Bloodshed (The BlackGuard Society Book 2) by SF Benson

Author:SF Benson [Benson, SF]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

16

Paying the Piper

Morgan

* * *

Alienating Kragen meant finding another powerful someone who’d be on our side. The only force we could count on would have been my mother, but she wasn’t speaking to me. Either I could do this alone and risk becoming a rogue myself or pull on my big-girl panties and deal with Mother. I chose the latter. The following afternoon I sucked up my animosity and went to see her.

Ace grasped my hand as we stood on the sidewalk in front of my family home. “Are you certain about this?”

“No. If I didn’t have to do this, I wouldn’t.”

My feet hurt in the black stiletto heels, and the black suit was too confining. Emulating the appearance my family preferred was restricting and totally out of character for me, but I had to make amends and dressing properly was part of it.

I glanced at my husband. He was just as uncomfortable in a suit and tie. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

Trudging up to the front door was like walking a death row gauntlet. In all honesty, visiting a pissed-off Deianira Vladislav was akin to a trip to the executioner. Before my hand touched the doorknob, the barrier yawned open. My mother, the slayer, was on the other side.

Her piercing turquoise eyes were stormy as they raked over us. She pursed her lips and stepped to one side. We’d passed first inspection. Yay us!

Although she granted us entry, I wasn’t foolish enough to make myself comfortable. Rather than journey farther into the house, I stopped next to the winding staircase.

Mother folded her arms. “I assume you wish to speak with me.”

“We wish to apologize, Mother.”

The ghost of a smile crossed her thin lips before she nodded and walked toward the drawing room. We followed in her wake, my heels clicking across the mahogany floor.

When we entered the room, she sat in her favorite chair beside the fireplace. I sat opposite her while Ace stood behind me. It was the standard spot for servants. Sadly, my parents considered any Broussard to be their personal lackeys. I would have preferred my husband not follow protocol, but we were seeking Mother’s favor.

“How do we rectify this problem?” I asked.

“The easiest and most efficient way would be an annulment or, in your case, a divorce.”

The chair’s frame cracked slightly as Ace gripped it tightly.

I would hear her out before uttering a comment.

“However,” she started, “your father and I realize that won’t happen willingly.” Mother rested her elbow in her hand and tapped her chin. “With that in mind, we have been thinking of a fitting punishment.”

Those words made me appreciate learning how to shield my thoughts. In that moment, I was so ready to tell her what she could do with her idea. Instead, I swallowed hard and listened.

“But how does one punish an adult?” She sighed. “Morgan, my dear, you have been a fortunate female. Not once have you had to earn a living. Your father has provided for you very well.

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