44: DO YOU WANT ACE?

PEBBLES' POV

Fire and brimstone rained down on me as the ice-queen glared at me. Her smile was forced when she strolled up to me and air-kissed my cheeks. Thomas and Bradley were grinning with contentment, delighted over the fact that Mary was — well, offering me some form of acknowledgement. Ace, however, was rolling his eyes, not buying into his grandmother's antics.

I swallowed hard when she lightly gripped my shoulders. Her eyes burrowed into my soul and her fake smile kept biting at my heart. “I apologize for the manner I acted the other day. I blame the arthritis medications. I had my physician prescribe me a lower dosage. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.” She finished batting her eyelashes, grinning like that possessed girl from the movie, The Exorcist.

She hauled me in for a hug and her expensive cologne infiltrated my nostrils, like soldiers at war, choking me from the inside while leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. With watery eyes, I answered. “All is forgiv