Page 15 of Seduction

“Good.”

“And Mikey?”

“Good, too.”

“Ellen, look….” She takes a step toward me, her green eyes pleading. I take one back to maintain the space between us. “I’m just gonna come out and say it. I miss you, El.”

“Yeah? You should have thought about that before you tried to wreck my brother’s life.”

“I had no choice. You saw what that bastard did to me.”

“If you’d told the truth in the beginning, it wouldn’t have gotten that far. Gage could have protected you.”

“Honestly, when I got involved with him, that’s what I was hoping for. Then as time passed, I foolishly began to think I was safe. When Rich showed up, I panicked.”

Rich. The a-hole who almost sent my brother to jail. I don’t know exactly what happened to him, but I have a pretty good idea. Gage isn’t called “Reaper” for nothing.

“I’ll be here for a few days,” she continues. “Maybe we can catch up?”

I give her a wary stare, unsure of why I’m even considering her request. Maybe it’s the way her sad eyes are reaching into my soul, or it could be the fact that I don’t really have any friends. I love my son to death, but sometimes I need some adult company.

“I’ll think about it.”

Turning on my heels, I walk out, closing the door behind me. I make my way to the bar, squeezing between club members and buckle bunnies from all over the US.

There’s music playing and drinks flowing, but it hasn’t gotten crazy yet. I plan on leaving before it does.

“Let me get a cola,” I tell the woman behind the bar.

“Sure thing.”

She hands it to me, and the moment I pop the cap, someone taps my shoulder. I turn to find Raven’s friend Chrissy smiling at me.

“Hey. You seen Raven?”

“Not in a while.” I look around for my brother, knowing she’ll be where he is. When I spot them surrounded by a bunch of guys, I point her out. “Over there.”

We wave, trying to catch Raven’s attention. She spots us, smiles, and then whispers in her husband’s ear before heading in our direction.

“So, how’s school?” I ask Chrissy. She started college a few weeks ago and only came back for the wedding.

“Great. It might sound strange, but I love it—the school, classes, my professors.”

“That’s good.”

“Hey,chica!” Raven exclaims, throwing her arms around the girl and kissing her cheek.

“Mrs. Hunter! I just wanted to stop by and say goodbye. I’m leaving early in the morning.”

“Cool. What are you two talking about?”

“Chrissy was just telling me how great school is,” I explain.

“Great?” Raven raises her brows.

“It is. It’s just….”

I know that look. That’s a “there’s a man involved” look. She’s been seeing Ron, aka Charger, for a while now.