Page 83 of Craving You
“Ah,” I say.“Well, alright.”
We go downstairs and everyone turns and smiles at me.“Hey,” I say with a sigh.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Mom says as she hugs me.
“Hey, Momma,” I mutter.
“I am so sorry he hurt you, baby,” she says.“I had no idea.I don’t even know what to say.”
“Well, he’s dead now, so it’s whatever,” I say.“What’s for breakfast?”
“French toast,” Cam says.I nod and sit at the table.
“What are we doing today?”I ask, looking at Ross.
“I think it would be wise for you to make a statement,” Ross says.
“Okay.”
“Are you okay?”Andrea asks.
“Yep.Anything else?”
“No,” she says slowly.Everyone is looking at me and it’s pissing me off.
“Okay.Well, I will make a statement but I’m going to the office.I have some things…”
“Lori, no,” Remy says with a frown.
“I wasn’t asking for permission, Remington,” I snap.“I’ll grab something to eat on the way.”
I stand and find my purse before walking to the door.“Lori, you can’t be off by yourself,” Cam says as everyone follows me.
“Why?”I ask,yelling at him.“He’s dead, Cameron.I did that.The problem is solved, so I’m going to work.Sit here and pout if you want.”
I turn and walk out of the house and go to my car.I haven’t driven in a while and it feels nice to be alone finally.I get in and lock the door before anyone can get to me.When I get to the gate, it won’t open right away.When I put it in reverse with a plan to break the fucker down, it opens.
I turn the music up loud and just drive.There is a part of me that wants to keep going and never look back.If I just run away, everyone could be rid of me.All I have done is bring chaos.I killed my mother‘s husband, my brother’s father, my father… I killed him to save myself.To avenge Beatris.I did it without thinking or hesitating.What kind of monster does that make me?What fucks me up the most is that I don’t regret it.I don’t feel bad.I don’t care that he’s gone.The part of me that just wanted my daddy back, the man who raised me, that part is gone and I’m glad the bastard is dead.I just wish he could’ve suffered the way Tris did.
When I pull into the parking lot, the reporters spot me getting out of the car immediately.I know everyone else will be close behind me, but it’s definitely a statement for me to show up alone.
“Lorelei!What do you have to say about your father?”someone shouts at me.I turn and face them as I see everyone pull into the lot next to my car.
“The man who raised me is gone.He was gone long before he hurt my best friend, long before he snuck onto that plane and hurt me.That man never existed and the monster that he really was created this façade of a loving husband, father, friend, boss, and so much more.He manipulated and tricked everyone around him into believing that he was a good person.My thoughts are simple; I’m glad he’s dead, but I wish he had suffered.”
A turn and walk into the building and go straight to the elevator.I have every intention of locking myself in my office.I don’t care if I have to barricade the door, I just want to work and everyone leave me the fuck alone.As the elevator door closes, I see everyone rushing to the elevator to get to me.About halfway up the building, I pull the emergency stop.They can’t get to me if I’ve locked myself in here.
I slide down the wall to sit on the floor and tears roll down my cheeks.My phone starts to ring in my purse, and I reluctantly get it out to answer.“What?”I sniffle.
“Where are you, Lorelei?”Cameron asks.
“In the elevator,” I say, my voice breaking.
“Start it back up and come talk to me, please.Just me and you, okay?”
“I killed him,” I whimper.
“I know, sweetheart.Start it back and let me get to you.Okay?”
