Read Online Savage by Michelle St. James - Free Book Online Page B

possible.
    It had been a little over an hour since she left Lily at Mrs. Hodges'. They would still be having tea, maybe playing a game. She could afford to take half an hour to compose herself before she went back for Lily.
    She went to the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine left over from the wake. They probably should have removed it from the house, but the truth was, it didn’t matter. If their mother wanted to drink, she would drink, and nothing would stop her. She hadn’t even been drinking wine tonight.
    Jenna sighed into the empty room and filled a wine glass half full. She took a long drink, then stared at the burgundy liquid, trying to imagine it having such a hold on her that she would sacrifice everything. Her husband. Her dignity. Her hopes and dreams. Her children.
    She couldn’t. She’d dodged that genetic bullet, as had Kate. She would have to be careful with Lily. Explain the predisposition when she was old enough to understand.
    She took another drink of the wine, rolling her shoulders as the alcohol seeped into her bloodstream. She felt better, calmer, and she went to the fridge and looked at the stacks of food brought by friends and neighbors. Nothing sounded good, and she was closing the door when the bell rang.
    She debated not answering. It was probably someone checking on them, making sure they were holding up okay, maybe even bringing more food. She didn’t have the energy to smile and reassure anyone that she was okay. That they would all be okay.
    She headed to the front of the house when the bell sounded again. Her mother was asleep, and she would have to pick up Lily soon. She didn’t want one of the neighbors to see her leave and think she’d been hiding from them.
    But when she opened the door it wasn’t a neighbor or family friend. It was Alexander Petrov.
    “Hello,” he said, holding up a brown paper bag with a sheepish smile. “I thought you might be running out of shepherd’s pie.”
    A wave of complex spices drifted to her from the bag, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Indian food?”
    He nodded. “Good nose.”
    “How nice,” she said. “You didn’t have to do that.”
    He shrugged. “John was with us a long time. It’s important to us — to me — that his family is all right. Also, I didn’t get to speak with you at the wake.” He shifted on his feet, and she realized he was attractive. Not in the primal way that Farrell was attractive but in a nice way. “Although if you would rather I leave it so you can eat in peace, there will be no hard feelings.”
    She hesitated. She needed to pick up Lily, and being alone with her father’s boss hadn’t exactly been in her plans for the evening. But the smell of the Indian food had risen her appetite, and the prospect of a little company didn’t sound half bad.
    She stepped back to let him in. “I have to step out in a bit, but I think I can manage a quick meal. And although there is still plenty of shepherd’s pie in the fridge, I have to admit I’m rather sick of it.”
    He smiled, displaying two charming dimples that made him look incongruously boyish in his expensive suit. “Terrific.”
    She led him to the back of the house and unpacked the food. Then retrieved two plates from the cupboard. They made small talk while they dished, then took their food to the couch. They ate in silence for a few minutes, and Jenna was surprised to find it wasn’t at all awkward. She wasn’t usually good at getting to know new people, and she often felt self-conscious, hyper aware of quiet even when the other person seemed perfectly at ease.
    “How are you holding up?” he finally asked, his voice careful, like he knew he was pressing around a fresh wound.
    “I’m okay most of the time,” she said. “Then I realize he’s really gone, and it’s hard all over again.”
    He nodded. “I imagine that’s how it is. I hope with time it will become less difficult.”
    “I hope so, too.” She paused before continuing. “I