Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Grave’s butler emerged. “You’re awake.” It seemed like a question, but it was worded as a statement and also mixed with a judgmental look.
I was used to this attitude from Hugo, but not Raymond. Raymond and I used to get along, but it looked like those days were long over. “Yes.”
“Take a seat. I’ll bring you something.”
“Peanut butter and jelly is fine.”
Raymond looked revolted. “Will children be dining with you today?”
“No—”
“Then don’t insult us. You’re no longer the woman of the house—and don’t you forget it.”
“Raymond.” Grave’s deep voice came from the sitting room. As if he spoke into a microphone, his voice was audible in every corner. “She’s trying to inconvenience you as little as possible, and you know that.” He emerged at my side, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. He must have just come home because he was usually in his sweatpants when he was around the house.
Raymond paused before he swallowed his retort. “My apologies, sir.” He headed to the kitchen on the other side of the apartment.
I was in the same clothes I’d worn last night because I didn’t even bring a bag in with me. I’d washed my face in the sink and didn’t reapply my makeup. Didn’t even brush my hair. When I’d left Cauldron, my head was held high, but now, I crashed and burned like a dumpster fire.
Grave studied the side of my face. “Hope you got some sleep.”
“I got a lot of sleep.” Could sleep some more, actually.
“Some food will make you feel better.” He moved to the table and pulled out a chair for me.
I stared at it. “I’m sorry about last night. Hope I didn’t ruin your evening.”
He walked away.
“Grave?”
He halted and turned back to me, only partially.
“Have you spoken to Cauldron?”
After a long stare, he shook his head.
The disappointment hit me like a punch in the gut. I’d hoped Cauldron had reached out to cope with his own misery. But he’d probably slept like a baby, on a mattress made of my dignity. “So, you and Elise are serious?”
His eyes narrowed in annoyance. “My personal life is none of your business.”
“I was just wondering—”
“Then don’t wonder.” He turned away again. He was kind to me last night, but he seemed to be back to his brooding and standoffish behavior. I never realized how similar Grave and Cauldron were until then.
To my own shame, I kept checking my phone…to see if he’d called.
He didn’t.
He didn’t even care if I was okay. Didn’t care where I’d driven off to. I could be anywhere right now, be in bed with another man, and it made no difference to him. I’d left Grave because I wanted to start my own life, find a nice guy and settle down, and now I didn’t want to do that because there was no such thing as a nice guy.
Absolute bullshit.
I gathered what few things I’d brought and entered the parlor, prepared to thank Grave for his hospitality and leave. It was evening, so the windows were lit up with the lights of the city. It got dark so early now that by the time I was ready to leave, it was dark again.
I walked down the hallway to his study and found him behind his desk. He was still dressed in his clothes, like he had plans that evening. I announced my presence by giving a gentle knock on the door.
He didn’t look up, like he knew I was there before I even came into view. “Yes?”
I crossed the room and approached the desk. “You’re working late.” He’d never worked late when I lived with him, unless it was outside the house at a meeting or dinner.
He flashed me a furious look, like he didn’t want to be reminded of our time together.
“I wanted to thank you for letting me crash here. I’ll be on my way.”
“And where will you go?”
“I-I don’t know yet.” I’d lain in bed all day and done nothing. Didn’t look up a single apartment listing. Did nothing except shed a few tears and drown in self-loathing. I should have left Cauldron a long time ago. And I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. So fucking stupid.
Grave studied me across his walnut-colored desk. “Stay.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to intrude—”
“You can leave when you have a place to stay. I’ll help you find an apartment and get you settled.”
“You don’t have to do that—”
“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do, so that must mean I want to.”
I stared at the man behind the desk, feeling like I was meeting him for the first time. He was different than I remembered. “Well…thank you.” I got to my feet and left the office, feeling his powerful eyes pierce me in the back like bullets.
4
CAULDRON
Hugo set the tray at the edge of the desk.