An American for Agnes (The Friendship Series Book 10) by Julia Donner

Author:Julia Donner [Donner, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The helplessness of horror held Agnes in place. The encircling arms that held her were as strong as Cameron’s but didn’t relieve smothering apprehension. Nothing would. Her present terror didn’t spring from humiliation for her shameful past behavior. More than all else, she couldn’t bear the idea of being parted from Cameron again. If her brother learned her secrets, he’d kill Vincent. She had no doubt of that, and if that happened, she and her mother would lose him again when he fled the country. Having him safely home was an inexpressible joy of many prayers answered. His escape from years of imprisonment had been miraculous, but his time away from them had changed him. He no longer bore any resemblance to the cheerful lad who had gone off to sea. Now, there was a darker, somewhat frightening edge under his congenial surface.

The reoccurring memory of Vincent’s threats rang in her head, had her clenching her teeth to keep them from clacking. She knew him well enough to understand that his visit today was a reminder of his power over her. Vincent’s sense of entitlement blinded him to the danger he faced provoking her brother. The dolt had no inkling of the risk he took with any threat directed at Cameron’s family.

What if he makes sly innuendoes to Cameron, acts possessive, or even vulgar? No, he wouldn’t do that, even obliquely in her brother’s presence. Or would he?

She kept her nose pressed into the folds of Max’s neckwear. The scents of starch and man brought some sense back to her head. She dug her fingers into tough arm muscle when overhead floorboards squeaked from booted feet walking around her studio.

Their voices rolled down from the open attic door, floating down the passageway, near enough to be distinct. Cameron was explaining, trying not to boast about the Asterlys’ sponsorship, but unable to cover his pride. Another quiver shivered through her as she recalled her shock at hearing the familiar squeak of the lowest step on the second landing, recognizing Vincent’s voice. He and Cameron had been only moments away from seeing them rushing down the passageway to hide.

Max continued to envelope her in a sense of safety that she knew was false and fleeting. When he lowered his head to rest his cheek on her hair, she suppressed a squirm, knowing she reeked. Turpentine’s scent permeated her clothes and clung to her fingers. She tried to withdraw, but he clasped her closer.

She stilled when the loft steps creaked under the weight of both men descending.

“Sorry, Vernam. I don’t know where my sister’s gotten to. She’s always up here at this time of day. Never misses an opportunity for the light of a cloudless day.”

Vincent laughed, an ingratiating response, the artificial one she couldn’t get out of her head. Hearing it for the first time without being in his presence magnified its ingratiating shallowness. How had she missed his vacuous, smug disposition? Revulsion rippled over her flesh as she recalled how she had allowed him access to her body.

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