Scarlett shakes her head. “You can’t know that.”
“I do, because she told me.” His expression, drenched in heartbreak, steals my breath. “When I walked into the Bardot mansion, she gave me a job, not realizing who I was. I spent months with her, learning about who she was. When I realized my mother was a cold-hearted bitch, I knew I could never find happiness or family with her.”
There’s breathtaking agony in Darius’s tone, which has me wanting to comfort him, but this is a man who stole me and shot my husband. His fucking brother. I have to remind myself there’s nothing human about him. He’s nothing more than a criminal.
Then what was Lycan?
My chest tightens when I think about him. All I can do is hope and pray he pulls through, and I can convince Darius to let me see him. Once Darius gets the money from my father, I’m sure he’ll release me. Hurting me won’t do him any good. He must know that.
“Can you please help me up?” I whisper, trying to break through the fog of rage that’s so clear in his eyes. He moves slowly, and my gaze trails his movements. He pulls out contact lenses, turning his eyes to a similar green as Lycan’s.
Now, without the eye color differentiating them, I realize Darius looks just like his brother. Their father must have some very strong genes because when I look at Darius, I don’t see any resemblance to my grandmother.
Darius rises then, as if he forgot I was here for a moment, pushing the chair which I’m bound to upright. The pain radiating through my arms eases slightly. He leans over, fixing me with a glare so harsh, my lungs struggle to pull in air. Darius can’t be a Bardot, or half Bardot, because he’s all Shaw. Which begs the question, where did he get those maternity results?
“Who told you my grandmother was your birth mother?” I ask, knowing he might get angry and slap me, or hurt me, but I need to know. I have to figure out how he would believe her over his father.
“Your grandmother graciously provided a test.” His voice is pure grit and gravel, once again sounding just like his brother’s. But something doesn’t make sense. Why would she agree to a test or provide one when she knew he would want to hurt me, or Lycan for that matter?
My grandmother is strong-willed, and she’s not someone who would give in so easily. Not even for her own son. My father had to beg and plead for any and everything he wanted, and he’d have to work his ass off before she even considered his request.
“What if she lied to you?” My voice is a low whisper, praying he doesn’t lose control in the small space of the basement. “I don’t think Grace is your mother. I’ve known her my whole life, and something doesn’t make sense.”
“Oh?” Darius arches a brow. “And what is that, princess?” he sneers, using the moniker in a condescending tone which ripples through me.
“My grandmother isn’t someone who would offer information about herself without a price attached to it.” I keep my gaze on his, hoping he can see the truth in my eyes. I can’t afford for him to get angry right now, because if he can trust me, perhaps he’ll let me go.
At least, I hope so.
“She will always want something in return. I doubt she told you to hurt me, or to kill Lycan.” Guilt flickers in his gaze, and I wonder if I hit the nail on the head.
Darius pushes away from me, the chair rocking on its legs, and I pray it doesn’t fall over again. Thankfully it doesn’t. Cold seeps through me from my feet on the icy floor, and the chilly air that surrounds me has me shivering.
“I’m done with this bullshit,” Darius says suddenly. “You’ll stay here until I figure out what’s going on.” He spins on his heel, his gaze landing on me. For a moment, he says nothing, but then he shrugs off the suit jacket he’s wearing and settles it over my shoulders.
“Thank you,” I say, grateful for the bit of tenderness he’s offering. “If… If you hear anything…” I’m unsure how to ask him what I need to, but I hope he’ll know what I mean.
His gaze lingers on me, taking in my face as he moves up the stairs without responding. I want to scream, to beg him to tell me the moment he hears news about Lycan’s condition, but I don’t. Pleading doesn’t work with him.
But the moment I let out my breath, Darius surprises me by slowly turning to regard me from the threshold, then nodding. “I’ll tell you if I hear anything.” He turns to leave, and I watch him walk up the steps until he reaches the door. He stops, glances at me once more before he says, “I’ve never seen him in love before. No other woman has ever affected him like you do.” And then he’s gone, leaving my heart bleeding for more news on Lycan’s condition.