Page 42 of Vicious Seduction

Adrenaline burned like gasoline through my veins as I wrapped my arm around Oran’s and stood defiantly at his side. I could have kissed him when his hand came to rest over mine. I hadn’t been sure how he’d respond to my sudden show of unity, but he matched my stride and went headlong into battle at my side. That was how it felt when my mother approached—us against them.

The solidarity was fortifying.

I’d had innumerable showdowns with my mother andstepfather, but this was the first time I hadn’t had to face them alone.

“Mr. Byrne, Carolina.” Eliza Brooks flashed a broad smile, reminding me of the wicked stepmother inCinderellawith comically high eyebrows and malice in her heart.

“Eliza, Charles,” I responded in kind to keep us on equal footing.

“I suppose the rumors are true, considering the way you’re glowing. When can we expect the new addition?” That was her not-so-kind way of implying I looked like I got knocked up and had to marry Oran, as if we’d suddenly teleported back to the nineteenth century.

I was about to respond when Oran beat me to it.

“I should be so lucky. Maybe one of these days, but for now, we plan to enjoy our time together.” He handled Eliza’s crass comment with tact and decorum. I couldn’t have handled it better myself.

Gratitude flooded my cheeks with warmth.

Eliza waved a hand flippantly. “Well, I could have sworn you’d already put on a little baby fluff.” Her tone was rife with mock confusion. “Regardless, I’m a little surprised you came to dinner tonight. Not exactly your finest showing of sensitivity after snubbing poor Lawrence.”

My turn for a little condescension. “As if you’d know sensitivity if it slapped you in the face, Eliza.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, then,” she shot back, finally giving way to outright animosity before slipping her mask back into place with a grin. “I suppose it’s good you came. We have a visitor with us that you haven’t had the chance to formally meet. Oh, Ron!” She turned and waved over a middle-aged man from across the room. He was smartly dressed in a three-piece suit, swirling a tumbler of amberliquid in a hand outfitted with a large diamond pinky ring. His salacious smile made me queasy, but it was the sound of his voice that brought bile up to burn the back of my throat.

“Carolina, you can’t imagine how happy I am to see you again.”

I hadn’t realized I’d begun to squeeze Oran’s arm like a hungry python until he took a brief glance at my face. I couldn’t let go. Nor could I tear my eyes away from the monster across from me.

My mother chuckled. “I was hoping you’d remember.” She reached a hand across to touch Oran’s hand like a heartfelt friend. “These two knew each other a long time ago, but it’s nothing to be jealous over.”

She’d mounted a counterattack and struck me at my most vulnerable.

A steel trap clamped its vicious teeth through the tender flesh of my heart. It wasn’t blood but agony that poured out of me. Agony and shame and horror.

Eliza Brooks would have liked nothing more than to see me run from the club and never return. No matter how severe the pain, I couldn’t give her what she wanted—I refused to let her have the satisfaction—but I also couldn’t fight back. I couldn’t manage a word, but I didn’t run. I didn’t cower. I didn’t have to because for the first time, I wasn’t alone.

“So you say,” Oran said with deadly calm. “But as her future husband, I’m a little overprotective. And with my past as a Byrne family enforcer, I tend to be a little trigger-happy, so it’s probably best if we excuse ourselves. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He slipped his arm from mine and pressed a scalding hand to my lower back, steering me to safety.

CHAPTER 21

ORAN

“Keep going,baby. One foot in front of the other,” I murmured gently, legitimately concerned she might topple over at any moment.

The club had small studies that could be used for private gatherings. With dinner about to start, they were both available, so I steered her into the closest room and shut the door behind us. Lina walked numbly to the tufted leather sofa and sat gingerly on the edge as if ready to bolt should the need arise.

I took a long, deep breath and started to pace.

I’d been prepared for any number of situations that might have evolved after our arrival, but what just went down wasn’t one of them. I felt fuckingblindsided.

What the twisted fuck was up with Lina’s parents? And who the hell was Mr. Three Piece Suit? She’d been understandably aloof in front of her parents, but when that man joined us, she’d gone as stiff as a board. Every ounce of color drained from her face, and she clung to me like I was the last parachute on a plane careening toward earth.

Her mother had said Lina and that man had a past, but she couldn’t mean romantic, could she? The guy was old enough to be her father. But then, she’d been seeing Wellington, and he was even older. The whole thing was totally fucked, especially the way Lina’s mother seemed to delight in her reaction. What kind of a person does that to their child?

Everything about the situation made my skin crawl. Fury sank its scalding talons deep inside me, pushing my control to its absolute limits. I’d desperately wanted to take my knife to someone’s throat and either demand an explanation or exact revenge. I didn’t know what had been done to Lina, but I had no doubt she’d suffered some injustice at her parents’ hands.

I had to keep pacing to dissipate some of the murderous energy pricking my muscles into action.

“I need to know what happened,” I said in the most controlled tone I could manage. I didn’t need to upset her more than she was already, but being gentle wasn’t easy when I was so riled.

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