Where the hell were you?” Gunner snarls, taking a threatening step toward me before he catches himself. His hands curl into fists, the big man seconds away from throttling me. “You disappeared when Rue needed you most.”

I’m not even surprised by his reprimand.

Though Gunner doesn’t speak much beyond a grunt or growl, when he allows himself to feel, he often feels deeply. It’s rare that he allows anyone to get close. Most people don’t even bother looking beneath his rough exterior, seeing him as a brute with little between the ears.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

Rue has a way of seeing things no one else does, and if her father is to be believed, it’s all an act to get what she wants.

I gently set the tumbler down with a click and survey the guys. Unsurprisingly, James is standing next to Gunner, wearing a matching scowl on his face. Ellis is frowning as he waits for the answer as well, but I’m surprised to see the furrow between Jace’s brows.

Knowing they are not going to like my answer, I lift my chin and brace my hands on my hips. “Rue managed to ditch me.”

I’m not too proud to admit that she outsmarted me.

In fact, after I got over my little snit, I could admire the ease in which she gave me the slip. With a grimace, knowing the guysare going to be pissed, I admit the truth. “I went to see Rue’s father.”

“What?” Gunner snaps, a look of betrayal taking over his face, and he steps away from me like he can’t stand to be any closer.

“Fuck.” James staggers back, shooting me a disgusted look.

Even Jace winces and shakes his head.

Instead of reacting, Ellis squares off with me, his brown eyes nearly black with worry. “Why?”

Trust him to strike to the heart of the matter.

I roll my shoulders, hating that I feel defensive. “Rue completely shut down at the police station. I see that same look on each of you when you get your asses arrested. She wasn’t worried or afraid, she was resigned. I had to know why.” I rub my forehead, but it doesn’t alleviate the headache forming behind my eyes.

I wait for them to start yelling, wait for a fist to crack across my face. I deserve it, almost crave the punishment for going behind her back and breaking her trust. Quiet fills the room, the silent reprimand worse than any beating.

I grit my teeth and scowl at the fuckers, hating that I feel the need to justify my actions. “I can’t protect her if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

“Have you ever considered asking?” James is only a few inches from my face, his pale blue eyes stormy with agitation, his voice deceptively soft.

A caustic laugh bursts from me, my smile nasty as I meet his gaze without flinching. “That’s rich coming from you. You always act first and rarely ask for forgiveness afterward.”

I almost feel bad when James flinches.

It was a low blow.

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