Chapter 53 - 57
Kelsey POV
The walk to the car is shrouded in a pall I feel I cannot penetrate. The moment the cameras stopped, her smile dropped. She hasn’t said a word since. When we reach the car park outside, Frank is ready with the backseat doors open. I curve around the back to slide in from the other slide. Once everyone’s inside, the car lurches forward and we make our way home. Avara’s eyes are on her trembling, twiddling fingers before her gaze flickers up and her eyes lock with mine.
Her face contorts and I drape my arm around her shoulders so she can draw closer, resting her head on my chest as she clutches onto my forearm.
"You did so good, so proud of you, kid."
She snorts and finds the strength to rise on her own as she lifts herself upright. "Which part?"
"All of it, that Hartley guy is an asshole."
She shakes her head numbly, politely swiping her tears away like they’re mascara smudges. "He’s just doing his job."
I swing over a look. "Girl, you have one more time to defend a bastard."
She bursts into a hearty laugh and my smile blooms at the sound. A sound I haven’t heard in a long time. Avara is busy looking out for others, but they’re not looking out for her. I mean, her family loves her that I have no doubt, but everyone seems to have agendas, hidden self-interiors and ulterior motives—none that can be trusted if cloaked in criminality.
Once we approach the house, we’re met with a startling surprise. The sleek Rolls Royce gleams under the late afternoon sun, its polished black exterior a mirror reflecting the world around it. Its silver accents shimmer with understated elegance. Parked on either side, two armored SUVs form a protective wall. Stationed near the vehicles, stern-faced guards in dark tactical gear stand at attention.
Avara falters, her smile thinning into a terse line. "No," she breathes.
When we park close enough, the guards break formation. Two of them come over to open our car doors and I deliver them an awkward smile out of perceived obligation. I climb out and I walk with Avara to the guarded front door. The emotion she emanates is an echo of something darker. The tension before was coiled in dismay, but this one has shifted into a quiet vehemence. The door is opened for us and Avara takes a strong step forward before we’re soon exposed to the living room and who occupies it.