He smiles, but it’s not his real smile. This isn’t the raw, honest Grayson who woke up in my bed with me this morning. “History is history, Rose. Good or bad, there’s no denying the way you two look at each other.” Stepping forwards, he plants a kiss on my cheek. “Enjoy your breakfast, beautiful. If you need me, call.” He’s made it to the door before he adds, “Or better yet, call my brother.”
The door closes, separating us, and though I’m not sad, I know I’ve inadvertently hurt Grayson, and that doesn’t sit quite right with me.
My phone chimes with a new message. Swiping the screen, I sip my milkshake at the same time, reading the message.
Ashton – Hope you’re feeling better this morning. If not, pancakes and milkshake always seemed to help before. XO
Reading his words, I stuff more pancakes dripping with syrup into my mouth and I can’t help it, I smile.
Yeah, they always do….
Chapter 23
Rose
“What’s he doing here?” Camilla mutters.
My focus shifts from Penelope to Camilla and then to Declan sauntering up to the M.E.T steps, a stupid grin on his face I’d quite like to slap off.
“Morning, ladies,” he coos, eyeing us before fixing his sights on me. “Rose.”
“This is a girls only affair,” Penelope tuts from beside me.
“Aww, Rose doesn’t mind, do you?” he asks, closing the space between us and slotting himself beside me, his arm wrapping around my shoulder.
Yes! Gritting my teeth, I remember my mother’s words this morning before I left for school. “I know this isn’t easy, Rose, but if I do a good job of this event, it will solidify my place here, and we can finally get out from under my father’s foot. Do you think I like going to Sunday brunch each week? Because I don’t, but I hold my tongue because we need him, Rose. So please, just give me a few more days.”
“I’ll let you off, just this once,” I answer, surprising myself with the easiness in my tone.
Placing a finger under my chin, Declan turns my face toward his and smirks. “Thought so.” His lips find mine and I shut down, becoming a robot with no emotion. I’m an actress and this is my stage. “My mother tells me yours is working for her,” Declan continues. “You can thank me later.” His mouth dips to my ear, causing me to shudder as I fight the urge to move away. “When we’re alone.”
“Well.” Penelope claps her hands. “We best be off. School begins soon.”
Grateful for the excuse, I pry myself away from Declan and stand, sliding my arm through Penelope’s as she straightens too. “Shopping tonight?” she asks. “I want to try a gown on I’ve had my eye on for the masquerade ball.”
We head down the steps, the other girls fanning out around us as we do, and I’m hoping Declan gets the picture by the girl talk and leaves me alone, but the next moment, his hand is sliding into my free one and he’s joining in with our conversation. “Have you picked a dress yet, Rose?”
“No.” I smile.
“I tried to convince my mother to drop the stupid ‘all men must wear the same mask’ rule, but she wasn’t having any of it.”
“It adds to the mystery,” Penelope answers. “We could be dancing with anyone.”
He laughs. “Except you’d recognize our voices.”
“Not everyone’s,” she argues.
Their arguing grates my skin, and as we turn the corner, Albany Nightingale in the distance, I see Ashton and Grayson climbing out of their car, Taylor holding open the door for them. Grayson’s speaking with Taylor but soon looks my way when he notices Ashton’s reaction to Declan’s arm around my shoulder. My stomach drops as conflict passes through Ashton’s eyes.
“Rose,” Grayson calls as he pats Taylor on the back, dismissing him. “Come help me with something.”
“What’s he want?” Declan mutters.
Pecking Declan on the cheek, I pull my hand free, smiling apologetically. “A queen’s duty is never done. See you inside, Pen.”
He chunters in return, but I’m not listening. My heels carry me across the pavement as fast as I dare, while Grayson whispers something into Ashton’s ear that has him studying me closely.
“What’s up?” I ask, coming to a stop in front of my two favorite boys.
“Nothing.” Grayson shrugs. “Just didn’t like that asshole having his arm around you.”
I roll my eyes. “I can look after myself, Gray.”
“If you could, you’d have him digging for dirt instead of playing this game, Rose,” Ashton grinds out.
