Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,30
we can get some bonus points with the senator at my party.”
“It’s quite an honor.” She stood taller. “How many of your friends have a senator at their party?”
“Gosh, Mom, I’m not sure. I’ll look into that.” I turned to walk away and murmured, “Right after I update my Facebook status.”
As I entered the sitting room, I caught a glimpse of Bryce at the far end of the room. Since he seemed occupied, talking with a man I didn’t know, I took a glass of wine from one of the caterers and turned. Being the guest of honor, I’d undoubtedly need to talk to him eventually, but I could delay that reunion as long as possible.
“Welcome home.”
Shit! I should have gone toward Bryce.
“Suzanna,” I tried for my most confident tone. “It’s nice to see you.”
“And you.”
“How are you these days?”
“Disappointed.”
My attempt at friendly small talk was shot to hell. Do I bite, or do I smile and walk away? I tilted my head and gave her my most sympathetic sigh. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope things get better.”
“I have every reason to believe they will.”
“That’s great.”
Her tone lowered. “Don’t do it again.”
I straightened my neck. “Excuse me, don’t do what?”
“You know very well what I’m talking about. Don’t break his heart.”
“Suzanna, I haven’t seen or spoken to your—”
“I’m well aware of your lack of communication. But now that you’re home and he’s working for Montague—”
Interrupting her, I spoke in a hushed whisper. “I’m not home. I’m here for a visit. I will be leaving for law school in a matter of—”
A large hand landed on my shoulder as his voice whispered menacingly between Suzanna and me. “I hope we’re having a nice time at your party, Alexandria.”
My skin crawled at his touch. Stepping forward I turned toward my stepfather. “We’re just having a private discussion.”
Suzanna stood mute as I faced Alton.
“Don’t embarrass me or your mother. Perhaps private discussions would be better held in private.”
I returned my smile to my lips. To an outsider, I was having a nice conversation with Alton. “Perhaps if you were concerned about my embarrassing you, you should have thrown my party without me.”
“Alexandria, there are plans in the works. You don’t want to be the catalyst that changes them.”
“Someone needs to tell me what’s going on. I can’t support or change plans that I know nothing about.”
Alton reached for my arm, his grip tighter than it appeared. “Come with me.”
I planted my feet into the lush carpet, willing my heels to grow roots. “Unhand me this instant,” I said through gritted teeth, “or I promise you the biggest scene you’ve ever witnessed.” Red seeped from the collar of his shirt turning his neck crimson. Before it reached his face I added, “I’m sure the senator and some of your other cohorts would love to see your daughter lose her shit.”
He released my arm and leaned closer. “In my office in five minutes.” With that he turned and walked toward Bryce and the other man.
Suzanna’s eyes were wide as she stared at me. Instead of responding, I shook my head. The waiter was back with the tray of goblets of wine and I reached out and stopped him. Tipping my glass back, I emptied it, placed it on the tray, and took another. With a boost of liquid confidence, I turned back to Bryce’s mother. “It was a pleasure.” I allowed my usually-suppressed accent to grow thicker. “Let’s do lunch, shall we?”
I turned before she could reply.
As I resumed my duties as guest of honor, I fell into a nice conversation with one of my mother’s friends about Stanford. I hadn’t realized that she too was an alumna. It was so nice talking about the campus and hearing her memories that I lost track of time. Maybe it wasn’t that I lost track. Maybe it was my coping mechanism, the way I survived. I blocked out my confrontations with Alton like others blocked out a bad day at work. Once it was over, I put it aside. It didn’t do any good to dwell or recount it. Years of medicine for anxiety taught me that. I had forgotten all about my summons to his office until my mother appeared at my side.
“Excuse us, Betty.” My mother turned toward me. “Dear, we need you for a few minutes.” Speaking to both of us, she added, “It won’t take long.”
“What is this about?”
“I should have told you this afternoon. It was just that we were