Inheritance Of Secrets

Bruises

"Why do you have a bruise on the corner of your face?

I rolled my eyes as I walked past him to get to the dining room, "I fell Grayson."

He stepped in front of me, "I have heard that one too many times. Where were you last night?"

"Taking down the Russian mafia," I say sarcastically while glaring at him. I wasn't lying for once. I actually just walked into a door last night while I was cleaning the kitchen.

"Annabelle, would you please tell me your location and why you only got home early this morning," Grayson asked, somehow making his voice sound sweet. His eyes stayed locked on mine giving me his cold glare.

"I'm not the one you should be asking about today, Grayson." He stared at me confused. I nudged him over to look at Avery who just flinched when pick up a tray. She had a slight cut on her face that was seemingly covered up with makeup and based on the way she flinched the stitches she had to get were on her collarbone.

"What happened to Avery?" He asked, staring back at me.

"Not sure. I guess we will have to ask." I shrugged as I let him walk past me to talk to Avery. He then indicated me to follow them into the next room.

"You're injured." Grayson looks right at Avery. "You will tell me what happened."

"Oh, I will, will I?" She gave him a look back clearly annoyed by the phrasing.

"Please." He said the words with such distaste in his voice.

"I was shot." She paused for a blink, "Shot at."

"Bark got flung into your collarbone and grazed your cheek. You should be more wary if you want to hide the injury." I say to Avery eyeing the spot on the corner of her face that the makeup was covering.

"I'll try harder next time." She says voice dripping in sarcasm.

"When were you shot at," Grayson spat out.

"Last night," Oren replied curtly.

Grayson swivelled his head towards the bruise on the side of my face before asking, "And where were you?" His comment was demanded at Oren. It was a little confusing how he even let anyone pass the gate.

"Not nearly as close as I'll be from now on," Oren promised, staring Grayson down.

"Remember me?" Avery stated while raising her hand. "Subject of your conversation and capable individual in her own right?"

"No, let them keep going, this is hilarious." Say to her with a smile. Grayson gives me a stone cold glare before looking at Avery.

"You'll let Oren do his job," he ordered softly like it was going to make this situation any better.

"And who do you think he's protecting me from?" She gestures to the door where the rest of the Hawthorne's and libby were eating.

"I doubt anyone in there shot you, Avery." I look to her reading the concern and small traces of anger and fear on her face, "They may of paid someone to do though."

I see a little part of her brain tick on as she now runs through the new possible suspect of this shooting.

"If anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible." Grayson says as he glares coldly at Oren.

"Mr. Personal Responsibility." Jameson announced his presence and ambled toward his brother. "Charming."

Grayson gritted his teeth, then realised something. "The three of you were in the Black Wood last night." He stared at Jameson. "Whoever shot at her could have hit one of you."