#Chapter 52 – A Stiff Drink

I practically tumble out of my closet, feeling nauseous and gasping for air all at once. Part of my mind knows that this is an over-reacting, but my body is in panic, totally not knowing how to respond to this news.

I make my way into the bathroom and splash water on my face, seeking to calm my body down. “It’s okay,” I whisper to myself, trying to convince myself. “It’s all going to be fine.” Still, my hands shake in the water that runs from the tap.

Making a snap decision, I stride back into my room, grabbing my phone.

Evelyn: Hey, I need to meet. Same old spot?

My leg shakes as I stare at my phone, waiting for a reply. As soon as it comes back in the affirmative, I’m out my bedroom door.

I quickly crack the boys’ door to peek in at them – good. They’re still watching their show, their eyelids beginning to droop. I nod, close the door, and fly down the stairs, grabbing my purse before heading out.

“Matthew, Frank,” I say to the Betas by my front door. “Would you mind keeping an ear out for the boys in case they need anything? I need to –“ I shake my head, trying to put the words together – my thoughts are moving faster than my mouth. “I need to step out for a minute.”

“Anything you need, ma’am,” Frank says. “Do you mind if we call extra Betas down for patrol, if you’re not here? Place someone in your living room? We’re not taking any chances.”

“Whatever you need to do,” I murmur, already heading down the front steps. Then I’m in my car and on the road pretty much before I know what’s happening.

“Babe,” Delia wraps her arms around me from behind. “You didn’t even reply to any of my follow-up texts or calls. Is everything okay?”

“I’m sorry, Delia,” I say, closing my eyes and savoring her hug. “I didn’t even look at my phone.”

She slides onto the stool next to me, where a cold glass of chardonnay is waiting for her. I’m already on my second glass of Southern Comfort and lime. The liquor is doing its job on my fried nerves – I really am feeling significantly steadier.

“Tell me everything,” Delia says, leaning forward on the bar and lifting her drink to her lips.

with the boys,” I say, sighing and looking up at

asks. “Not with

to encompass the entire situation, the world, the universe. “It’s all gone insane. But the crux of it is,” I turn my head here to look into

forward to place a hand on my arm.

everything, I assume. About the boys, about Victor’s paternity, about where I am living. She encouraged him

going

the ceremony – he’s going to claim them as

her eyes. Usually, this would make me put my hackles up. But from Delia, my

see? Victor has betrayed me, he met with my father, and he didn’t even tell me, Evelyn, that any

confused. “If he didn’t tell you,

know that I’m his fake therapist, gathering all his secrets like a little squirrel stowing nuts for winter. I bite my lip for a moment, considering – should I tell

of the Betas,” I say, waving my hand in the

“The one you’re dating?”

say, nodding, latching on to her suggestion. “He got wind of it from Victor’s side and let me know what was going on. But either way, Victor is making decisions about my life – about my

for the first time in this mess. I hurriedly wipe them away. “He’s all upset because Amelia betrayed him,

moment and

my head towards her and narrow my eyes. “Are you

did this all happen? Have you seen him since then? Have you given

the way to my childhood

“Okay, touché

at her, but let

If he felt, suddenly, that his lineage and his children were threatened, I’m not sure you can truly be surprised if his first instinct was not to call you and consult, but to go and solve

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