Heading toward where we parked the truck yesterday, I find Declan leaning against it, all sexy and hot, surrounded by a group of women. A wave of jealousy flows through me as I watch him flirt with them, but when his eyes meet mine, I can see how he really feels. He’s smiling, but his eyes tell me he wants nothing to do with any of them. He's good at putting on the friendly act. I guess these people are his employees, so he has to be nice to them, but does he need to bethatnice? I would much rather see him aiming his cold Mr. Aloof persona at all of these women, the one that says ‘I’m fucking off limits to all of you.’ The one that I saw so much of in the first few days but haven't really seen since Princess had her kittens. Was that only three days ago? So much has happened since then.
“Ok, ladies, time to move along. We need to get on the road if we’re going to make it home today.” I shoo them away, getting dirty looks from one or two of them, but I don’t give a crap. “I don't know if it’s because we’re leaving or the fact that I said we were going home together,” I murmur as they head off.
The light in Declan’s eyes changes as he watches the women drift away, and the tension bleeds out of his body. “Are you okay?” I reach out, putting my hand on his arm.
“Yeah, it’s just hard, you know? To be nice when you know all they want from you is something. So much of California's population wants to make it big, the ones in the actual movie industry even more so, even if they’re the caterers or the cleaners or whatever. It wears on you after a while when all they want to do is talk about themselves and what movies we’re working on. It would be nice if they were interested in me as a person for a change.” Between this and our drive here, I’m getting a better feel for who he is, and these little peeks at the real Declan—his hobbies and even some vulnerabilities—is making me really want to learn more and maybe let him learn about me too.
He shakes his head and steps up, opening the door of the truck for me. “Come on, let's get going. I’m ready to see Holden.” He moves out the way and goes around to the driver’s side as I climb up and into the cab.
Before long, we’re leaving the castle and movie set behind us. I watch the scenery go by, not moving to grab my book this time.
“So, have you ever scuba dived in Hawaii?” I remember him mentioning he liked to dive yesterday.
“Yeah, Hawaii is great for diving,” he replies enthusiastically. “Why, are you interested in giving it a go?”
“I don't know about scuba diving, but I wouldn't mind trying snorkeling while we’re there. I've never done that before.”
“I wish I could come with you and show you one of my favorite spots, but I’ve got a major meeting set for Monday morning, and I don't think you guys will be back by then. I’ve got a feeling Kai’s going to drag it out for as long as possible. I know I would if I had you all to myself. Not to mention Jaxon will want to spend time with you as well.”
“Jaxon?” I look at him in surprise, and he frowns.
“Yeah, didn't you hear them say that the other day? Jaxon needs to check on the new hotel, so he’s going with you guys.”
“I guess I’d forgotten what with everything that happened.” He looks at me quickly before his eyes go back to the road.
“Is that going to be a problem? Jaxon has been just as aggressive as I have, but I know he’s regretting it now.”
I shrug, not really wanting to talk about it. Jaxon is like Oliver. Someone who I thought I’d clicked with, but then he let me down when he assumed the worst of me. He’s also the one I've had the least to do with. Even at the offices the other day, despite me helping him out with Raquel, that cold indifferent man made an appearance. He gives me whiplash, and I had hoped for a stalker-free and drama-free relaxing time away with Kai.
“Look, Jaxon and I were assholes. I'm not going to deny it. I know it’s harder with the two of us, but look how well you and I are getting along now. This could be you and Jaxon too. I know you guys hit it off when he was out there for the nightclub opening.”
I’m a little unsure about opening up to Declan about his brother, but I guess if we’re going to attempt any kind of relationship, all cards should be on the table: total transparency.
“See, that’s why I'm so wary. We did hit it off, but then he lashed out.”
“Yeah, I can't say we don't have our fair share of issues since all of us do. But can you find it in your heart to at least give him a chance? Don't blow him off. If I know him, he’s going to be working twice as hard to make it up to you. And I’m going to talk to Jacinta. I know that she was the worst of us all, but I swear, there’s such a beautiful person underneath all of that.”
It’s sweet how determined he is to champion his sister, but I’d rather he focus on his own issues than trying to get in the middle of mine. Jacinta and I need to figure shit out for ourselves if we’re ever going to have any type of relationship. A life of stilted silence and cold glares just because she’s guilted into begrudging kindness isn’t my idea of a real sisterhood. “Declan, you deal with yours and her issues. Don't try to fix mine and hers. We have to do that for ourselves, and until she changes her mind, I'm afraid we’re at an impasse. I might not have a lot of relationship experience, but I do know that I want to be with someone, whether it’s physically or romantically, who knows for sure that I’m what they want. There is nothing here between us, or even the potential for it, until you can say that, and I think your issues with your sister won’t let you do that.”
“Okay fine, but just keep an open mind, please!” He sounds so… unlike him. It’s almost like he’s begging, so I put him out of his misery and nod my head.
“I’m not promising anything, but I’ll try,” I compromise, and he looks happy with that, relief softening his face and tension. Why he’s so determined to fight Jaxon’s battles too, I have no idea, but I don’t want to upset him and break the peace that’s settled between us, so I’ll push him on it another time.
For much of the drive, he tells me all about the diving in Hawaii, the types of coral I might see along with the different kinds of fish, and by the time we get home, a buzzing excitement is running through me. Though if I’m being honest, it might be my excitement at the thought of seeing Holden more than the thought of exotic fish.
I mean, it would be no hardship to snuggle up next to him while he was resting. Hedidsuggest it, and I would be a bad friend if I didn't give him what he wanted. Especially because I’m the reason he got shot.
Declan and I park the truck back around near the stables, but when we climb out, there’s a commotion that stops us in our tracks. Jacinta is saying something, yelling really, and though I can’t make out the words, I can clearly hear the emotion there: fear. My heart races.What if the stalker has struck again?
“I thought Dad was getting security for here?” I ask Declan.
“He was supposed to. Come on, let’s go see what’s going on.” He grabs my hand and drags me in that direction as I brace myself to face what lies ahead of us.
Chapter Eleven
Harlow
“What’s going on?” Declan asks as we jog into utter chaos.
