House of York by Charlotte Byrd

Author:Charlotte Byrd
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781632250339
Publisher: Byrd Books

Everly

When we meet again…

As I enter the hall, I go directly to the bar.

I can’t bear to talk to a single person, let alone flirt or smile, if I don’t have a drink.

After ordering a glass of wine, I sit down on the stool, keenly aware of the fact that I’m not wearing any panties. No one gave me a replacement pair after what happened on stage.

The rest of the contestants scatter around the room to talk to men in tuxedos, but I need a few moments to myself.

How much do they know about what’s really going on here? I have no idea.

Are they all excited to be here like Alessandra is?

Or are some of them like me, someone who has seen glimpses of the truth?

I am not naive enough to think that I have learned the whole truth about this place. I have seen their lavish cell, the dungeon, and one in between, but deep in my heart I know that there is so much that I haven’t seen yet.

When my drink is ready, I take a few sips and try to put together a strategy.

Should I make my way around the room and meet some people or should I sit here and wait for someone to come to me?

There are pros and cons to either approach.

If I circulate, then I’m in control. I can come and go as I please.

But if I sit, I can also look around the room and get more of a feel for what everyone else is doing.

I take another sip of my drink and turn slightly on my stool.

That’s when I spot him.

A murky figure out in the distance.

I recognize him immediately.

It’s almost as if I can smell him.

Can he smell fear in return?

I turn toward the bar and wait.

Then it occurs to me.

I need an element of surprise.

When he touches me, I turn around with a smile.

I flutter my eyelashes.

I flirt.

Scared of Abbott?

Oh, of course not.

I’m happy to see him.

He says something to me. I say something back.

We are bantering. Joking.

Like acquaintances trying to become friends.

I can tell by the expression on his face that he’s confused.

But also impressed.

Perhaps, she is happy to see me, he is probably thinking.

Men like him are so arrogant that there’s no room in their minds for common sense. Why would I be happy to see him? Why aren’t I angry? Is he really this charming? I’m sure that he thinks he is.

But then…something else.

I take a sip of my drink as soon as I see him.

Alcohol isn’t the best thing for clearing one’s mind, but it’s the only way I can take a moment for myself.

What is he doing here?

Easton.

I remember him immediately.

He’s the guy who tried to warn me.

My fingers start to tremble.

I press them down into the bar to keep them contained.

My jaw clenches.

He’s trying to pull Abbott away from me. But why?

If it weren’t for my anger, I’d be able to assess the situation better. But when I look at him, all I see is red.

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