The clouds overhead begin to darken, their fluffy texture growing heavy to match the weight pushing on my chest. My movements speed up, chasing the keys in an effort to save her. Large green eyes flick to me worriedly, pure panic gripping her delicate features. A fork of lightning flashes in the distance as my heart pounds in time with my fingers, the sweat covering my body coordinating with a sudden downpour of rain in my mind. She turns and runs, taking my soul with her as I use the melody to mourn her once again.
The crescendo I created lessens, my eyes cracking open to stare into the dancing flames carefully contained with the fireplace. I’m hot everywhere expect the empty hole in my chest, my hands shaking as I bring the piece to a close. The last few notes linger in the air, my fingers desperate to hang onto her memory for a few moments more. Dragging myself upright, I close the piano lid and inhale deeply, recovering from the onslaught of emotion that has left me blissfully numb.
“Holy shit,” Dax’s voice reaches me, but I ignore him. I may have played in their company, but that release was solely for my benefit. The door opens abruptly, slamming back against the wall as a strikingly gorgeous blonde enters on painfully tall heels.
“Sorry I’m late, hope I didn’t miss the fun.”
Axel
My eyes remain glued on Garrett’s face, the strength passing through his hand on my thigh the only reason I’m still in my seat. I’d happily bust my stitches to launch myself across this table and choke out that conceited son of a bitch tripping over himself to please my mom. Visions of each and every way I could hurt him are soothing my twisted soul after Avery’s beautifully haunted music has brought every emotion I refused to feel to the surface. I could pummel him with my fists, smash a vase over his head, strangle him with the curtain tie. I appreciate he would be taking the brunt of my anger on behalf of my mother, but I don’t hit women – even if they are psychotic bitches. And he must have known about our stained relationship when he married her, so I’m willing to bet he’d take any punishment I wish to deliver on her behalf. ‘Til death do they part and all that.
The chair beside me scrapes back, a leg knocking mine beneath the table and I know instantly it’s not Avery’s. Garrett is looking at the unwelcomed guest curiously, but I honestly don’t give a shit who it is. I knew my mother was up to something the second she requested my presence down here. We only ever had family dinners in this room on Christmas Day, my father sitting in this very chair while I built by recently unwrapped model rockets by his side. A high-pitched squeal draws me from my memory, breaking my intent focus on Garrett’s lips to see Avery dragging the girl from the seat by a handful of her blonde hair.
“You’re in my seat,” Avery says calmly, shifting into place the second the leggy guest has scrambled out of the way. I smirk over and she throws me a subtle wink back. Without needing to be asked, Avery has my back and knowing that has my mood lifting instantly. I’m not the vulnerable kid I use to be, I’m the real man of this house now and with my Shadowed Souls around me, it’s time to have some fun. Straightening her red dress with more composure than I’d have expected, Blondie moves further down to sit beside Dax just as a round of champagne arrives. Garrett immediately reaches over to remove the champagne glass that’s place in front of me over to join his, catching the retreating waiter to request an orange juice for me since I can’t drink on my meds. Swoon.
“This is Sasha,” my mom speaks directly to me. “She is Richard’s niece and is very- “
“I don’t give a fuck,” I interrupt, staring her dead in the eye. My plan to actively avoid her may have floated straight down shit creek but that doesn’t mean I will be courteous. My mom pouts her pink lips as if that would change my attitude.
“I’m sure you two would hit it off if you gave her a chance. She’s studying aerospace engineering and already has an apprenticeship waiting at NASA when she completes her degree.” Huh, that does sound pretty cool but unfortunately for Blondie, she is associated with the devil incarnate by rubbing shoulders with my mother. “Maybe you should accompany her to the annual Caudwell Gala next month?” Blondie’s dark eyes flick to me uncertainly and I can’t tell if she’s actually interested or also being forced into this farce.
“If I was going to attend some stupid gala where you will no doubt be, my preferred date would have a little more packaging between his legs.” I reach over to slip my hand into the backwards collar around Garrett’s neck and pull him close to rub noses with me. Eskimo kisses. Cocking his eyebrow, he stares at me expectantly until I’ve realised my mistake and a laugh escapes my lips. “Sorry, a lot more packaging.”
“Come now, Axel. Stop being ridiculous, I want grandkids while I’m still young enough to enjoy them.” I release Garrett to roll my eyes, finding a missed cobweb in the corner of the ceiling to stare at.
“Valuable goods, you mean,” Garret scoffs. His grip tightens on my thigh, more likely to restrain himself from flying into a rage rather than in support of me but I still love that he’s come to my aid. However, I know for a fact his vicious words or even breaking a bunch of valuable shit won’t phase my mom. No, the way to get under her skin is by taking away what she really cares about – her money and popularity. That’s why she hates
