Proof of Life (The Potentate of Atlanta #4) - Hailey Edwards Page 0,35

a valid excuse to pass, I reassured myself it wasn’t cowardice but prudence to decline.

“Hadley is going to her room,” Tisdale informed them as she joined us. “She needs to rest.”

Gwyllgi hearing being what it was, I figured she had followed our conversation from across the room.

“This is Tisdale Kinase.” I handled the introduction. “Alpha of the Atlanta gwyllgi pack.”

“Kinase.” Mother’s features hardened. “Your daughter is a neighbor of mine.”

A swell of pride in her daughter swept across Tisdale’s face. “Yes, I believe so.”

“Her pack makes an unholy racket. Like small dogs barking.” She tightened her scowl when she noticed her gaze kept sliding down Tisdale’s face, unable to hold her stare. “Do you know how grating that is on the nerves? I try to garden, but what they get up to gives me a headache.”

Staring right at her, Tisdale admitted, “I have experienced grating on the nerves, yes.”

I almost laughed, and it was as if Mother sensed it. She flipped her gaze to mine, and I coughed loudly.

“Perhaps you could mention to her that her neighbors would appreciate some peace.” Mother mashed her lips flat. “I would hate to get the Society involved.”

“I’ll mention your concerns to Linus,” Tisdale returned smoothly. “He and Grier live between you and my daughter’s pack. If there is a noise problem, I’m sure he’s noticed it too. He can bring it up to his mother the next time they chat.”

The veiled threat put color in Mother’s cheeks. She was out of favor with the Grande Dame, and she knew it. She had no intention of making a case against Lethe and her pack for that very reason. She just wanted to throw Tisdale’s daughter’s imperfections in her face.

Huh.

I was definitely sensing a theme here.

“That won’t be necessary,” Mother clipped out. “Adelaide, I’ll wait for you outside. This lobby does nothing for my allergies.”

Eyes on me, she snapped out her hand, and I flinched away from it.

Flinched?

More like I fell over myself avoiding the blow.

Except she hadn’t tried to hit me. She wanted to shake my hand.

Crimson flecks ignited in the depths of Tisdale’s eyes as she read my body language.

“I was in a fight earlier tonight,” I babbled in explanation. “I’m still jittery with adrenaline.”

Withdrawing her hand, Mother edged away from me. “I hope you can join us for a tour of the museum.”

There went the hope they were here for a garden art party. A museum, with various exhibits and private spaces, would be much harder to secure. Maybe impossible. I would definitely talk to Addie about nixing the viewing. Our parents would be total brats about it, of that I had no doubt, but they would be alive to kick their feet and roll across the floor. No art was worth paying your life as admission.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I lied through my teeth. “Enjoy your dinner.”

Purpose in her stride and phone to her ear, she exited the building and disappeared from view.

Tisdale’s pointed stare burned a hole through my right ear, straight to my brain, but she didn’t ask me if I was okay or all right, and I was glad. I didn’t want to lie to her. Pretty sure with her keen senses, she heard my knees knocking the whole time I spoke to my mother.

“Why do people think dog jokes are hurtful to gwyllgi?” Tisdale deftly smoothed over the awkwardness. “I love dogs. I hope she is allergic to them. No animal deserves the treatment she would give it.”

Lips parting to agree, I shut them just as fast to avoid inviting more conversation.

Addie swooped in, her head bowed and her fingers twisting in a knot. “I am so sorry.”

“You’re Hadley’s big sister.” Tisdale patted Addie’s tangled hands. “I’m so glad to meet you.”

“She’s not that…” Addie mashed her lips together. “Okay, she is that bad.”

“It’s all right,” Tisdale assured her, but her knowing gaze met mine. “I don’t hold children responsible for the words or actions of their parents.”

Dread twisted through my chest, a corkscrew to the heart.

She knew.

Tisdale knew.

Or she suspected.

Frak, frak, frak.

No. I was being paranoid. That was all. Tisdale didn’t know I was a Pritchard by birth. I was projecting. Yeah. Projecting. That was it.

Where’s a teleporter when I need one?

Had I not already given my heart to Midas, I would have offered it up on a silver platter just then. He strode across the lobby, aiming straight for me. He didn’t stop until we stood toe to toe, and he engulfed me