Circle of Deception 2 by M. Skye Read Free Book Online Page B

want to take any chances until we can afford to.”
    “Good idea,” Melissa laughed and put her arms around Margret. “Let’s get a drink, we need a nice stiff one.”
    Maria came from the back with a nervous look on her face and sighed. “That was so close, I need to be smarter when it comes to my daughter. She is so insightful.”
    “Yeah, well Margret here saved the day. Now, no more worries for the night. We have earned ourselves a round of drinks.”
    ***
    Alex had gotten off work and was rushing over to Allison’s school to pick her up. He was cursing himself for running behind. He was only five minutes late, but Meg was always on time. He already had a lot to live up to considering her squeaky-clean image with Allison on the pickup and drop off scene, and he wanted her to request him the way she always requested Meg. When he arrived, he saw her standing with her teacher holding her hand looking a little upset. He assumed it was because of his tardiness, and immediately felt bad.
    The car ride home was very quiet as they rode in silence. When he asked her what was wrong, she deflected his question, and began to look out the window as they headed home. He knew that she must be upset with him because usually she would be talking his ear off, but this time she was dead silent. They made it home, they were still quiet, and he just let her venture off to her room. Hours later, he was sitting on the couch and she came and sat down next to him quietly. He looked at her blank expression and decided to start up a conversation.
    “Princess, how was school?” he pulled her into his lap.
    “It was good, daddy. I got a new teacher, she plays with me at recess.”
    “That’s good. Now, tell me what you want to do for your birthday.”
    “I want a party, a big one,” she giggled. “I want all my friends from school, my granny, and my aunts and uncles, but I wish,” she drifted off and looked away.
    “You wish what, sweetie?”
    “Nothing, you’re going to get mad.”
    Alex stroked her blond curls and kissed her cheek. “It’s your birthday, you can have whatever you want.”
    “I wish grandpa could come. I know he is in grown man’s time out, but I wish he could come to my party. I miss him.”
    Alex huffed and held her to his chest. He knew she and Ben had developed a close relationship, but he had hoped she would forget all about him with time. With everything Ben had done, he was never going to let him near her again, and he was never going to get a chance to suck Jordan in. The day Ben was arrested, Alex vowed never to let him into his life again. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you know grandpa can’t come. He has been very bad and we won’t be seeing him again.”
    “I know,” she lowered her head. “I just wish we could.”
     
    Meg walked around the corner with Jordan and saw the troubled look on Allison’s face and rushed to sit next to them. Allison moved to the side to where she was right up against Alex and placed her hand on his leg. Meg watched as she leaned away from her, and felt displaced. Normally, Allison would have been on top of her head to kiss Jordan or at least tell Meg all about her today. Today, she seemed to want to be far away from them. Meg was caught off guard, she and Allison had always been so close, and to pick up on the resistance stung. Alex saw the pain in her eyes, and tried to soothe the situation.
    “Alli, don’t you want to tell mommy what you want for your birthday? I’m sure she would like to know too.”
    Allison sighed and turned to face Meg. “I want a big party; daddy said I could have one.”
    Meg tried hard to hold in the tears threatening to escape her eyes. “That would be great, sweetie. We will do whatever we can to make that happen.” Allison studied her for a second and then got up and ran upstairs. Once she was gone, Meg allowed the tears she had been holding in to flow freely. Marisol had been watching the scene unfold, and quickly rushed in to