“You know my father?” Nick questions, jerking his stare from his dad down to me. His eyebrows are knitted inward. He’s somewhat shocked. I think his mother and sister are too. How do I fucking explain this? I think I’m going to be sick. A wave of nausea washes over me. I swallow, trying to keep the vomit I feel rising up in my throat at bay.
“I…” There are no more words I can get out. They are lost in my throat. I don’t know what to tell him. I don’t know what to do. I can’t take my eyes off the evil monster that stands before me. I want to run. I have to bite down on my bottom lip in order stop the tremble I feel forming on my lips.
The bastard smiles and then breaks eye contact with me to answer Nick’s question. He knows what I could say even though I won’t, but he isn’t going chance it.
“Shannon used to work for me, back when I was an attorney. If you would have ever come by my office, you would have known that.” He turns his eyes back to me. They are sinister and cold grey eyes. “What’s it been now…ten years?”
“Y−yes,” I finally choke out. It comes out as almost a whisper. Get control of yourself. Do not let the sick fuck see your fear. Don’t give him that satisfaction again. I take a silent deep breath and exhale slowly, calming my bubbling anxiety.
“Small world, I guess,” Nick says as he tightens his hold on my waist. His tone is clipped, and he’s not happy to learn this fact. If he only knew the rest; something I’ve never told anyone. I don’t know if I can tell him either.
Nick’s mother is looking between her husband and me. She has a strange look on her face, as if she is trying to figure out the pieces of the puzzle. I doubt anyone would figure out what that man is capable of. Everyone I knew that worked for him adored him. I remember people used to say what a wonderful man he was and how caring he was for other people who have been misjudged.
“Why don’t we all gather in the dining room for dinner?” his mother suggests while leading Nikki in that direction. Judge Lewis gives me a sinister look, and turns, following his wife and daughter. Nick turns me to face him. I try for a weak smile.
“Are you okay? As soon as my father walked in the room, your face paled and you looked like you wanted to pass out.” He’s holding both of my wrists and rubbing his thumbs over the surface of my skin. Somehow, it has a calming effect on me and I relax a little. Well, as much as I possibly can in a situation like this.
“Yes. I was a little shocked at first. I wasn’t expecting my former boss to be your dad.” He’s searching my eyes. It looks like he is trying to decipher if I’m telling him the truth. It’s partly true. I was shocked.
“Are you sure? We can leave if you’re uncomfortable.” Just tell him you want to leave. He’s giving you an out. You should take it and run like hell.
Instead, I snap at him. “Nick, I said I’m fine, so drop it.” Fuck. I instantly regret snapping at him. I shouldn’t take this out on him. I haven’t had these feelings in a long time. I didn’t know how to deal with them then and I still don’t.
“Fine, but I can tell something is bothering you and you are going to tell me later,” he says as he pulls me to the dining room. His family is already seated. Nikki has a sour look on her face. She is staring straight ahead at a wall while her dad is talking. I think he is reprimanding her, but I’m not sure. We come in on the tail end of the conversation.
“Finally, what took you both so long?” Nick’s dad asks; he’s looking directly at me. No, fuck face, I didn’t say a damn thing to him.
“Shannon and I were having a conversation.” Nick sounds annoyed as he takes a seat.
Elaina is still looking at me the same way as before in the kitchen. Does she know what her husband is capable of? Do they all? Surely, they wouldn’t be sitting at a dinner table with him if they did.
Taking my napkin off the table, I place it in my lap. I begin to gather food on my plate, starting with Beef Wellington and ending with a spoonful of roast potatoes. I have no appetite, but I’d rather stuff my mouth than talk or look at the man sitting at the head of the table. I can feel his eyes on me every few minutes; it makes my stomach turn and chest tighten.
“Nicolette, can’t you wear clothing to my house that covers up those awful tattoos? You used to be so beautiful. I don’t understand why you enjoy embarrassing me.” Nick’s father’s comment brings my attention away from my food. God, did he just say that to his own daughter?
“I’m going to wear what I want, Dad. If I wanted to cover up the art on my body, then I never would have gotten them,” she responds with a tight lip before shuffling a forkful of food into her mouth. Nick takes a deep breath, and then slowly blows the air out as if he’s trying to calm himself. He looks like he wants to say something, but doesn’t.