Page 140 of Endgame

I lift my chin, not feeling any safer for it.

Pretending will have to do.

The door opens wider. A heartless man in a dark suit stands in the doorway.

My adoptive father.

He didn’t let one of the staff get the door. He’s home, and he answered it by himself.

He’s about to deal with the problem. With me.

I force thoughts of Everett and my fear out of my head. Winston won’t see how scared I am. I’m not here for his entertainment.

“Hi.” I’m within hearing distance. A light breeze whips through my hair and slides under my shirt. I refuse to wrap my arms around myself. He’ll consider it a sign of weakness, and I am not weak. “I need to talk to you.”

“You’re not wanted here.” His lips twist into a disgusted snarl. “In fact, you’re trespassing. So until I’m able to get you out of this mess and find you a suitable husband, you’re banned from this house. Get off my property.”

An unexpected sting brings tears to my eyes. Normally, when I’d feel brave like I should now, I’d have a witty remark to spit back at him.

Other days, when my hate for him and Molly was so big it couldn’t fit in my bedroom, I’d give him the finger. That was a surefire way to land myself hours, if not days, in the basement.

Today—if I’m right about this secret no one lets me in on—I’m at his mercy. I need his cooperation.

I blink back the tears.

I’m Everett’s wife, and I have to act like one. Like an extension of him.

Ready. Set. Go.

“Are you going to shoot me?” My sass gets on his last nerve, like I hoped it would. The vein in his neck throbs. “Dad?”

“Where’s your husband?” he spits out.

Will probably be here sometime soon.

“This has nothing to do with him.” A few steps closer put me almost within his reach.

Close enough to show him he doesn’t scare me. Far enough not to put my head in the lion’s mouth.

“This is between you and me. And Mom.”

“Your mother isn’t here.” He holds onto the door, knuckles whitening. His eyes are calculating, despite his hate. “Are you back for good? You got out of yoursituation?”

Giving him more of my attitude, I raise my left hand. Wiggle it. “What does it look like?”

“It looks like you’re a whore.” His nostrils flare. “After what your mother told me, I have no doubt that you are.”

He’s trying to get under my skin. I won’t let him. I don’t say a damn thing until I’m calm again.

“If you’ve been taking your pills, though…” Winston’s tone turns contemplative and derisive all at once. “I’ll have my lawyers on your case. No one from Everett’s firm, that’s granted. Schedule a meeting with my assistant, and we’ll see what we can do for you.”

I don’t tell Winston that losing my virginity wasn’t my choice. That had it been up to me, Everett and I would’ve at least gone on one real date before it happened.

It’s none of his business. This is between Everett and me, and I’ve forgiven my husband. I accept him, even at his cruelest.

“I’m not leaving my husband.” I lift my chin and speak in that low, intimidatingEveretttone. “I do have a question, however. And you might have the answers I need.”

“Your mother already told you, we don’t know anything about your parents.” His breath is ragged. His rage is barely contained. “The only thing we know is that it’s not the husband you’re fucking like the whore you are. Get out of my face.”