Page 68 of Shattered Veil
The colors and the fabrics register, along with the scent.
Mine.
These aremyclothes.
The ones I left at Wesley’s house.
Shaking, I pick through them with mixed feelings of dread, reminding me of what I went through. I ran off, leaving all of these behind on the battlefield.
A door opens a few apartments away, and I bolt around, ready to scream, expecting to see Wesley strolling toward me. But the neighbor with his Yorkie leaving for their morning walk waves to me.
This box means that Wesley knows Dad and I are back from Australia. That he knows I’m here. And got into thebuilding. My heart pounds thinking he was probably standing at our door just moments earlier. In the back of my head, I knew it was only a matter of time. Closing the flap, a thick envelope catches my eyes. Touching it, dread fills my heart. It’s thick.
I lift the box and bring it into my bedroom. My father can’t see this. He can’t know Wesley was here. He’ll tell Balor and a war will break out.
The envelope, like the box, isn’t sealed, and I see it’s stuffed with a wad of notebook pages torn out from a book filled with Wesley’s handwriting.
Bile rises in my throat. I can’t read this. Iwon’tread a word. He’s either apologizing again or threatening me. I want to burn these pages along with the clothes that will only remind me of the person Wesley abused.
I shove everything into my closet and close the door.
When I get back into the living room and open the front door again, a tall man in a suit stands there and I scream.
“Ella, it’s me,” Trace gently grips my upper arms. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’m sorry.” I nearly puke, my nerves are shot. “I’m running late.”
“What’s wrong?” He glances around and whispers into my ear. “Is someone in the apartment? Just nod, you don’t have to say anything else.”
“No, no. I’m here by myself,” I say.
Then again, I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything anymore.
“Do you have everything?” He spins around, seeing my work bag and purse on the floor.
“I do.” I quickly lift them and press it all against my chest.
Trace stays silent on the ride to Astoria, and I do breathing exercises to calm down.
In the driveway of the townhouse, he says, “I have ameeting with one of the other O’Rourke brothers. I’ll be back to drive you both to the command center afterward. The boss knows.”
Nodding, I get out and use my key to enter through the kitchen like I normally do.
Since yesterday, Balor’s been distant.
My heart breaks when he stays in bed after I wake him up and doesn’t give me my usual show.
God, I’m addicted to seeing him naked.
He doesn’t even mention the money I spent at the store yesterday. It’s like he doesn’t care.
I consider mentioning the box Wes dropped off, but I’d only do it to get a reaction and make myself feel better.
Instead, I close the bedroom door and amble down the stairs, feeling sorry for myself. The sight of a stunning blonde at the front door knocks me from my pity party.
Shocked, I open the door. “Yes?”
“I’m here to see Balor.” The bombshell stands on the front steps, staring at the green goop stain on my shirt from Balor’s morning smoothie.