Page 10 of Ruling Scar
All the hallways on this side of the living room are out of bounds. The only other hallway is on the opposite side of the room. I’ll have to cut across.
Elijah’s eyes sear into me as I try to walk by in an unbothered manner.
I’m willing to bet there’s amusement on his face as he watches. That’s who he is. Always happy to make others squirm.
And I am squirming.
At this rate, someone’s probably wondering if I’m about to shit my pants.
I hate being a nervous wreck.
It doesn’t help that I swear this place has more staff than guests. I slip through, and another one asks if I need help.
“No, no, thank you,” I cry over my shoulder.
“The party is that way,” another one says.
For fuck’s sake.
“I need the bathroom.”
“That way, ma’am.”
I blink when I open the door the staff pointed me to. “This is a fucking closet.” I swing back around but find the hall empty.
I close the door, picking another at random. Feet echo on the hardwood floor behind me so I scurry inside what is thankfully the bathroom.
Most people would sigh and say a silent prayer of thanks.
My dumb ass keeps walking. It’s a nice bathroom by all means, but if I thought I was going to escape into Narnia, I’m sorely mistaken.
But for some reason, the need to escape doesn’t leave me. Since my limbs don’t get the memo either, I tear the shower curtain open and step into the bathtub.
For one whole second, I stand there.
“What the fuck am I doing?” I ask myself, feeling the muscles in my face contract as I analyze my own stupidity.
Which only grows tenfold when the door opens—actually opens—because I didn’t lock it behind me.
I have done some awkward things in my life, but standing in the shower at a party while other guests use the toilet is a new low.
Can’t wait to tell Janis about this one.
Who am I kidding? This is too embarrassing to even tell my therapist.
The door opens again and heels stomp.
“Did my son fuck you well?”
Shit, that’s Yelena. My mouth drops open as I realize who she must be talking to.
I don’t think I could ever explain to anyone how insane Yelena sounds right now. She berates her new daughter-in-law and then there’s the unmistakable sound of a slap.
My own cheek tingles at how harshly it echoes.
“Know your place whore.” Feet stomp out the door.
My mouth remains hanging open but it doesn’t end there. Nope. The fucking shower curtain flings open.