My gaze flickers from boy to boy. “You told him?” I eye Grayson.
“He’s my brother. Besides, I thought he was going to punch Declan,” he replies unapologetically.
I point my finger at the both of them. “You two only use this brother crap when it’s convenient for you.”
“Not anymore,” Ashton answers gruffly. “And Gray’s right. I was thinking about punching him.”
“Careful,” I warn, meeting Ashton’s cinnamon-dusted eyes, “or a girl might read a little too much into those words.”
The air around us grows thick as Ashton’s gaze drops to my lips. My tongue darts out on its own accord, running over my dark pink gloss, beckoning him forward. It’s been so long since I’ve fell into the pool of emotions Ashton conjures inside me. I can almost taste him, feel him, my heart wants to leap from my chest and land at his feet. Stupid thing should know that’s a good way to get trodden on, and we’ve been trodden on way too many times recently.
Grayson coughs pointedly. “The bell’s just rang. We should probably get inside.”
Glaring at Grayson, I pivot on the spot and stroll away, making sure to sway my hips just enough. I’ve no idea what’s going on between Ashton and me, or Grayson and me for that matter, but what I do know is Ashton was going to kiss me and Grayson interrupted us on purpose.
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath. I knew shit was going to get complicated.
***
School drags on and I purposely avoid sitting or even looking at Ashton and Grayson during lunch. Declan, on the other hand, wasn’t that easy to get rid of, and I ended up sending him away three times to buy food or drinks from the cafeteria just to get rid of him—my stomach is uncomfortably full at this point.
“Are you all right?” Penelope asks as we head to our last class of the day. “You left early on my birthday and you’ve been acting weird with Dec all day.”
Sighing, I decide on a partial truth. “My father shares the same birthday as you, Pen, and I forgot it was even his birthday until it came to me at your party. I’m sorry I bailed.”
“Oh… that’s awful, Rose. Don’t even worry about it. It must be so hard not having him at home.”
“It is.” I nod. “I know he’s broken the law and everything, but he’s still my dad and I still miss him.”
“Totally. I get that. So that’s why you’ve been trying to shrug Declan off?”
“Yeah… guess I’m just not in the mood for people at the moment, you know?”
“I can imagine. Unfortunately, he isn’t the smartest of cookies, but he gets an A + for effort. The guy’s been all over you since this morning.”
Tell me about it.
“Luckily he’s got football practice straight after school.” I laugh. “Hey, I’ll meet you in class, just popping to the toilet.”
“Want me to come with?”
“No, I’m all good.”
Parting from my friend, I push through into the toilets only to nearly walk face first into Sophia. A curse falls from her lips until it dies in her throat when she realizes it’s me.
“Rose,” she half whispers, half gasps. “I… um….”
“Move.” My eyes widen. “I’m trying to get to the loo.”
“Loo?” She frowns.
Whatever. I step around her, but before I can disappear into the cubicle, Sophia’s calling my name, halting me in my tracks.
“When will this end?”
>
A cruel smile morphs my face as I turn to face her. “When will what end?”
“My punishment,” she explains quietly.
I chuckle wickedly. “Why would it end, Sophia?”
“Rose… please.” Her eyes are watery, her posture defeated, and a part of me pities her, but for the most part, my evil side wins and revels in her misery.
“Would you forgive me, Sophia, if our roles were reversed? Would my punishment end? In fact, I gave in and asked you to stop, but you never listened, so why should I?”
Her back straightens. “Because you’re better than me.”
Her words ricochet inside of me, leaving destruction in their wake. Am I better than her? Does she even mean it or is Sophia so desperate she’s buttering me up so that I drop my guard? And as I take in her pleading expression, her empty gaze and crumpled demeanor, I think that maybe I was better at one point, before I came to America, before my London life fell apart, before my parents revealed their true selves and Ashton broke my heart. Not so long ago, I was a girl with more sunshine than darkness. I was happier, lighter, untainted.
