Esme’s eyes were focused on the ground all the way to the car, and inside it, she didn’t say anything. Beside me, she looked out the window as we started to drive.

“Your mom is nice, Esme,” Ry said quietly.

“Yes,” she choked out. “She’s nice.”

Then, under her breath, she said. “She’s always nice. Always so fucking nice.”

Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

________

ESME

My mind was blank. Not because I didn’t have thoughts, but because I was holding them all back. If I let them out, I wasn’t quite sure what would happen, and I didn’t want it to be in the fucking car.

The guys seemed to sense it too, and didn’t say much, or said it quietly.

I hadn’t expected it to go well, but I hadn’t expected it to be like that either.

As soon as we were inside, I pushed for the stairs.

“Esme.” Avery’s voice was all Alpha command. “Living room, please.”

My body turned and went, though my mind didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to rehash how awful dinner was, or why I was somehow unable to use my fucking voice when it mattered. I just wanted to curl up—preferably in my nest—and sleep for a million years.

Rylan sat in one of the big, comfy rockers and held out his arms. Yes. I folded myself in beside him.

“All things considered,” Kade said, “I don’t think it went too badly.”

I laughed, but it was the furthest thing from funny. “I suppose it could have been worse, but not much.”

“Why?”

It was a genuine question, and I didn’t want to tell them all the ways my mother thoroughly snubbed them, but they needed to know. “She sent the staff home. Which means she didn’t want any of you to be seen in the house. That right there says plenty about what she thinks, but you not asking for permission is another strike. Plus, you’re corrupting Eva.” I rolled my eyes and looked at Ben. “Trust me, the fact that Eva wants a tattoo from you is your fault entirely. And just… she expected you to fall in line, and you didn’t. I’m happy you didn’t, but you got the ‘nice’ version of mom. The one she puts on when she doesn’t want to be somewhere and is only passing the time until it’s over.

“She’s used to it. She’s done it for years, because she hosted dinner parties for my dad, and now the charity work she does. Her image is always perfect, and doesn’t crack. But it’s not real.”

I leaned on Rylan’s shoulder, and his fingers drew patterns on my hip where he was holding me.