“Let me tell my babysitters where I’m going,” Tisdale said, “and then I’m taking you to your apartment.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As I stood there, next to the elevators and sweet escape, Addie came around the bend with her father on her arm. No, that wasn’t right. Our father.
Goddess, having two lives and two families got confusing when my past and present collided in person.
“Hadley.” Addie’s bright greeting made me smile. “What are you doing down here?”
Our father, who hadn’t recognized me, jolted at the sound of my name and spun toward me.
A flash of hope that almost blinded me filled his hazy eyes, but then he saw me, and all that vanished.
“I need a drink,” he murmured. “I’ll meet you at Michelle’s.”
An upscale restaurant for a simple family dinner, but it was Society owned, and I bet half Mother’s enjoyment came from knowing Boaz, therefore she, had to foot the exorbitant bill in front of their peers.
No wonder Addie was so keen on cooking. I would hit the grocer to skip the spectacle of shame too.
Addie watched him go, her shoulders tight, and Mother pounced on that show of weakness.
“Honestly, I don’t understand why you booked him a room.” Her lips curved in the mockery of a smile. “He never leaves the bar. You might as well have booked him a stool.”
Hurt and embarrassment colored Addie’s cheeks, and she was the last person who deserved the barbed tip of my mother’s tongue lashing her.
Crossing to them, I took Addie’s hand. “You’re heading out to dinner?”
Our sister-bonding time flew out the window as she nodded, her gaze tagging my mother as if to explain the change in plans, but I was okay with a quiet night at home with Midas.
“We’re just waiting on Boaz.” She pulled herself taller. “He’s always the last one ready.”
“Why does he need so much gel when he barely has any hair?”
Addie snickered and held on tight, but Mother’s shoulders snapped back on my periphery.
“How are you familiar with my son’s dressing habits?” Her lips twisted. “Or do I want to know?”
“This is Hadley Whitaker,” Addie said coolly. “My little sister.”
A spark of interest kindled in her gaze. “The potentate.”
“Apprentice,” I said, my heart booming in my ears, my spine wilting by slow degrees, “but yes.”
“An unorthodox appointment for a woman,” she said, but not unkindly. “What drew you here?”
Since it would have outed me to say I came to escape from you, I opted for a more diplomatic response. “I wanted to make a difference.”
More polite than made me comfortable, she inclined her head slightly. “Are you joining us for dinner?”
Grateful for a valid excuse to pass, I reassured myself it wasn’t cowardice but prudence to decline.
“Hadley is going to her room,” Tisdale informed them as she joined us. “She needs to rest.”
Gwyllgi hearing being what it was, I figured she had followed our conversation from across the room.
“This is Tisdale Kinase.” I handled the introduction. “Alpha of the Atlanta gwyllgi pack.”
“Kinase.” Mother’s features hardened. “Your daughter is a neighbor of mine.”
A swell of pride in her daughter swept across Tisdale’s face. “Yes, I believe so.”
“Her pack makes an unholy racket. Like small dogs barking.” She tightened her scowl when she noticed her gaze kept sliding down Tisdale’s face, unable to hold her stare. “Do you know how grating that is on the nerves? I try to garden, but what they get up to gives me a headache.”
Staring right at her, Tisdale admitted, “I have experienced grating on the nerves, yes.”
I almost laughed, and it was as if Mother sensed it. She flipped her gaze to mine, and I coughed loudly.
“Perhaps you could mention to her that her neighbors would appreciate some peace.” Mother mashed her lips flat. “I would hate to get the Society involved.”
“I’ll mention your concerns to Linus,” Tisdale returned smoothly. “He and Grier live between you and my daughter’s pack. If there is a noise problem, I’m sure he’s noticed it too. He can bring it up to his mother the next time they chat.”
The veiled threat put color in Mother’s cheeks. She was out of favor with the Grande Dame, and she knew it. She had no intention of making a case against Lethe and her pack for that very reason. She just wanted to throw Tisdale’s daughter’s imperfections in her face.
Huh.
I was definitely sensing a theme here.
“That won’t be necessary,” Mother clipped out. “Adelaide, I’ll wait for you outside. This lobby does nothing for my allergies.”
Eyes on me, she snapped out her hand, and I flinched away from it.
Flinched?
More like I fell over myself avoiding the blow.
Except she hadn’t tried to hit me. She wanted to shake my hand.
Crimson flecks ignited in the depths of Tisdale’s eyes as she read my body language.
“I was in a fight earlier tonight,” I babbled in explanation. “I’m still jittery with adrenaline.”
Withdrawing her hand, Mother edged away from me. “I hope you can join us for a tour of the museum.”
There went the hope they were here for a garden art party. A museum, with various exhibits and private spaces, would be much harder to secure. Maybe impossible. I would definitely talk to Addie about nixing the viewing. Our parents would be total brats about it, of that I had no doubt, but they would be alive to kick their feet and roll across the floor. No art was worth paying your life as admission.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I lied through my teeth. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Purpose in her stride and phone to her ear, she exited the building and disappeared from view.
Tisdale’s pointed stare burned a hole through my right ear, straight to
