Ruthless Secrets (Elites of Macedon High 2)

Rubbing my forehead hardly eases my tension, but it’s all I can seem to do as I march down the carpeted hallway, searching for a private place to have a meltdown. I’m hoping Lev followed me, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. It’ll hurt too much when they’re demolished.

The first partially open door to catch my attention leads me into a storage room. Heavy drapes cover the windows, the edges glowing as though guarding divine light. I lean against a table to catch my breath while trying to think of what to do next. My fingers instinctively curl around the cow necklace Lev gave me.

“Alexandra?”

Peering over my shoulder reveals Paulina Somerville. Her usually powerful stance is reduced to a gentle slouch, making her appear less intimidating. She tentatively steps into the room and extends a glass of champagne, smiling warmly.

“I thought this might help.”

I eye the glass carefully, examining the way the bubbles dance inside the liquid. When I meet her gaze, I frown with disappointment. “Just like you, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“Do you think I’m a fucking idiot?”

She looks hurt, but I know it’s just a performance. “Alexandra, I would never do something to harm my future daughter-in-law.”

“But you’ll withhold plenty of information from her, right?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Bitter anger sharpens my tongue as I spit, “Who told my mother about my father’s other children?”

Her eyes roam the room. She might be looking for an enemy or a weapon. But there aren’t any here as far as I can tell. “I have no idea who would do that.”

“Ah, but Marie said you would.”

“You know Marie is an addict. How can you trust her word?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Why would she lie to me?”

“Maybe she wants to manipulate you.” She extends the champagne flute again. “Please, dear. You’re flustered. This will help.”

I swat the glass out of her hand and smile when I hear it shatter. Hopefully, the alcohol splashed her fancy fucking shoes. “You fucking know, Paulina. Don’t play dumb with me.”

“You know Jeremy Olsen? Tabitha’s shiftless father?” She nods as if she’s just discovered a great piece of the puzzle. “I bet he would know.”

“You’re lying.”

Her features scrunch up as she growls. “How dare you accuse me of lying?”

“Aren’t you a lawyer? Don’t you know how to manipulate the truth?” I shrug nonchalantly. “Concealment is still lying, Paulina.”

“You have no clue the pressure I’m under right now, do you?” She shakes her head while wringing her wrists. “You impertinent little shit. If you don’t marry Parker, then my selfish husband will divorce me to go after you. Is that what you fucking want?”

Amazement infects my features—and then I’m simply appalled.

It didn’t occur to me that Paulina might lose anything out of this situation. She’s set up for life as a successful lawyer. And as far as I understand, she doesn’t even love her husband. But I can see how that power structure would tip the scales. Losing his protection would put her on the outskirts.

Which is precisely what we’re all trying to avoid.

“You want to know the truth, darling Alexandra?” She chortles, but there’s no amusement in the sound. Her eyes have gone wild, and she steps forward as though preparing to strike me. “Well, some things are better off left in the dark. The less you know about the full truth, the safer you will be.”

I’m missing such a huge clue that it makes me shiver with dread. Once again, I’m the silly little girl who’s too naive to compete with the big guns. What was I thinking, trying to take on the multilayered empires residing in this town? I have no idea how this all works.

And Paulina has done well to remind me.

Lingering in the storage room grants me a moment to collect myself. If I know anything about how to play this game, it’s that I need to make sure I don’t look weak, especially in front of men like Osmond and women like Paulina. She might have shaken me to my core with her warning, but I won’t be such a fool next time. I’ll be prepared.