Something Up Her Sleeve

“Hayley, open the door!”

“Go away!”

“Oooh, baby, please! We need to talk!”

“I said, get away from me!”

There was the sound of something hitting Hayley’s closed bedroom door, then the sound of glass shattering as it hit the floor.

“Leave her alone,” Gordon told his wife, squeezing her shoulder.

Esme tugged at Gordon’s shoulder to release his grip. “How could I leave her alone while she was crying like that!” she shouted at him.

Gordon took a deep breath. “Come on. She will come out when she feels better. You can cook her favorite meal while you wait.”

“This is all your fault!” Esme pointed at Gordon. “If only you were firmer and immediately urged Scott to perform the bonding ceremony with Hayley, they would be inseparable partners by now!”

Gordon clenched his fists at his sides, refusing to accept Esme’s accusations that cornered him. “That girl is Scott’s mate! You know there’s nothing we can do about it!”

“Yes, there are!” Esme argued. Her eyes were wide and bloodshot with rage and c