Deviant (Boys of Winter #3) - Sheridan Anne Page 0,139
father had even met Brynn. It’s not her fault. She promises that she didn’t know he was married, but she just fell in love, and we’ve all been there, right? When you’re in love, nothing else matters.”
The women around her sigh, their hearts melting for her as some place their hands on her shoulders, lending her support while others nod their heads in understanding.
“I was adopted by the Michaelson family when I was six and they raised me all these years, but I never forgot her or the few brief moments I got to spend with my father before he was so abruptly taken away.”
“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Beckett says, tilting her head as the bullshit Ember is spewing pulls on her heart strings. “I can’t imagine how that must have felt for you.”
Ember nods and I try not to gag as I continue making an arc around them, listening from every angle and taking in each of the faces of the women that I'm now going to have to watch out for. “My mom … my real mom, Paris, she was struggling, especially after London passed. It was such a tragedy. I don’t know how she would have gotten through it. Losing someone like that is awful, but they were twin sisters …”
Nope. Just no.
She doesn’t get to use my mother in her bullshit sob story. It’s not going to happen.
My jaw clenches and just as I’m finding somewhere to throw this tray, a high-pitched, joyful squeal comes tearing through the party. “DANTE!”
Dante? What the fuck? Who the hell around here has the nerve to call him by his first name?
Carver’s head whips around so fast and I follow the voice, instantly seeking out who would have the power to gain Carver’s attention so fast. A small body crashes into his arms, jumping up into the air and holding as tight as possible. Hell, she’s holding him so tight that I’m even a little bit jealous.
Before Carver gets a chance to recover, a second body comes barreling into him, clutching onto his legs and holding on for dear life, and as he pulls his head back, I see nothing but pure joy. It’s the same look in his eyes as when he’s looking at me, only this one is filled with years of fondness and unconditional love.
It’s clear as day that these girls are his little sisters and that’s made even more obvious when his mother walks in and my blood runs cold. The last time I saw her … well, shit. It didn’t go down so well, particularly because my hands were still dripping with the blood of her dead husband.
I find myself shrinking back into the crowd, not ready to face that unhinged cow when her gaze sweeps through the room and lands on me. Her expression darkens and I realize that no matter what, dealing with her is going to be a war, so I raise my chin and make a point that I am not afraid of her. If anything, she should be the one scared about returning to a town that’s run under my leadership.
I plaster a bored expression over my face and slice my gaze back to Carver, letting her know that she’s not worth my attention and watch as Carver starts talking to the girls. He’s too far away to make out his conversation, but I wouldn’t want to anyway. This is private between him and his little sisters.
I try to focus on what I’m doing, even more certain that tonight is going to go down in the record books. After all, with both Ember and Ida Carver here now, I can guarantee that either one of them is going to pull some ridiculous little attention-seeking stunt. Hell, Ember is in the middle of hers right now.
I slink back into the crowd and when the tray is emptied of fresh drinks and replaced with used glasses, I hurry back into the kitchen.
Tonight is supposed to be about Cruz and Grayson, yet I’ve been walking around this party for over an hour and I haven’t even had a single thought about them. My hands slam down on the kitchen counter and all the busy wait staff pause to glance my way before going about their business.
“Are you alright, dear?” a soft, familiar voice asks from beside me.
I glance over at Cruz’s mom and let out a sigh. “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I tell her. “I just …”