Bachelor (Rixton Falls #2) by Winter Renshaw

the idea of being dependent on you, if you want my honest opinion.”
    “What choice do you have? You’re not safe here. You don’t need people rifling through your personal effects. You don’t need people spying on your every move and restricting you from the outside world.” I reach across the desk and take her hand in mine. “I get it. This is scary to you. It’s going to be a huge change. I don’t have a maid or a chef or a laundress. I live in a penthouse apartment in the top of an old bread factory in downtown Rixton Falls. It’s a bit of a bachelor pad, but it’s spacious and open and the nighttime view is fucking amazing, and I have a fridge full of beer and liquor. It’s like Manhattan, if you shrunk it down to maybe one one hundredth of the size.”
    Serena sniffs. “A mini-Manhattan?”
    “Yes. A mini-Manhattan.” I rise.
    “Where are you going?” Her face turns serious.
    “Go pack.” I point to the door. “We’re leaving in ten minutes.”
    Snapping my fingers, I motion for her to stand up, and then I point to the door. “I’ll wait by the parlor. Pack quickly and expect a shit-ton of questions from Eudora. And remember, there’s nothing keeping you here. You have access to your finances through me now. And you can live anywhere you want. You’re not stuck here anymore. You’re free.”

Chapter 10
    S erena

    I find an oversized Louis Vuitton suitcase stuffed under the bed that once belonged to Catherine. Brushing off the dust, I roll it down the hall to my suite and proceed to empty most of my drawers.
    I sweep the contents of my bathroom counter into a cosmetic pouch and throw it on top, sitting on the lid to ensure the zipper goes all the way around.
    “Good lord, Serena, what on earth are you doing?” Eudora’s voice makes me jump so fast, I fall off the suitcase. “What is this?”
    “I’m leaving.” I pull the bag off my bed and take the handle.
    “You’re sorely mistaken if you think I’ll allow you to leave with that . . . with that snaky lawyer.”
    I laugh. “He’s not a snake.”
    “I don’t trust him.”
    “And I don’t trust you.” The words bypass my filter and escape through my lips. I’m just as shocked to hear them as she is. My hand covers my lips as our eyes meet.
    Her face falls, her mouth hanging agape, and she takes a step back.
    “Serena, you don’t mean that.” Eudora’s gray eyes water, and I feel awful despite all the reasons I have not to trust her. “You’re like a daughter to me. I’ve practically raised you since–”
    I keep a safe distance from her in case she tries to stop me from leaving. “You work for Veronica now. I know you tell her things.”
    Shit.
    Derek is going to kill me. I’m not supposed to mention anything related to Veronica to any of the manor staff.
    “I do as I’m instructed.” Eudora’s head tilts, coordinating an unspoken apology with her eyes. “My love for you is as strong as it’s ever been. Don’t ever doubt that. I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
    “I can’t stay here anymore,” I say. I need to end this conversation before I slip again. “I don’t need to explain myself, and I don’t expect you to understand.”
    “You don’t have a choice.” Her voice breaks, and when I look into her eyes, we both know her argument is invalid.
    “That’s not true,” I say. “I don’t have to stay here. Not anymore.”
    “Veronica is going to . . .” Eudora’s voice trails off, going places too dark to speak of.
    “Veronica’s going to do what she’s going to do. Let her.” I place my hand on her arm. “I . . . I can’t stay.”
    I let her go, unable to give her a better explanation than that for fear news might travel quickly.
    “Where are you going?” she calls after me.
    I stop, jaw slack as I search for the best answer. “I don’t know. Derek’s going to help me find a place of my own.”
    Our eyes meet, and for a moment, she offers a half-broken smile, her eyes