Deception (Infidelity #3)

“What happened?” I asked.

He looked over my shoulder toward the SUV as a limousine pulled past it and up to the edge of the walkway.

I turned back to see both Clayton and Deloris standing beside the SUV looking as though they were both ready to run in my direction.

“Come home and we’ll discuss this. Alone,” he emphasized the last word.

“Discuss it now. I don’t want to go back to the manor. I want to see my mother.”

Alton’s tone lowered. “You see, Alexandria, that’s the problem. For too long you’ve been coddled. Your days of getting what you want are over. It’s time you acquiesced to your future, the same way Laide did.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you don’t. You’ve been too wrapped up in your own frivolities to worry about what’s important. Perhaps if you hadn’t been off in New York, you would have been able to help your mother. Now her fate is in my hands.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

I cringed as he reached toward me and placed a hand on my shoulder. My stomach turned as he inclined his face closer to mine and his warm, putrid breath filled my nose.

“Turn around, Alexandria.”

I did, not because I wanted to obey him, but because I needed to breathe fresh air. Brantley was standing near the open door to the limousine.

Alton spoke near my ear, his hand still holding my shoulder. “If you want to see your mother, or if she has a chance of ever being released from this facility, you will get in that car and do as you’re told.”

I looked back toward Deloris and Clayton.

“Alexandria, I won’t ask again.”

My eyes closed, blocking out the afternoon sun as I clenched my teeth and shook his hand away. With a deep breath, I took one step and then another. As I walked the plank to my own death, I said goodbye to Charli.

Alexandria nodded to Brantley and climbed into the backseat of the limousine.

Before the door was shut, encasing us in the cool, dim interior, my phone vibrated with an incoming call.

“Give me your purse,” Alton said with his hand extended.

I lifted my sunglasses to the top of my head and stared. “What? No.”

Tears prickled my eyes and I turned quickly as my face stung from the slap of his palm against my cheek.

What the hell?

I sent daggers flying from my eyes as I blinked away the moisture.

“Your mother is no longer a factor. Listen to me the first time and I won’t need to be sure of your attention.” Alton extended his hand again. “I don’t repeat myself.”

When I didn’t move, he reached for my purse, his glare daring me to stop him.

Stupid! Why did I get into this car?

With the scenery moving beyond the tinted windows and the limousine in motion, I sat statuesque trying to contemplate my next move.

Alton removed my phone and gave me back my purse.

I held my tongue, as I’d been taught to do, as he turned off its power and placed it in his pocket. Though my thoughts were filled with too many things to register, Chelsea’s text message came to mind. I hadn’t erased it. If Alton turned on the phone, he’d see it.

“Alton,” I tried for my most respectful tone. “Please tell me about my mother.”

He leaned back against the seat, seemingly composing his response. “Your time in New York is done. Your mother wanted a Christmas wedding. I think if Suzy gets started on the plans, it can still be accomplished. The only variable will be if Adelaide is well enough to attend.” Alton sighed, cocked his head to the side. With a straight-lipped grin, he added, “I suppose that’s up to you.

“Welcome home, Alexandria.”