Page 73 of Stripped

Chapter 33

"Are you all right?" Wraith asked Pim when they got back in the car.

"I'm fine," she said. She sat rigid, looking out the window, her arms crossed over her chest.

"It was a stupid question; of course, you're not." He turned onto Great Western. "No one would be after learning all that."

"Stop assuming things about me," she said, glaring at him. "I said I'm fine. I need to go by my flat, so I can pick up clothes for tonight."

"Very well." He reached over for her hand.

"And don't tell people we're a couple. We're not. You're not my boyfriend." She pulled out of his grasp. "I know nothing about you. Just like I knew nothing about my grandfather or father. Yet you expect me to trust you blindly."

"What do you want to know, Primrose?" He rubbed his forehead.

"I want to know who Robert McFadden is?"

He took a deep breath. "I told you, McFadden is dead."

"Yes, you've said that before. But he's not, is he? You're not dead. I want to know that I can trust you."

Wraith parked the car, turning off the engine. "No, you're right. I'm not dead, but that part of me is and I'm glad." He turned to her with his eyebrows raised. "I spent eleven months trying to come to terms with it. Mourning a man I'm not sure I even liked. Holding on to a past where I never truly understood who I was. It took me dying to figure out what I wanted in life. To become the man I'm supposed to be." Pim started to say something, but he stopped her. "And then I met you. Christ, I thought you were the exact opposite of me. So full of life, so full of passion. Edgy and reckless. Being with you, is like trying to hold a flame. And even if I get burned, it will be worth the risk. You make me feel alive. I can't force you to trust me, but I can assure you I am not your grandfather."

"I'm not so hot right now."

"Aye, you're a bit of a mess." He smiled then leaned over and whispered in her ear, "But you're my mess."

A knock on the door startled them both. "Fucking hell, what does she want?" Pim said. A woman stood outside the car waving at them while she talked on her phone.

"Do you know her?"

"It's my mother." She undid her seatbelt. "Can this day get any fucking worse?"

Wraith opened his door and got out, fastening the button on his suit coat. He walked around to get Pim's door. Her eyes were closed, and she appeared to be counting. He looked up and smiled at the woman.

"Is she going to get out?" the woman asked, having hung up her phone.

"Give her a second," Wraith said.

After a minute, Pim opened the door and he gave her his hand, helping her out.

"Darling," the woman said.

"Mother. What are you doing here?"

"Why, we're here to see you perform."

"We're?" Pim asked.

"Yes, darling, Craig and me. We got your message with the tickets to the closing gala and the flight arrangements. We didn't think we could manage it with such short notice, but with it being the Film Festival and all, Craig thought it would be great for networking."

"I never sent you any tickets," Pim said, reaching into the car for her ballet bag. Wraith went to take it from her, but she held onto it tight. "I've got it."

"Well, I assumed you sent them. I figured money was no problem for you now, with your grandfather's trust, and the flights were first class."

"You won't come out and support me during Grandda's funeral, but you'll fly out for a film festival, so Craig can network." She walked toward the entrance of her building. "Fucking shite. That's what this is."

"Pim, you're being rude. I told you I didn't want anything to do with Angus' funeral," she said, following her.

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