Of Water and Madness by Katie Jennings Read Free Book Online Page B

The three of them were hotheads so Thea treaded carefully to help resolve the issue. “Brock, your daughter is upset with you, and you should really listen to her and see if there’s anything you can do to help.”
    He rolled his eyes before he could stop himself, which only infuriated Blythe more.
    “ Are you kidding me right now ?” she exploded, shoving him with as much force as she could muster. He barely moved, but stepped back in shock. With tears in her eyes, she glared up at him furiously. “You just don’t care about me, do you?”
    From the sofa, Liam watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sympathy, pain and anger. And when he saw the hot tears of anger spilling over Blythe’s cheeks, he started to get to his feet, unable to watch any longer. He hadn’t even noticed she’d been dealing with this and for God knows how long. Had he just been too consumed by his own family drama to notice?
    Before Liam could even get out of his seat, Jax was already at Blythe’s side, staring Brock down fiercely, his arms wrapping around her in a sign of support and unity.
    Thea, recovering from the shock of what she was witnessing, stepped between Brock and Blythe, her eyes stern. “I think it would be best for the two of you to work this out, peacefully, in private.” She looked at both of them, keeping her voice level despite the thrumming adrenaline in her veins.
    Brock nodded, anguish in his eyes as Nyxa came up beside him, wrapping her arms around him possessively. He barely seemed to notice.
    Blythe wiped heatedly at the tears that had managed to fall, and thanked God Jax was by her side. Her knees were trembling from the emotions raging through her and she wasn’t quite certain if she could stand on her own.
    “Let’s go, Jax,” she murmured, steering him out of the parlor. He glared at Brock before shutting the doors behind them.
    Liam sat back down, looking relieved, but hurt. Rhiannon reached for his hand, holding it gently.
    “You’re used to her needing you,” she said gently, nudging him out of his reverie so he would look at her.
    “It’s always been up to either me or my dad to take care of her. She didn’t have anyone else when we took her in. I guess it’s weird to pass that torch to someone else…she doesn’t really need me.”
    “It’s not that she doesn’t need you anymore.” Rhiannon squeezed his hand supportively. “She just needs you in a different way now.”
    He nodded, understanding but having a hard time accepting. In a lot of ways, he still thought of Blythe as a little girl needing his protection. After Capri had been taken, and Rhiannon had been sheltered and distanced, Blythe had been all he’d had. It was hard giving a part of her up, even though he really liked the man he was giving her up to.
    Attempting to smile, he released Rhiannon’s hand and wrapped his arm over her shoulders instead, pulling her close to him so he could comfortably rest his head on hers.
    When his eyes drifted over to Brock, they narrowed with disappointment. He’d expected better of the man, at least in regards to Blythe. As much as she loved Lucian, she still wanted to know her own father. Even if he was somewhat of an arrogant ass most of the time.
    Maybe Rhiannon was right. If Brock couldn’t even commit to being a father to Blythe, how was he ever going to commit to a peaceful understanding with Rohan over their rocky and bitter past?
    Perhaps it was a simple answer…he wouldn’t.

     

 
     
     
     
     

“Am I overdressed? I mean, we are going to New York City, but…”
    “Honey, you look gorgeous, so shut the hell up.” Blythe shot Capri a quick grin and a wink as she fussed with her hair in the mirror over the dresser in Capri’s bedroom.
    Capri pouted, staring down at her classic gray slacks and elegant white blouse, accompanied by a simple string of pearls Rian had given her a few months before.
    “At least these shoes will be comfortable. I expect we’ll be doing a lot