Page 75 of To Steal a Heart
She couldn’t argue with Grandmother there. Everything was muddled. It was like someone took her life, poured it down the garbage disposal, and turned on the switch. Only one thing stood out to Arden at this moment. She couldn’t sit back and do nothing. She had to act. No longer would she be a pawn in Garrett’s games. After all was said and done, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t warn Katia about Garrett. “I’m going to talk to Katia now.”
“What?” Grandmother exclaimed, a wild look overtaking her features. She pounded the desk with her palm. “That’s not smart.”
Arden tightened her jaw, refusing to be quelled by Grandmother’s show of power. “It’s the right thing to do.”
Grandmother’s chest moved up and down like a bellow. “At least wait until I can get someone to check the Bergmans out.”
“No, it’ll be too late.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” Grandmother hissed, her face going red. “I wish you would listen to me. You’ve always been too bullheaded for your own good.”
Arden gripped the arms of the chair. “Why do you even care?” she taunted. “You said that everyone has an ulterior motive. Well, what’s yours?” It was satisfying to see the shock that registered on Grandmother’s face.
She blinked a few times before responding. When she spoke, her words came out prickly and defensive. “The only ulterior motive I have is keeping my family safe. Like it or not, that means you.”
“You don’t care about me,” she heaved back as all of her past disappointments rose up like an angry monster, demanding to be heard. “You never have.” Why couldn’t Grandmother be normal? Like those grandmothers who baked cookies and actually supported their grandkids.
Josette let out a long sigh. “Stop having a pity party. Of course I care. You’re my granddaughter. To make matters worse, I look at you and see myself.” She looked up at the ceiling as her lower lip trembled. Then, she drew in a forceful breath, her angular shoulders shaking with the movement. “I want you to be happy.” Her words lost air as she gurgled a wet cough and began again. “I don’t want you to end up bitter and disillusioned like me.”
For a second, Arden was at a loss for words. She’d never seen Grandmother show this much emotion. A pang of sympathy went through her. “You’re right. I don’t want to end up bitter and disillusioned, which is why I need to do the right thing.”
“You’re not listening,” she hissed.
“I am, actually. The fastest way for me to heal from this is to make sure that Garrett can’t hurt anyone else. I happen to believe that the Bergmans came here for the very reasons that they claim. And I feel that it’s my moral obligation to warn them that their diamond is at risk.” She got to her feet.
Apprehension seeped into Grandmother’s voice. “Are you going there now?”
“Yep, I am.”
Time seemed to halt as the two eyed one another. Arden felt a swell of victory when resignation settled over Grandmother’s features. Maybe Grandmother was finally seeing her as an equal instead of her snotty-nosed granddaughter, whom she could order around to suit her whims. Grandmother’s voice sounded old and tired. “If you’re bound and determined to embark on this foolhardy course, then I’m going with you.”
A disbelieving laugh riddled Arden’s throat. “Thanks for the sentiment, but I need to do this alone.”
Grandmother worked her jaw. “Fine, but I want you to come back here and give me a full report immediately afterward.” She jabbed the tip of her bony index finger into the table as she spoke. The determination in her eyes let Arden know that the hard-nosed power player was back full force.
Gah! It was tiresome to go head-to-head with Grandmother. She was a fierce adversary. Arden’s headache was worsening, and she was weary to the bone. “I’ll update you first thing in the morning. How’s that?” She was ready to go back home, take two ibuprofen, and get some rest. If only she could run away from this and pretend that she’d never met Garrett Singleton.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Grandmother harrumphed. “Someone has to take me home. It might as well be you.”
“Glad I can be of service.”
Grandmother didn’t bat an eye. “You can update me on the way there.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll swing by and grab you before I leave the hotel. Are you going to stay here in the office or go back to the party?”
“I’m staying here.” She shuddered. “All of that pink makes me nauseous.”
Arden couldn’t help but laugh. “They certainly broke the mold when they made you.”
Grandmother gave her a meaningful look. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
CHAPTER 18
Talk about irony. The last time Arden had been in this suite was the night she had it out with Hector and threw the vase at the fireplace. It made sense that Katia would be in one of the suites. This particular suite had two bedrooms. Arden assumed that Astor and Katia would share the same suite, but when Arden asked which suite the Bergmans were staying in, the woman working the front desk informed her that Astor and Katia were in separate suites. Maybe the father and daughter needed their space. Arden wouldn’t mind sharing a suite with either of her parents or siblings, but no way could she share one with Grandmother, even if they had separate bedrooms.
When the desk clerk had rattled off the room number, Arden hadn’t thought twice about it. She’d not realized it was the same suite that she’d booked for Hector until she got up here.
She ran a hand over the bodice of her gown as she straightened her shoulders. The best she could hope for was that this ordeal would be over soon. Once she told Katia about Garrett, she was washing her hands of the whole thing. Arden had allowed Garrett to wield far too much power over her. Enough was enough! She had to take charge of her life. That was the only way she would have any peace.