Dark Rings (Dark Things Book 1) by Lainey Delaroque

Author:Lainey Delaroque [Delaroque, Lainey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dark romantic suspense
Publisher: Lainey Delaroque
Published: 2022-03-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Things are under control. Mathias’s things are back in his room, and my mother is situated in my bedroom with me. I put everything back the way I remembered it, but I will probably still have to tell Mathias about the whole thing. He’s very meticulous about how he stores his things, so he’ll know someone touched them.

I’m meeting Cindy today so that I can sort her out some therapy asap. It’s also Wednesday, the day of our usual family dinner. I have to cancel it in light of my mother being in the apartment, but an unreasonable part of me thinks they will just have it in Love and Err without me. I know I’m not really a part of their inner gang circle anyway. Maybe I can convince them all to go out to a restaurant?

Yes, things are under control, but they’re far from perfect. As soon as work matters start to improve, my personal life explodes.

I get into the borrowed Tesla feeling somewhat defeated.

The mochis I had for dessert after Mama’s traditional breakfast still stick to my back teeth, making my mouth feel dry. In my office, I rinse and rinse, but the feeling doesn’t go away.

Then Cindy arrives, and I pop a mint into my mouth, hoping I won’t scare her off with bad breath.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Much better. If you hadn’t contacted those people, or organization, you know, I was maybe going to be lobotomized or something.” Cindy takes a nervous sip of the water in front of her.

I try to keep my face placid. “Why do you think that?”

“When I was drugged, I wasn’t completely out of it, you know. I could hear things sometimes. But when I did, my heart rate went up, and then they would sedate me more. I thought that’s the end. Death. I don’t even know why my partner did this. It’s not like I did anything.”

“A lot of the behaviors we see in men like your partner stem from the need to control. There is likely nothing that you could have done to prevent this,” I say, my voice slow, measuring every word before I string my sentences. Cindy looks a bit confused. “It’s not about you.”

She narrows her eyes, considering what I’ve said. “So, is that bar part of your company?”

I blink at her. The reasons why I don’t get involved in cases outside of my work come back to me like an avalanche of criticism.

“It is not. And we’re not a company, we’re a charity organization.” I plaster a warm smile on my face, trying to hide my discomfort. What was I thinking? That we would save her, she would thank us, and that would be it? It’s human nature to wonder and ask questions.

“So, was I a special case or something?” Cindy’s eyes twinkle.

What is the correct answer here?

“I prioritized your safety and used unconventional methods and resources.” I try to keep it vague. I’m sure I fail. Sensing where this is going, I swear in my head.

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