Page 9 of Betrayed in the Dark
Right before I step into the office, I take a deep breath and pray that agreeing to this doesn’t make things worse between us.
But then again, she’s engaged to another man.
How much worse could it get?
Chapter three
Madeleine
Strumming my polished nails on the arm of the leather chair, I let my eyes travel around the office as I continue to wait for my brother, Leo, to make his grand appearance. He told me we had an urgent matter to discuss, which has now put my nerves on edge, as I’m unsure what could be so pressing. Especially since this weekend is supposed to be a special getaway to our Hamptons house to celebrate his engagement to his wife, my best friend, Scarlett.
Yeah, they did things a little out of order.
But the point is, this weekend isn’t for work.
It’s for relaxing.
Something my family clearly doesn’t know how to do well.
I check the slim gold watch on my wrist. He’s ten minutes late. Is this part of his tactic? Is he purposely making me sweat it out?
What could be so important that—
Fuck.My chest tightens, and anxiety crawls over my skin.
He must know.
That’s the only plausible reason why I’m here right now.
He knows about me and Alastor.
I press my fingers to my temple, massaging the pressure points where a headache begins to form.
Have I been too careless over this past year?
Did I let something slip?
I reach for my glass of champagne, needing to calm my nerves. Throwing back the drink, I close my eyes and enjoy the fizz from the bubbles sliding down my throat.
There’s no way he could know. Not when I’ve played my part so perfectly.
Standing, I make my way to the closest window, observing the waves crashing along the shoreline as the sun sets over the horizon—a picturesque view that my family paid millions upon millions to enjoy.
It’s a home that offers elegance and all the comforts one could want in life. Twelve bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, a ten-car garage, a private beach, and an indoor pool, just to name a few of the amenities. But it doesn’t give me the same calm I experience when I’m home.
My real home.
At the Alarie Estate in Upstate New York.
A place that outsiders find to be intimidating and know better than to venture to in fear of what may await them.
Like death.
It’s a fortress unparalleled to any other in the world, surrounded by thick stone walls that have recently doubled in height and width. A place where I, my mother, my siblings, and the many loyal workers of my family reside.
It’s been my sanctuary since the day I was born.
A home where I truly feel at peace.
