Jeers, shouts, and kernels of popcorn are thrown at us from everyone else in the room. But as I sit down next to Oliver, there’s a huge dash for the chair next to me, with Declan just edging out Jaxon as the winner. Eventually, everyone settles down after introductions, and as the cards get dealt, I feel the huge smile taking over my face.
“Hey, what’s that look for? Have you got some good cards?” Jacinta asks, pointing a carrot stick in my direction, but I shake my head.
“Nope, just really, really freaking happy.” The rumbling of voices drops off as everyone silently acknowledges what I said. Oliver and Declan’s hands both find my knees and squeeze.
“And we’re really happy to have you here.” Dad beams, and the silence is broken as everyone chimes in. In that moment, I just about melt from all the love and laughter.
Chapter Sixteen
Harlow
Once I was seated and finally got a chance to look around the room, I realized it was a bigger area than I had thought. After my exposure to the Summers’ lifestyle, I totally should have predicted that though. We’re sitting around a large poker table, so big they must have had it custom made in order to fit the whole family plus a few guests. Behind us, there’s a pool table and an air hockey table. Along one wall there’s a fully stocked bar, and on the other side there are pinball machines and arcade-style shooting games as well as comfy sofas and chairs for seating.
The drinks are flowing and the food has been devoured as we settle in for another round of Cards Against Humanity. The responses have been thick with sexual innuendo, and some of them are frankly despicable, but the laughter has been loud and long. I’ve had to wipe my eyes a few times to chase away the tears. Declan's hand on my knee has slowly crept upward the more he’s had to drink, and I’ve had to smack him a couple of times. He’s been whispering in my ear every time a dirty response is played, telling me about how he’d like to do that to me. Like, what the freaking hell has body snatched this man? Seriously, how did he go from the serious, suited Declan to jeans and bare feet lecherous Declan. I won’t deny that my panties are wet with want, my body praying he’ll make good on all his promises, but this is just not the right moment, damn it.
Across from me is Dad, with Emma and Molly seated on either side of him. On the other side of Emma is Jaxon, and I’ve been watching the two of them carry on a private conversation that’s been impossible to hear beneath everyone else’s laughter and playful teasing. But finally they break off before Emma turns to me. “So, Harlow, Jaxon has asked for you to come through the house on Sunday if you want. I okayed it with the trustee, and they don't have a problem with it seeing as Grace and Howard are old friends of the count.”
I gape at her, then at Jaxon, who gives me a wink. “Are you serious? That would be awesome!”
“Why don't you and Jaxon come for breakfast with us in our cottage, let’s say about nine, and we’ll go after that. They're also sending over a record of the animals that were in the zoo when the count disappeared. They have noted down what was there and where they went. Jaxon said it was something you were really interested in.”
He even asked about the animals?! Damn it! Did you hear that sound? That was the rest of my resentment shriveling up into a ball and going poof. When these men decide they’re all in, they really pull out all the stops.
“I can’t believe you thought about that,” I say to him, and he just gives me this gentle smile. I remember that one from our very first encounter. God, that feels like it was so long ago now. This was the smile that hooked me that night in the club, and I’m definitely no more resistant to it now. The brightness of the moment is only dimmed the tiniest bit by Declan muttering next to me about asshole brothers not playing fair. Apparently, he said it loud enough for the others to catch it because everyone chuckles.
“I’m sorry, Emma, but I’ll be tagging along if you don't mind,” Thomas adds in, looking awkward as fuck.
“Of course, Thomas. You're more than welcome. Any of you can come if you want.”
Dad’s cell rings, and he pulls out of his pocket, frowning at the screen. “That’s weird. It’s the security guard at the gate.” Thomas jumps up and pulls out a gun from the back of his pants, going straight into overload. He had opted not to drink, saying he wanted to make sure he was alert and capable should anything happen. The others had scoffed, but I guess he made the right choice.
“Dude! Where did you pull that from?” Kai’s a little wide-eyed from the alcohol and his brother’s slightly extra reaction, but he’s the only one. The others don’t look surprised by their brother having his James Bond moment, but they are watching Dad with a close eye, waiting to hear what’s going on.
Dad holds up his hand and waves Thomas back down as he answers. “Yes?” He’s silent for a moment before panic crosses his face as he looks from Jaxon to Jacinta. “Fuck, okay, thanks for letting me know. We can handle her.”
He hangs up his phone. “Sit down, Thomas. It’s just Cecelia. I’m pretty sure she just discovered she’s been locked out of all Neighpalm systems.” A heavy sigh leaves his mouth.
“Jacinta, Jaxon, I’m sorry for what I think is about to happen. I only hope you will forgive me. In the beginning, I kept it from you for real reasons, but after that I just didn’t know how to bring it up when you were old enough.”
Dad’s cryptic apology is overshadowed by the slam of the door at the top of the stairs and Cecelia’s subsequent screech. “Where are you? I warned you what would happen if you crossed me.”
“Holy shit, you were right,” Kai whispers, looking at me.
She appears in the doorway, fury on her face, her mouth curved in a sneer. Dad stands up, his hands slamming down on the poker table.
“Damn it, Cecelia, I’ve had enough of your shit. You’ve held this over me long enough, and I will not stand for the way you treat me or my children anymore. You went too far this time with Harlow and her clothes. What delusional part of you thought that would be overlooked?”
She blinks, shocked by his reaction, I think. What did she think he was going to do, cower? Well, to be fair, if she’s actually been blackmailing him for who knows how long, I guess it makes sense that she wouldn’t expect him to have a backbone.
Emma stands up, her hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “Maybe we should go.” Cecelia’s attention goes to her.
“Who the fuck are you?”
“No, Emma, sit down. This concerns you in a roundabout way too. Two years ago, Cecelia applied for the position of my personal assistant. She wasn't going to get the job since she wasn't anywhere near qualified enough for what I wanted, and during the interview, she must have realized she didn't have a chance. She dropped all pretenses and basically told me that if I didn't hire her, she would go to the media and tell them that I’m guilty of child trafficking.” My adopted siblings burst into loud curses and shouts of denial.
Cecelia crosses her arms, looking smug, but there’s also a hint of worry on her face. “And I still will if you don't reinstate my privileges.” How she can even take herself seriously, I have no idea.Yeah, bitch, because now you don't have like a bazillion witnesses to your blackmailing.
Dad sits back down, running a hand through his hair, and his eyes that are so much like mine are tired and sad. “No, you won’t. This week, when you supposedly signed a document for a raise, it was actually a non-disclosure form. You didn’t read it properly. Your arrogance convinced you that I’d never do anything to strike back at you for the lies you’ve held over my head for the last two years, and I suppose that’s my own fault—it took much too long for me to get tired enough of your bullshit to fight back.” He growls before continuing, trying to resume some kind of calm. “I have also been speaking to the relevant authorities this week to make sure that whatever possible charges might have stuck so many years ago are no longer relevant. The children I ‘bought’ are now adults, and the only person who would be in trouble now is the woman who sold them to me. You’ve got nothing.”
