There is a long moment of silence, and even in my drunken state, I can tell he’s contemplating something.
Lifting my hand, I reach for his. “You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”
For some reason, I feel that whatever he is hiding is the primary reason for his rage. It’s the reason for his lack of control.
His expression changes, and he takes a step back. Our connection snaps, and all that’s left is a vacant spot in front of me.
“Go to sleep, Aspen. I think you’ve shared enough with me for the night, and I’m not in the mood to share anything with you. We aren’t friends. We aren’t even acquaintances. We’re enemies, and nothing that ever happens in this room will change that.”
His words cut me deep but don’t surprise me. He would never admit to me if I meant something to him, just like I would never admit if I was falling for him.
“Good night, Q,” I whisper, unwilling to touch what he’s just said.
Clenching his jaw tightly, he storms out of the room, slamming the door closed behind him. With the wine circulating through my veins still, I let my heavy lids fall closed. Sleep invades the edges of my mind, but even as I drift to sleep, the question at the back of my mind still lingers. What happened to his sister?
35
QUINTON
The following morning, before I even have breakfast or coffee, I go to the library. The halls are quiet, and it’s not until I reach the library that I think maybe it might be closed this early. Thankfully, the doors are open, beckoning me forward. I catch a glimpse of the morning sunrise peeking up through the mountains as I enter, and I pause in the doorway to stare at the majestic beauty of nature. Strange how its beauty can become your worst nightmare in a split second. The mountains, while a sight to see, are more than dangerous.
“Can I help you?” A low voice grabs my attention, and I swivel in its direction. My gaze lands on Brittney, standing before me, a blank expression on her face.
Oh, this is going to be good.
“Yes, yes, you can. In fact, you were just the person I was looking for.” I take a step toward her, and her brows jump up, a look of almost shock overtaking her features.
She should know that while she is a teacher here, and I have no real interest in her besides what she can offer me in terms of finding my birth mother, she should still be scared of what I can do to her. What will I do if she doesn’t give me what I want?
“Do you need help finding a book?” she questions almost innocently, and I cross my arms over my chest, making myself appear bigger, scarier.
“No, no. Let’s just say I know the little secret you told Aspen. I know what you are hiding from, or better, who you are hiding from. But don’t worry, I want you to know that I won’t tell Phoenix where you are… under one condition.”
Brittney’s nose wrinkles and creases appear on her forehead. I can see the anxiety building, feel it as it rolls off her and fills the room.
“You do understand that blackmailing a teacher could get you kicked out of Corium?” There is a bite to her tone that I don’t like, so I drive my point home.
“And you do realize who my father is, right? I could make it so you can’t get a job anywhere. I can make it so that you’re poor, without a job or home, living on the streets, begging for your next meal.” A visible shiver works its way through her body, and her jaw tightens.
“What do you want from me?”
“I’m glad you decided to help me.”
“I didn’t. I decided I value my job and food on the table more. Now tell me what you want or get the hell out of the library.”
I decide to pause the asshole attitude and get to the point. “I need you to find something, actually, someone, if you can.”
“Who?”
“My birth mother. I need whatever information you can find, and if you happen to discover where she is living, that’s even better. Whatever you find, I want it.”
“Okay, tell me everything you know about her, and I’ll do my best to see what I can dig up.” I rattle off all the info I know, which isn’t much.
“Give me two days. Meet me here at the same time. I’ll warn you, though, I’m not sure how much information I’ll get with what you’ve given me.”
“Whatever you find, I want to know. I don’t care what it is.”
Brittney nods, and the weight on my chest becomes heavier. What will I do when I find out who she is? Better yet, what if she tells me things about my father that I’m not ready to hear?