At Any Cost by Cara Ellison Page A

after all, were expected to have careers and lives. Still, she knew that any hint of neutrality would be seen as fierce opposition. Suddenly the banality and appalling pointless predictability of the argument in the face of much graver concerns seemed ridiculous to her. At this moment, very powerful forces were conspiring to accuse her of murder. And her mother simply went on, murmuring delicately about her desire to act, how unfair it was for Preston to intervene in her career, how life without acting was dreadful and unfulfilling.
    â€œI see you no longer require my presence for this argument,” Fallon said blandly.
    Her mother blazed at her with a silent, cutting stare, yet oddly hurt.
    Fallon walked away, shutting the bedroom door behind her. Alone in the corridor, she paused, revolted yet pitying her mother, and waited for the feeling to pass. When she was sure she was in control of herself once more, she walked down the long hallway to her brother’s room and softly opened the door.
    At the sight of him in his airplane-themed bed, her heart lifted. But in the next instant, she was disturbed because he was asleep. It was nearly two o’clock in the afternoon. Why was Evan asleep?
    At his bedside, Fallon knelt down. His innocence and beauty made her ache with sadness. Growing up in this family was a curse. Even now, as he lay there, he was being abused. He was six; he didn’t need a nap every afternoon. But it was easier for her parents and keepers to let him sleep than actually take care of him.
    Fallon kissed his cheek and he startled awake.
    â€œHi, sweetheart …”
    Evan woke with a little start, blinking at her.
    â€œHi, honey, how are you doing?” She wanted to cuddle him, hug him close to her heart, and he usually allowed her to, but if she did it too quickly, he would become irritable. So she merely sat by his bedside, petting back his soft, baby-fine hair.
    He sat up and looked around as if trying to remember why he was there.
    â€œWhere is Kendra?” Fallon asked.
    â€œDon’t know,” he said sleepily.
    â€œCome on, let’s go find her,” she said. She stood up and held out her hand. Evan took it and scooted out of bed.
    With every step, she grew more furious at Kendra for leaving him unattended and her mother for not caring. At Kendra’s room, Fallon knocked loudly on the door. No answer. She could hear her father’s voice from the library asking, “Where the hell is Fallon?”
    â€œHave you seen Kendra?” she asked the Secret Service agent posted at the foot of the stairs.
    Just then, Kendra’s voice floated over to her. “Here I am! Is Prince Charming awake?”
    Fallon turned to the young caretaker with death in her eyes. “Where were you?”
    â€œI just went to the bathroom.”
    â€œIf you don’t want this job, there are others who do,” Fallon said coldly.
    Shock stained Kendra’s cheeks pink. “Miss Hughes …”
    â€œDo not let him sleep in the middle of the day. His wake up is seven in the morning and his bedtime is eight thirty. Do you understand?”
    â€œYes,” she said weakly.
    â€œI have a meeting to attend,” Fallon said. “But you will take my brother upstairs, play some games with him, take him to visit my mother, and keep him entertained for the rest of the day. Am I clear?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood.” Fallon turned to Evan, her manner instantly softening. “I will come see you tonight. We’ll have dinner together, okay?”
    â€œOkay.”
    Fallon bent down and kissed him. “Okay, Sport, I’ll see you later.”
    He nodded and offered a tight smile that created a gap in the day—a little moment where nothing existed but his innocent goodness. What she wouldn’t give to live a normal life, in a normal town, where she could make sure that Evan had a life that would be worthy of his sweetness. She’d love to