A Waltz With Wolves (Book II in The Harrison Inc. Series) | ✓

Chapter Fifty-One: Christmas Spirit

Kill him. That's what was supposed to happen. A bullet was supposed to go through Alejandro's head, and Salvador was the one who proposed the idea. But Claude didn't do it—he didn't do it because of rita. And he isn't telling Sebastian any of this.

"Don't paint me as the fucking enemy when the real enemies are out there!" Claude yells. "Why aren't you out looking for your father, the goddamn mastermind? If you really want to protect Leslie, have me put a bullet through his fucking head first!"

Suddenly, Isaac stands up straight and looks directly at me. My cover has been blown, so I come out of the shadows and into the kitchen where I have a clear view instead of a fraction of one hiding behind the bookshelf. They're all hanging around the large marble island that stands in the middle of the kitchen, coffee cups no longer steaming. They all stare at me with large, guilty eyes, posture taut.

"I just wanted to grab some coffee," I announce to them like I'm guilty myself.

"Y-yeah, of course." Sebastian walks to the counter and brews some more coffee. He fumbles with the equipment—it's almost flattering that I'm the only woman he can't be collected around.

While the machine hums, we stand around in silence. Sebastian stands close to me, and our encounter the night before replays in my mind. I should apologize for slapping him, but my pride won't let me. Instead, I hold my head down and stare at my slippers, then look up and notice that I'm the only one wearing pajamas. I suppose I'm the only one that's in some kind of Christmas spirit, channeling my inner child on Christmas morning.

"How'd you sleep?" Sebastian asks me. His expression is one of concern; I miss him, at least a little bit. I'm still angry beyond comprehension, but his face never fails to make me feel nostalgic.

We're so close, I have to crane my neck a bit to look at him directly. "Fine, thank you."

I intentionally leave out the tossing, turning, and 5 times I woke up throughout the night.

"Good." Sebastian tries to smile genuinely, but there's so much on his mind that it comes out forced. Sebastian has a habit of hiding the hideous from people he cares about; even though I know everything, he still wants to pretend like nothing is as bad as it really is. I wonder if he knows I heard their entire conversation moments prior?

Coffee is done. I start for the machine, but Sebastian beats me to it, insisting he makes it for me. He grabs a mug, pours the dark liquid into it, and stops for a moment, furrowing his brows. Then it hits him—two teaspoons of sugar. He remembers how I like my coffee.

It's a little awkward with Isaac and Claude watching us, but Sebastian doesn't mind. If I could take an educated guess, I'd say that Sebastian would much rather pretend they're not even in the kitchen with us right now. After stirring the coffee, he hands it to me. I take it from him, smile and thank him; every time I look at him, I know my mind will continuously replay the instance where my hand smacked his face until I apologize. I sip my drink slowly.

"I'm going to go visit Darcy today," I blurt out. Everyone seems to freeze when I say the words, taking command of them as if I have access to my car to go on my own initiative (a journey they wouldn't dare let me take alone). Isaac eventually glances at Sebastian and Claude before coming back to me.

"That's a good idea." Isaac is the first and only one to respond. His voice is unsure of itself.

I nod. "It is. Our trip to the hospital was cut short yesterday anyway."

Claude brings his coffee cup down on the island top harder than necessary, attracting everyone's attention. My words have hit him in an uncomfortable spot, and I realize I'm being snarky. Sebastian exhales through his nose and tries anything not to look at us.