“I better go find him. He tends to pout,” she says. We giggle as she walks off in search of Remo.
“Briar, there you are,” I turn to see his mom approaching.
“Hello, Gwen. Your house is breathtaking,” I state the obvious in such a lame way.
“Why thank you, dear. I’m glad you came. I see you’re taking good care of my son. I know he can be a handful sometimes,” Gwen grins and I chuckle.
“That’s what I just said to Embry,” I reply and it’s Gwen’s turn to chuckle.
“Just know he means well,” Gwen replies.
“I know he does,” I nod. He’s been good to me and Thorn, so I know he means well.
“Make yourself at home. Dance and mingle,” she gestures to where others are dancing.
“I will. I should go find Kingston,” I look around the room but don’t see him. I decide to wander down the halls, marveling at the paintings and statues I pass.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” I hear a deep, gravelly voice behind me and I stiffen. I know that voice and it isn’t someone I care about.
“Oh, don’t be that way, Briar. You know I’m the one you want to be with. I saw the look the first day when we were at the diner,” he growls.
“You have got to be kidding me. Me with you? Never going to happen,” I whirl around and snap at him.
“You’re just using Kingston and we both know it. You have always been like that, using people,” he hisses at me, stepping closer to me. I look to see if there is a way out, but all I see is a hallway of doors.
“I’m not using Kingston. I love him. Get off his property,” I yell at him.
“I was invited,” he smirks and I almost choke on air.
“You were invited? I find that hard to believe. I think Detective Parks is here. He’s been looking for you,” I am bluffing. I want him to leave me alone, but I’ve managed to enrage him.
I feel the wind get knocked out of me as he pushes me up against the wall and his hand wraps around my throat.
“Listen here, bitch. You aren’t supposed to be with him. You belong to me. You are really pissing me off since you can’t seem to get that through your head, Rose,” he seethes.
I’m struggling to breathe, as I claw at his hands, hoping he releases me.
“Let her go, Lane,” I hear a voice, but I can’t place it, all I’m thinking about is trying to breathe.
“Or what, Tristan?”
“You don’t want to know,” Tristan growls and I’m tossed to the floor.
The last thing I see is Tristan lunging at Lane before I black out.