Page 17 of Before Eve

“I thought you had to be twenty-one to rent a car.”

“Ms. Kelly handles it all.”

“Ah.”

West keeps driving.

“I bet it’s good to be back on the road after taking all that time off last year,” Anne says. “Are you going to give us the scoop on where you were?”

West doesn’t answer and instead just stares straight out the front window. Gone is all amusement, and in its place comes hardness.

Anne must pick up on the dropped temperature because she sits back and doesn’t say another word for the remainder of the ride to the hotel.

He pulls into the parking lot where some of the roadies arehanging outside, smoking and drinking beer. Anne and I climb out, and as soon as the passenger door closes, West pulls away.

I wish I was still in the car with him. Something seems off, sure, but I also recognize an all too familiarness about his reaction.

West Wolf is hiding things of his own.

CHAPTER 10

Quiet as a mouse.Still as a cucumber.

Mommy used to say that to me all the time. She made it into a game, but we haven’t played that game in a very long time. Or rather she doesn’t say those words anymore. I simply know to be.

Quiet as a mouse. Still as a cucumber.

Especially when Grayson’s around.

I sit across from them in the back of a limousine. Wearing a white business suit, Mommy stares blank-faced out the window. Chicago evening lights pass by from other cars, street lamps, and building illuminations. With light hair and blue eyes, everyone says I favor her. I hope that’s true because Mommy is very pretty.

Beside her, Grayson scrolls his phone.

I don’t normally come with them on their trips, but Grayson gave a big speech tonight and wanted me on stage with him. He even picked me up which he only does when we’re in public. As expected, I smiled and waved to the blur of people who filled the auditorium. Grayson affectionately squeezed me and I knew I had made him happy. It makes me feel good when I make him happy.

I wish I could make Mommy happy. She’s always so sad.

Grayson puts his phone down, looking across the space to me. I straighten up. “You did well tonight, Laura.”

It’s not often he speaks to me. “Thank you,” I say.

His gaze slides to Mommy, narrowing slightly. “You on the other hand.”

She makes no sound, no movement, just keeps staring out the window watching Chicago go by.

“Tonight was a huge deal,” Grayson says. “Laura is five years old and she did better than you.”

Still no sound or movement from Mommy. I barely breathe as I stare at her.

“Look at me,” he commands.

She doesn’t.

He slaps her. I flinch. She looks then, her head turning slowly, still no expression.

“You have everything you could ever want and still nothing is good enough. Most women would be bowing at my feet for the things I provide.”

She scoffs.