An Oath In Blood (Book #3)

Chapter 10: Playing With Fire

WARREN HALE

My mother eyed me with a longing that made me want to hurl. She had had that look on her face ever since I walked into my brother's penthouse, the one he had bought and concealed from our parents. He had pinned the penthouse as mine when mum had asked about it. I didn't care much so I didn't sell him out either. I also needed him to be on my side right now.

"What is the matter with you? You've barely spoken since we got here." Emmett watched me with a soft frown between his brows. He was sitting on one of the couches in the spacious living area. The penthouse screamed wealth, crowded with paintings, decorations, and sovereigns I would never own. The fact that my mother believed my brother when he said that it belonged to me only showed how much of a distance was separating me from my family.

I glanced up from my phone, pocketing it before turning to my oldest brother and my mother. "I wanted to ask you for a favor." I directed the words toward my mother. Cassandra Hale's eyes lit up as if I'd just told her I was moving back in with them.

"Anything, darling." She was quick to respond, a smile making its way onto her face. It was the same smile that she had given me countless times before when she had forgotten about a class activity or missed a PTA meeting. It was her 'I-know-I-fucked-up-but-I-am-willing-to-do-anything-for-your-love-again' smile.

"Remember the party you threw for your thirtieth marriage anniversary? Or was it the fortieth?" I frowned as I tried to jog my memory. It had been so long ago that I didn't remember much other than her. I could never forget her.

"Which one is it, sweetie?" My mother's smile strained but stayed put. I often pitied her. She was always trying to please the people around her but she didn't have the balls to tell them off.

"The one where you and dad slow danced for the crowd? The one with the caterer disaster?" I recalled the night and the way one of the caterers was drunk, spilling a tray of champagne on one of the guests who threatened to sue the company. I was sure that they had indeed sued them.

"Ah, yes." Mum's expression morphed into one of realization. "I do remember that day." Her smile was soft yet it made her eyes crinkle at the corners. "What about it?" She questioned, straightening once more. She let go of her pearl necklace that she had begun to play with.

"Were the Hawkes on the guest list that night?" I asked. The moment the question left my lips, the very air in the room seemed to have shifted. Emmett straightened the lapel of his coat, clearing his throat, and looking away. My mother's perfect porcelain skin paled and she shifted in her seat, fixing her white pencil skirt.

Nervousness flickered across her features as she looked away from me, playing with the brooch in her button down silk shirt, matching with her skirt. Her hair, styled away from her face in soft, bouncy curls fell over her shoulders as she turned to her oldest son. "Darling, do you mind pouring me a drink?" She offered him a grateful smile.

"The usual?" Emmett asked before slipping off the couch he was sitting on with my mother and walking away. I stared after him, slowly realizing that I did not know what my mother's usual was. I was her son too, but I had no idea what drink was her favorite.

I had realized that the subject that I had broached was a sour spot for my family so I waited for them to compose themselves. Once my mother had gotten her usual, which turned out to be gin and tonic, she faced me once more.

"Why do you ask about the Hawkes, Warren?" My name rolled off her lips, telling me that I had crossed some line that I wasn't aware of.

"So, the Hawkes were on the list." I hummed, ignoring my mother's question. I wasn't going to tell her about the attack on me, or the fact that the Hawkes' daughter was trying to kill me. From the tension slowly filling every crevice of the room, I could tell that the family was not favored by mine. But why? Actually, I didn't care. I didn't want to know why.