Page 40 of Betrayed in the Dark
“Where would you like everything?” Reginald asks, coming up around me, rescuing us from the escalating awkwardness.
Betty gestures a hand toward her side. “Follow me. We can bring them to my office to sort through.”
The two of them walk away, leaving Madeleine and me standing in silence.
She appears to be having an internal war in her head as she stares at the ground. “I didn’t mean for it to sound the way it did.”
“Yeah? And how did you mean it?”
“Eli…” Her eyes lift, meeting mine. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just—”
“Why would I be upset?” I lift a shoulder, trying to appear unbothered. “You’re right. We’re not engaged. It’s not my ring on your finger.”
She instantly covers her ring with her other hand, biting down on her bottom lip. “But you don’t understand. I didn’t have a—”
“I understand everything just fine.” I sidestep her and head down the hall, hearing her heels clack on the floor behind me, maintaining a safe distance between us.
Thirty minutes later, the three of us exit the building and make our way toward the car.
Tension hangs heavily between us, so just as Madeleine reaches for the door handle, I stop her, positioning myself between her and the car. She arches an eyebrow, waiting for me to speak.
“I wanted to apologize for thinking you were merely frivolously spending your money today. Not that I have any say or opinion on how you should spend your money, but I judged you, and I shouldn’t have.”
She lets out a sigh as she puts on her black leather gloves. “I like to shop when I’m stressed. It gives me a dopamine hit and helps keep my mind off…things. But recently, I don’t know, shopping for myself wasn’t doing anything for me, and I realized I felt a whole hell of a lot better when I was shopping for otherswho actually need these things. It makes me feel like I’m doing something good in my life for once.” She adjusts the beige scarf around her neck, her eyes meeting mine. “In fairness, I didn’t exactly tell you what was going on, and I let you come to your own conclusions about me.”
“Which was wrong of me.”
She shrugs. “It’s what everyone thinks of me. Why would you think any differently?”
“Because I know you and I shouldn’t have—”
“Correction.” She throws her gloved hand in the air, raising her index finger. “You knew me. Past tense.” Her eyes narrow in on me, a chill in the air spreading between us, not from the frigid temperatures surrounding us. “Now, can you please move to the side so I can get inside the warm car?”
Reluctantly, I move, opening the door for her. She slides across the smooth leather seats, quickly turning her attention to her phone.
Just as I take a step up, my phone rings.
Bollocks.
I lost track of time.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I see the name on the screen and know I can’t ignore this call.
“I have to take this. It’ll only be a moment,” I tell her.
Hitting the green circle, I press the phone to my ear. “Hey, Angel. I miss you.” I shut the door behind me, taking a few steps away from the vehicle, watching snow fall around me.
Chapter nine
Madeleine
Alastor
Don’t forget. Friday night at 8 pm sharp. Don’t be late!
Alastor
Answer me!
