“Of course, she left the moment she found out about me,” Bryony sighs. “She wasn’t like me at all, your mother. She was braver. Sometimes, I actually envy her.”
She meets my gaze in the mirror, and I watch her come to her senses, visibly growing paler when she realizes everything she just told me.
“You won’t tell him, will you?” She rushes to get the words out, stuttering. “Please, Lily Anna.”
“Pandora,” I correct her again, taking the silver, intricately designed brush out of her hands and placing it on the vanity table. “No, Bryony, I won’t tell him. We’re allowed to have secrets too, you know.”
“Oh, how exciting.”
She offers me a shy smile that twists my stomach with guilt. I’m guessing she doesn’t really get the chance to bond with her son or daughter, since I’m the only one who gives her the time of day. It makes me sad. She could have had a beautiful family if my father hadn’t swooped in and ruined everything for all of us.
“And you’ll keep my secrets too, right?” I ask her.
Not that she knows any, but I can cover my bases for later if she ever finds out something.
“Of course,” she replies in earnest. “Anything for you… daughter.”
I wince at the word but smile the next second. I’m willing to play this charade… as long as she remembers her role in our little game.
After all, us girls need to stick together.
Otherwise, the men of Eden Falls will trample us.
Six
Dexter
“What the fuck do you mean Brantley’s back?”
I can feel the vein on my forehead jutting out, throbbing as my blood boils underneath the surface. Goddamn, Easton wasn’t supposed to come back for another few months. And with me staying home for the time being, the timing couldn’t be worse.
“It is what it is,” Lai shrugs, rubbing a fingertip on the mantel above the fireplace and squinting at the trace of dust on his fingers. “Seriously man, you’re letting go of this place. When are you going to hire some proper help? And where is Anders, anyway?”
I grit my teeth, my patience wearing thin as I glare at my friend, muttering, “I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Lai. Besides, seems like you’re forgetting who’s in charge around these parts, and that pisses me the hell off. You need a fucking reminder?”
He pales and shakes his head, his jaw set defiantly.
“Good,” I growl. “Now tell me everything that’s happened while I’ve been gone.”
Lai launches into an explanation. Every fiber of my body is on edge as I listen to him recount what happened at school – the scuffle with Pandora and goddamn Brantley swooping in like some grand savior, when he’s anything but. Of course, Pandora has no clue about that yet, but she’ll learn soon enough.
“So, he’s just pretending like he’s in charge,” I bite out. “I should have known the moment I leave someone would try to take my place. Did you guys remind him where he stands in the hierarchy?”
“He didn’t even acknowledge us,” Lai utters, obviously angry himself. “When are you coming back, man? We can’t hold down the fort without you, especially with Easton goddamn Brantley coming out of the woodwork to undermine you.”
“I can’t come back yet,” I grit out.
My worst fears have come true – Anders is out with an infection and will be staying at the hospital at least another week. He’s also threatened to quit multiple times despite me throwing numbers in his face – numbers that would pay for a household of staff, and numbers he refused to acknowledge. Of course, I could hire someone else, but I don’t trust anyone to keep my secrets. News travels fast in Eden Falls, and the last thing I need is Emilian Oakes finding out that Lilly Ana is alive and my captive.
Especially one he’s eager to get his hands on himself.
“Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “I can’t come back for a while, it seems. Can you keep an eye on the toy for me?”
“Gladly,” he smirks, sending another wave of rage through my body.
I advance on him, wrapping my hand around his throat and backing him up against the wall. He attempts to claw at my hands but seems to recall his place just in time. I watch his handsome face redden as I spit out a warning.
“You know she isn’t yours. I don’t want you fucking her. You can play… but leave that cherry for me to pop.”