Forged by Shadows: Shadowed Souls Book One by Maddison Cole

Author:Maddison Cole [Cole, Maddison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty Two

Ihaven’t seen Wyatt all day. Well, to be honest, I’ve barely seen anyone beyond the silhouettes through my cracked eyelids, passing me meds and water while we traveled the last leg of the journey. I spent most of the car ride spread across Dax’s lap with an eye mask on. To my credit, I only threw up on him once. Without him caring for me, there’s no way I would currently be sitting upright in this busy restaurant, just about ready to stomach food.

The restaurant is in the heart of a bustling city, and thankfully is packed tonight. Every table is filled with smartly dressed people of all ages, chatting and laughing over their meals. Amongst the masses, and given the table’s position off to the side, I’m visibly invisible to all who don’t know I’m there. Servers rush back and forth from the open kitchen, balancing plates of steaming food on their trays. The chefs work at a furious pace, and I welcome the distraction whilst wringing my hands in my lap.

“Darling,” Nixon’s voice rings out amongst the clinking of cutlery and noisy chatter. I smile at my adoptive father, standing to accept his hug. His salt and pepper hair is pushed back and his blue eyes hold a startling amount of clarity for his age. The waistcoat of his three-piece suit rubs against my cheek as our embrace lasts a few more desperate seconds, then I’m swiftly ushered back into the high bench seat. Nixon opts for his back to the door, his neck slightly hunched as if trying to shrink into the cushion.

With less caution and a whole load of new curiosity, I settle back in my comfortable jumpsuit. Sea blue and cinched at my waist by a fabric belt, the floaty material swishes around my legs. There’s a teardrop cutout in the bust, held in place by a halter-neck strap. Around my neck, I’ve taken great care in applying concealer to hide the faint bruising that lingered.

“You look beautiful.” Nixon attempts a smile. It falls flat. “Where is your brother?” I use the distraction of a waiter taking our drink order to hide my blush. Especially after last night, I don’t want to think of Wyatt as my brother ever again.

“He’ll be here soon,” I attempt to answer casually. As I meet Nixon’s searching gaze, I can only hope my voice doesn’t betray the fluttering sensation in my stomach. The sound of Wyatt’s words play on repeat in my mind, his searing green gaze as heated as the touch that had lingered on my skin.

I’m not allowed to have you like this.

“So, how is business?” I ask after clearing my throat. A feeble effort for some normality, but Nixon isn’t truly present. His eyes are darting everywhere, looking at everyone who passes. In the dimmed lighting at the back of the restaurant, his skin appears gaunt, cheeks slightly hollowed.

“Business is as fine as it can be,” Nixon responds, his gaze sweeping back to me. His smile is tainted with a hint of melancholy that had not been there a minute ago.

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