Page 46 of Finding Redemption

“You are crazy,” Chloe cried.“Insane.Someone get her off me!”

It all happened so fast that it took a moment for anyone to react.But Luck snapped out of it first and grabbed Sariah’s wrists.“Sariah, let go.”Her grip only seemed to tighten in Chloe’s hair.“Baby, whatever set you off, I know she deserves it.There’s not a single person in this room who doesn’t know that.But you have to let her go.Sariah… Siren!”

His voice boomed through the room, and she went weightless.I wasn’t sure if it was the authority in his voice or him calling her “Siren.”But she released Chloe and melted into him.

Feeling Bella tremble, I shook off my shock and bent so I was on her level, ignoring the commotion all around us.Cupping her face in both my hands, I gave her a gentle smile.“Hi, my Bella-Rey.”

“Brooke.”Chin trembling, she covered my hands with hers.“Can we go?I don’t like it here anymore.”

“Of course we can.”Straightening, I took a moment to assess the situation.

Luck was still holding Sariah, whispering to her.I’d suspected, but now I was sure there was something going on between those two.And the rage that filled Paxton’s eyes when he realized it caused my heart to lurch.But it wasn’t just his anger that left me feeling winded.It was the naked, heartbreaking betrayal I saw in those hazel depths.

I took an involuntary step back.

Creepy guy said something that drew Paxton’s attention—and his ire.His rage seemed to win over the other emotions battling for attention, or maybe it was just safer to allow himself to feel that.The two of them began a low, angry conversation, Paxton’s hands clenching and unclenching into fists.It was possible he was about to throw a punch, but I was already done with their issues.

Chloe was complaining as loudly as she could, holding the back of her head and the side of her neck.I didn’t see any signs of blood, but I didn’t doubt Sariah had caused her some serious pain.Several people were watching, whispering, but no one had come over to intervene, offer Chloe help, or demand we all leave.

At a glance, I would have guessed drama wasn’t something unusual for this kind of event.But then again, it was my first experience, so I wasn’t sure.What I did know was that this wasn’t a place for a child.

I turned to Henry.“Bella and I are leaving,” I informed him.“Now.”

With a nod, he steered us toward the door, no questions asked.We left through a discreet exit, thankfully able to avoid the flashing cameras, and got all the way to the elevator before my phone started ringing.

It had taken that long for Paxton to even notice our departure.That neither Bella nor I were still standing where he’d left us.

Forgotten.

Unwanted.

Alone.

Silencing my phone, I rocked a quietly crying Bella against me, humming softly as the elevator quickly ascended to the penthouse.It wasn’t just me who had to go through it this time.Bella had been overlooked in the chaos of the little scene as well.

She needed someone she could trust not to forget about her.I would be for her what no one had ever been for me.

Henry’s phone rang next.

Giving me a grimace in apology, he lifted it to his ear.“Boss?”He listened for a moment.“I have them both with me.We are on our way back to the suite… Bella is upset, but Brooke is fine.”He grunted.“Miss Ackerman is fine.”

Realizing Paxton was upset because Henry had used my first name, I rolled my eyes.Well, I was upset too.When he saw my reaction, his lips twitched, but he quickly schooled his expression before the doors opened into the penthouse.

He pointed to the phone, letting me know Paxton wanted to speak to me, silently asking if I was up to it.I shook my head.My emotions were too raw, and I didn’t want to chance having a conversation that could potentially upset Bella more than she already was.

“She’s busy at the moment, boss.But I will tell her you want her to call you.”

Bella and I went straight to her room.Sitting on her bed, she curled up beside me and put her head in my lap.

“Want to talk about it?”

As she shook her head, her silent crying turned into full-on sobs.I just let her while I rubbed her back.Everything had been going well until the creepy guy and the blonde showed up.Bella had been laughing, soaking up the attention from all the other people.Even though I’d been nervous about the event, having Paxton at my side had given me a feeling of being powerful.Each time I met his gaze, I had felt a zing of awareness between us.

Magical.

Until it wasn’t.

In a single moment, everything changed.

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