The Resurrection of Us: A High School Bully Romance (Albany Nightingale Duet Book 2) by Rachel M Raithby

Author:Rachel M Raithby [Raithby, Rachel M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Ashton

“Are you ready?” Grayson asks me for what feels like the hundredth time as we travel with my mother to meet with our lawyer and Arthur’s.

“Will you quit asking me that? I’m nervous enough as it is.”

“You should be nervous. My father doesn’t do anything by halves, Ashton. You need to be ready for anything.”

Thanks, bro. Stellar pep talk.

My mother’s small hand slips into mine and squeezes. “I’m not sure I like the way you boys are talking. This is divorce, not war.”

“Same thing,” Grayson mutters.

“It’s also not normally done with the children in the same office,” she adds quietly.

Glancing her way, I smile with what I hope is reassurance. “We aren’t children, Mom, and you’ll need us in there so that he doesn’t railroad you.”

“Which he will do,” Grayson adds. “Believe me, I know my father.”

“I’m not sure your presence is going to help things, Gray. If anything, it will make him angry. You know I love you, but he’s your father and he isn’t going to be happy when I request to have you living with me.”

She fidgets in her seat, pulling at the fitted navy blue skirt she’s wearing. Considering she hasn’t left the penthouse since the last lawyers meeting, she’s holding herself together really well. You’d never tell from looking at her that she fell off the wagon and started drinking again. That her days are spent mostly in bed or in front of the TV waiting for her sons to arrive home. Today, my mom has applied her makeup as if it’s a shield and dressed as if she was born an Upper East-Sider, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Don’t fret, Summer,” Grayson says, leaning across me to pat her hand. “That’s why we brought ammunition.”

Shucking in a deep breath, my mother leans back in her seat, her lips tight. “That’s what’s worrying me. I’m bringing a knife to a gun fight.”

Hugging her close, I kiss her cheek. “We’re holding the guns, so you don’t have to, Mom. I told you I’d look after this family and I’m doing just that. I need you to trust me.”

“I do,” she says, then bends forward, catching Grayson’s gaze. “Both of you. Just be careful, okay?”

“We will, Sum,” Grayson promises.

I kiss her face again. “We will.”

Arriving at our lawyer’s office first, Anthony ushers us toward the meeting room, past spacious offices, talking over a few final things with my mother. Struggling to listen, I take my seat at the large dark wood table, my attention remained fixed on the view beyond the clear office walls, waiting for the moment Arthur appears. Grayson is outside the building waiting as well; our plan is to take over the meeting at the most opportune time and strong-arm Arthur into agreeing with our proposal. I’ve not told Anthony of our plan, but that’s okay; Grayson and I have everything we need to halt my stepfather in his tracks. Today he’s going to find out that he’s not the most powerful man in the room.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.