Frayed Obsession (The Frayed Trilogy 1)

Not the whole truth.

Guilt hits me in the chest, and I’m surprised I stay upright with the force of it.

“I don’t give a shit about the deal you made with Sebastian,” he says, chest flexing underneath his black t-shirt. “I don’t believe you, and I sure as shit don’t trust you.”

I don’t trust him either, but I doubt he’d go against Sebastian just to hurt me.

I hope.

Easton leans in—close enough I can see the gold flecks in his green eyes. “I’m going to find out everything about you and who you work for. We’ll see how long your deal holds after that.”

Swallowing hard, it takes everything in me to keep my gaze from straying to the panels of the wardrobe.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you both what I know,” I say, surprised at how calm my voice sounds. But I’m not sure how much longer I can keep it up. “Shouldn’t you be looking for the man who killed Sebastian’s parents?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t stick around, but his scathing stare tells me I hit a nerve.

Easton’s eyes bounce between mine, searching for something. The truth, maybe?

When he doesn’t find what he wants, his jaw clenches before he holds up his hand, the few photos I had left in my bag grasped tight between his fingers. “This better be the fucking last of these.” He steps past me, shoulder brushing mine. But instead of leaving, he stops beside me in the doorway, pinning me with his stare. “And don’t think we didn’t see your little breakfast date down there,” he says before his heavy steps echo down the corridor as he leaves.

I don’t relax until I’m sure he’s gone, sagging against the door jamb behind me. It only lasts a second before I sprint across the room, wincing at the pain it causes.

Dragging the chair out of the way, I push the panel to open the wardrobe door and reach for the top shelf. Standing on my toes, I stretch my arm as far as it will go, feeling around in the blanket until my fingers touch the familiar leather.

Thank God.

A rush of breath escapes me in relief that it’s still where I left it. I collapse into the chair, leaving the journal where it is, knowing it’s for the best.

Shadow comes straight for me when Mason returns with him from his afternoon break. I haven’t forgotten how I held onto him earlier, and when he looks up at me with those big eyes, I reach my hand out. Unable to keep the small tremble from my fingers, I stop shy of his face, but he wastes no time bumping my hand with his nose.

The contact causes me to flinch, but I force myself to keep my arm outstretched. It’s easy to grab him when I’m scared, but I’m still working on this casual contact, though I’m getting better considering where I started.

“He likes you,” Mason says, and my gaze shifts to him as he stops behind Shadow.

I hold my hand there for another moment before I pull it away and rest it in my lap.

His brows draw together. “Are you okay?”

The smile I try to offer him must fall flat if his expression is anything to go by.

I’m still rattled from Easton’s visit, and the question slips out before I can think. “Can anyone get up here?”

“To the penthouse?” He pauses. “No. Only approved persons can access this floor without explicit approval from Mr. Reed.”

“Approved persons?”

“Besides Mr. Reed, only two people have access. His assistant, Miss Lauren Hall, and Mr. Easton Woods.”

I exhale a relieved breath. I can deal with Easton for the most part if the need arises.

“What’s going on, Grace?” he asks softly.

“It’s nothing. I was just curious.” I try for another smile.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, Grace.” He sighs, and not for the first time, I get the sense Mason sees far more than he lets on. “But if you ever need help or just someone to talk to, please call me,” he says, pulling a card from his pocket and holding it out to me.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I take the card from his outstretched hand. “Why?” I ask, and my voice shakes, almost giving away my true emotions.

His eyes soften, and I know he understands the question. “She would have been close to your age now, my daughter.” He smiles, but it’s overshadowed by a deep sadness. “And I would want someone to look out for her if I couldn’t be there to do it myself.”