The Price (House of Sin #5) - Elisabeth Naughton Page 0,68

fucked-up day. Slowly, I tugged my sweater up and pushed my bra aside. Bruises marred my skin. Fingertip marks that were already darkening.

Bile threatened again, but I fought it back. Dropping my sweater back down, I glanced at my reflection and knew that even if I could somehow hide those bruises from Luc, he was going to take one look at my pale skin and deer-in-the-headlights eyes and know something had happened.

I forced myself to breath slowly, in and out. Closed my eyes. When my fingers shook against the sink, I grabbed the ceramic object and squeezed until pain shot up my arms.

I could handle this. I was okay. Bruises were nothing. I’d dealt with everything else they’d done to us by sheer strength of will. I just had to keep doing what I’d been doing. I had to stay strong.

Hysteria threatened again, but somehow I beat it back. I couldn’t spend all day in the bathroom.

After splashing water on my face, I fixed my hair as best I could. Then I shuffled toward the bathroom door. When I stepped out, I was surprised to see Eve, the receptionist from upstairs, waiting for me with a mug in her hand.

“You look a little better, but not a whole lot.” She reached for my arm and gently steered me toward a table in the corner of the café. “Sit.” She set the mug in front of me, then took the other seat. “And drink that.”

I lifted the cup to my lips and sipped, then coughed. “It’s whisky.”

“Drink it all. It’ll help.”

Her voice was kind, not chastising, and I did as she said, not because I particularly liked the taste, but because I knew the alcohol would help me relax. And I needed to find some way to stop shaking before I saw Luc.

“Boy, you are a mess,” she said in a soft voice as I lowered the mug to the table. “Don’t worry, though, I’ve got cosmetics upstairs. We’ll get you fixed up before you have to see him.”

I wasn’t sure why she was being so nice to me. Or what she was doing here. “How...? Are they done?”

“Almost. I called your cell, but you didn’t answer. So I came down looking for you. Glad I caught you before you went up.”

This was all too surreal. Too much. I braced my head in my hand. “Y-you don’t seem surprised by this. By me.”

“I’m not. In this job, I’ve seen my fair share of stressed spouses and family members. You’re a little more anxious than most, but it’s understandable, all things considered.”

I had no idea what that meant, and I didn’t want to give away anything more than she already knew—whatever that might be.

“Don’t worry.” Her hand closed over mine against the mug. “Abigail is very good at what she does.”

I closed my eyes, fighting back another wave of sickness because I didn’t even want to think about what Abigail “did.” Or was doing upstairs with my husband.

“It’s all very innocent, I promise,” Eve said with a smile in her voice, as if she’d read my mind. “They’re just talking. Abigail has a way of getting to the root of what’s really bothering a person. And she’s been dealing with Entente families for a long time. Things will be better after this, trust me.”

I wanted to believe her, but I’d learned not to believe anyone in this world. “Are you sure?” I glanced up at her. “They’re just talking?”

“Absolutely. Abigail and Felicity Merrick have been friends for years. Felicity called a few days ago and said you or your husband might be making an appointment. Then she threatened Abigail within an inch of her life if she did anything to mess up your relationship. To be honest, I think Abby was a little afraid to meet you.”

Some part of me was thrilled by that news—although mutedly so.

I drew in a shaky breath, fighting the panic that still wanted to pull me under, trying to forget what had happened in that darkened entryway. “This is all my fault,” I whispered. “All of it. He wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for me.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.” I slid both hands into my hair and fisted the locks, pulling just hard enough to send a shot of pain across my scalp. “If I hadn’t stuck my nose where it didn’t belong, Luc would still be in New York. None of this would have happened to him. His family wouldn’t have their hooks in