But the crown upon my head is heavy and the consequences of stealing it cost me more than it should. Albany Nightingale is a crooked kingdom and now I’m it’s twisted ruler.
My hollow laugh echoes off the toilet walls. “Oh, Sophia, you see, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m just as bitter and broken as you. And your punishment… it will go on forever. These walls will never be your salvation again.”
She runs from the toilets, tears in her eyes, and I don’t feel a thing. And if I did, I’d be ignoring my weakness all the way to class.
Chapter 24
Ashton
“Are you ready?” Grayson asks me for what feels like the hundredth time as we travel with my mother to meet with our lawyer and Arthur’s.
“Will you quit asking me that? I’m nervous enough as it is.”
“You should be nervous. My father doesn’t do anything by halves, Ashton. You need to be ready for anything.”
Thanks, bro. Stellar pep talk.
My mother’s small hand slips into mine and squeezes. “I’m not sure I like the way you boys are talking. This is divorce, not war.”
“Same thing,” Grayson mutters.
“It’s also not normally done with the children in the same office,” she adds quietly.
Glancing her way, I smile with what I hope is reassurance. “We aren’t children, Mom, and you’ll need us in there so that he doesn’t railroad you.”
“Which he will do,” Grayson adds. “Believe me, I know my father.”
“I’m not sure your presence is going to help things, Gray. If anything, it will make him angry. You know I love you, but he’s your father and he isn’t going to be happy when I request to have you living with me.”
She fidgets in her seat, pulling at the fitted navy blue skirt she’s wearing. Considering she hasn’t left the penthouse since the last lawyers meeting, she’s holding herself together really well. You’d never tell from looking at her that she fell off the wagon and started drinking again. That her days are spent mostly in bed or in front of the TV waiting for her sons to arrive home. Today, my mom has applied her makeup as if it’s a shield and dressed as if she was born an Upper East-Sider, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.
“Don’t fret, Summer,” Grayson says, leaning across me to pat her hand. “That’s why we brought ammunition.”
Shucking in a deep breath, my mother leans back in her seat, her lips tight. “That’s what’s worrying me. I’m bringing a knife to a gun fight.”
Hugging her close, I kiss her cheek. “We’re holding the guns, so you don’t have to, Mom. I told you I’d look after this family and I’m doing just that. I need you to trust me.”
“I do,” she says, then bends forward, catching Grayson’s gaze. “Both of you. Just be careful, okay?”
“We will, Sum,” Grayson promises.
I kiss her face again. “We will.”
Arriving at our lawyer’s office first, Anthony ushers us toward the meeting room, past spacious offices, talking over a few final things with my mother. Struggling to listen, I take my seat at the large dark wood table, my attention remained fixed on the view beyond the clear office walls, waiting for the moment Arthur appears. Grayson is outside the building waiting as well; our plan is to take over the meeting at the most opportune time and strong-arm Arthur into agreeing with our proposal. I’ve not told Anthony of our plan, but that’s okay; Grayson and I have everything we need to halt my stepfather in his tracks. Today he’s going to find out that he’s not the most powerful man in the room.
His sons are.
“Are you listening to me, Ashton?” Anthony asks sharply.
“Hmm?” I meet his gaze.
“I said keep your cool today. Emotions have no place in this office, understand?”
The only emotion I’ve been channeling is karma. It’s festered and steeped, becoming a potent poison ready to fire.
“I’ll behave,” I mutter as my phone vibrates.
Grayson – Showtime.
The smile that lifts my lips is cold, calculating, and by the looks of my mother, this is a side of me she’s not seen before. “He’s here,” I say, in a tone that doesn’t belong to me.
I don’t scheme. I don’t plot revenge. It has never been my role, but given the circumstances, anyone can be driven to change. Dig deep enough and anyone can find the capacity for vengeance.
Walking out of the elevator, Arthur strides onto the office floor, dressed to impress, his lawyer right behind him. Arthur’s suit is worth thousands, the cut clean and sharp, paired with a striped tie and crisp white shirt. Arthur Bishop looks every bit the wealthy king, but today I’m dressed much the same; you’d never know I was born in Brooklyn.
