Chapter 96

Mia sits on the ground, clapping her hands together as I walk one direction, stop, turn, and then head in the other direction. I’ve paced the room so long my hip joints are starting to ache, but I can’t convince myself to sit still.

Beau said whatever is happening to Neil at the hands of his father is all my fault. At first, I scoffed at such a thought. Neil has made clear dozens of times that he carries no special attachment to me. He’s hot for me, sure, fine. I’m hot for him too. But it’s not like it’s love.

I’m fairly certain they Hayes brothers are incapable of anything even remotely resembling love. And if they ever do allow themselves to feel something so novel, they certainly wouldn’t feel it for me.

To them, I’m so far beneath them, I’m subterranean.

Yet. Even so. The fact remains that Neil and I did fool around. And if dear old Alpha King Hayes finds out about that, he’s not going to be pleased.

It takes two to tango. I shouldn’t feel guilt. Any intimate relations between me and Neil, I’m only half responsible for.

Still, despite myself, I can’t help but feel bad.

I wonder who could have told on us. I doubt it would have been one of the other brothers. They know the best what kind of punishment awaited Neil. It seems unlikely that they would send him to that fate.

My mind slipped to Wyatt maybe. But I had trouble imagining the Alpha King would listen to some Beta.

Perhaps the salesclerk at the store did notice Neil and I together in the changing room after all?

Or… Gods, I guess it could be anyone. We were never really all that subtle.

Mia yawns into her fist. I glance out the window. It’s gotten later than I realized.

Neil is coming back today… right?

Not that it matters to me.

I scoop Mia into my arms and head into the kitchen. The baby is likely hungry, and I should be too. Unfortunately, I’m too busy pretending not to worry to feel like eating. I’ll take care of Mia, though.

I pass Beau again in the hallway as he’s heading out the door. He huffs an annoyed breath as he sees me but doesn’t bother me overmuch.

In the kitchen, Steven sits at the island. He’s eating a simple noodle dish from a bowl. When I come in, he looks up and gives me a small smile. It doesn’t last for long. There’s a worry line between his brows.

Everyone’s on edge then, not just Beau. And not just me. An uneasiness seems to be hanging over the entire house. Even Mia isn’t as bright as usual, as if she can feel it.

I put her in her high chair near Steven, though go to her special fridge to find her a meal.

“How’s your day been?” I ask him, just to make conversation. With all this quiet, I feel about ready to buzz out of my skin.

“Tense,” Steven says bluntly. I should expect that by now.

I grab a meal for Mia out of the fridge and bring it back to the table. Looks like mushed peas and carrots are on the menu for tonight. Yummy. I grab a baby-sized spoon on the way.

“Yeah…” I’m not sure how to reply to Steven.

He’s clearly not sure what else to say either, so an awkward moment hangs between us, as I open Mia’s dinner and start spoon feeding her. There’s more getting on her bib then in her mouth, no matter how many attempts I make.

“You have to swallow, sweetheart,” I tell her.

“Maybe she feels it too,” Steven says.

I agree. It would be hard not to, even if she wasn’t as perceptive as she is. The whole Pyramid feels like it’s holding its breath.

I feed Mia a little more. Steven finishes his noodles but makes no move to leave.

He’s building up to something. I can tell from his constipated look.

“Out with it then,” I say.

“Oh.” He drops his head a little, like he’s embarrassed I called him out. “I was just thinking…” He clears his throat. “When Neil returns, maybe you should give him some space.”

“So you also think his absence is my fault.”

“I don’t just think it,” Neil says. “I know it.”

“How can you be so sure?” My heart starts picking up speed. It’s one thing for Beau to speculate, and entirely another for Steven to be certain.

“It was part of the summons.”

“It was?”

“’Neil, I must speak to you immediately about your improper relations with the staff.’” Neil shrugs. “You are the only one he has improper relations with. Actually, you might be the only one any of us really talk to at all. Except Wyatt.”

I’m not sure how Wyatt would feel to be considered on the same level as lowly little me. He’d likely hate it. The vindictive part of me wants to tell him at once. The rest of me can acknowledge that is a childish notion and I have bigger problems.

“Neil doesn’t really like Wyatt,” Steven says. “So I highly doubt Wyatt is the cause of such ire from our father.”

“Maybe it’s a coincidence,” I offer, somewhat hopeful.

“No.” Steven slashes my hope without thinking twice. “From what I can tell, Father knows about most things. At least, it seems that way. And he’s always been tougher on Neil than the rest of us.”

“Why?” I ask. “Cause he’s the oldest?”

Steven nods. “As far as I can tell, Neil is the only one who hasn’t disappointed him yet.” A twinge of sadness lines his voice, so slight I almost don’t recognize it.

I stop feeding Mia to look at him.

His face conveys no trace of sadness. He looks matter-of-fact, but I’m certain I heard it. I want to ask more, but I don’t want to press. I’m not sure it’s any of my business. I’m already in too deep with the brothers as it is.

I continue feeding Mia.

Steven cleans up his plate and leaves the room.

Later, I continue to wait for Neil’s return. By now, it’s dark outside. I’ve already put Mia to bed. I’ve moved from pacing the room to pacing the hallways.

Holding the baby monitor in one hand, I walk through the Pyramid like a ghost haunting the hallways.

I debate with myself. I’m responsible. I’m not.

But mostly I’m worried about Neil.

When I hear his heavy footsteps, my heart picks up speed. I rush to follow, and catch sight of him for only a moment before he rounds the corner.

I don’t want to be so desperate to see him that I run, but I can’t help myself. I turn the corner after him and find myself in the hallway with his door.

It’s closed.

I rush to it, lift my hand, and knock. There’s movement inside. I know he’s in there.

But there’s no call inviting me to enter. There’s not any greeting at all.

I knock again, louder. “Neil? Are you in there?” I know he is.

He still doesn’t answer. Is he avoiding me? Or is he avoiding the whole world?

Maybe Steven is right. Maybe I should give him space. Especially if this is all my fault like everyone seems to think it is. But I still want to apologize. I want to know the damage I caused.

“Go back to your room, Chloe,” Wyatt says from the end of the hallway. Malice burns dark in his gaze. “You’re only embarrassing yourself.”