Dismissing Anthony’s secretary as she rushes out from behind her desk, he strolls past with an air of superiority and enters our meeting room with a pleasant smile. His beady gaze flickering over my mother, our lawyer, to land on me.
That’s right. I’m the one you should watch, asshole.
Standing, I look my stepfather square in the face. I used to fear this man, kill myself to please him and be the perfect son. It was never enough, yet I’d tried because he’d been the man with the power to take our new life away. But today I’m holding the cards. Today I take back my power and make him regret ever sleeping with Sophia.
“Ashton. I’d say it’s a pleasant surprise, but the moment I looked over the documents, I realized I wasn’t divorcing your mother, but you.” He chuckles mildly, opening a button on his suit as he does and takes a seat.
“He’s here for me,” my mother says, speaking for the first time. I’m surprised how strong her words are, how much conviction they hold. “I need his support, after you broke my heart by sleeping with a sixteen-year-old.”
“Oh, please.” Arthur rolls his eyes, completely unaffected by her words. “It was broken when I found it. Drop the act, Summer. We all know you didn’t love me. I was simply a money bank after your real love died.”
My fists clench at the mention of my father’s death. Sensing my rage, Anthony places a hand on my shoulder as if I might leap across the desk at any moment and punch the smug smile of Arthur’s face. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t contemplating just that, but I knew walking in here that my stepfather would try and rile me up. I won’t give him the satisfaction; I don’t need my fists to win this battle.
“Shall we get on with this charade?” Arthur suggests, waving at my seat.
Keeping my silence, I convey all I need to with a single glare, and sit as suggested. Anthony starts his monologue, rehashing what we’ve already laid out in the documents sent to Arthur’s lawyers and while he does, I secretly dial Grayson, keeping my phone on my knee so he can listen in to the conversation and arrive at the exact time he’s needed.
“Yes, yes.” Arthur waves his hand. “I’ve seen the ridiculous demands and I’m not
willing to give in to them. I will, however, be willing to negotiate.”
“What are you willing to agree on, Mr. Bishop?” Anthony asks.
Arthur’s lawyer leans forward, passing over fresh documents. “We’ve already outlined a new agreement for your client, Anthony. As you’ll see, Arthur has graciously offered to increase Mrs. Cole-Bishop’s alimony and included covering the costs of all schooling for Ashton and Josh until the age of twenty-five. Considering your client signed a prenuptial agreement, I’d say this is a generous offer indeed.”
My teeth clench together, muscles going rigid as I fight to keep my mouth closed.
“Yes,” Anthony starts. “She did, but as you’ll be aware, it is null and void due to Mr. Bishop’s affair.”
Arthur’s laugh echoes around the office.
“I’m afraid you’ll need proof of your accusations, Anthony,” Arthur’s lawyer replies mildly.
“Try the entire student body and staff of our children’s school,” my mother snaps. “How dare you try to deny what you did.” Tears fill her eyes, her composure cracking.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I murmur, then palming the USB I’ve had in my jacket pocket, I slap it on the table in front of us, leaning forward. “I have proof.”
For the first time, I see Arthur’s exterior crack. Uncertainly clouds his gaze, his posture slumping the minutest of fractions. “Congratulations, Ashton, you’ve learned to steal a video off the internet and stick it on a drive, but I’m afraid that won’t be enough. You see, technology these days is so advanced, it’s impossible to tell if the footage you’re watching is doctored or not. It might appear as if that was me in the video when in fact it was someone else altered to look like me.”
The balls on this guy. I smile internally. Game over, douchebag “I repeat. I have proof. Original, undoctored, proof.”
He leans back in his chair, rubs his jaw, then shares a glance with his lawyer. “Well,” Arthur begins, sitting straighter as he smiles, “it would appear you picked up more from me than I thought you had, son. Bravo. I never suspected it was you who caught us…. It appears I underestimated your ability to control your temper.”
The Resurrection of Us: A High School Bully Romance (Albany Nightingale Duet Book 2) Page 12