“How’s Charlie?”
“He’s going to be okay.”
James’s nostrils flared. “I was expecting a little more detail on my son’s state of mind than a trite phrase, Nate.”
Perhaps so, but I wasn’t going to betray Charlie’s fears to the father who was undoubtedly a large part of his unhappiness. “I’m not sure what more I can tell you,” I said. “He’s sought help, which I think reflects where he is at the moment.”
For an instant, I could have sworn I saw his dragon in his eyes, furious at my obstructiveness.
But none of that was apparent in his voice when he next spoke. “I admit, you took me by surprise. How did you persuade Charlie to ask for help?”
Talking to James Fortescue felt like fencing, and I took the time to get my words right. “I think it was pure synchronicity. We talked on a night when he was thinking about things, and he realised something had to change.”
“With a little directed pressure from you, no doubt.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I couldn’t deny it, but I hated that he thought so little of his son. And if he blamed me for getting Charlie away, I didn’t know what that meant for me. James ran hot, and it would be easy to cross a line that couldn’t be uncrossed.
“It appears you’ve been very busy while staying with us, Nate. You’ve evidently turned into a capable young man, and I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve underestimated you.”
He sat looking at me for the longest time. As at our last meeting, I felt he was waiting for me to crack and that whatever I said to break the awkward silence would somehow give him information. I wished he’d given me a drink. It would give me something to do with my hands.
“Charlie’s mother is upset with you,” he said finally. “She believes you betrayed our trust by helping Charlie run away rather than coming to us with his problem.”
“He didn’t run away,” I said steadily, though it was hard to keep calm when I could see the rage rising in him at my contradiction,his fingers digging into the arms of his chair. “He wanted help, and he thought that being out of his usual environment would avoid his triggers.”
His eyes were hooded as he looked at me. Then he smiled, and that was scarier still. “You have your meeting with Tom and the Board tomorrow. If that goes well, we may be welcoming you to the family business. I won’t keep you now. You’ll want to prepare.”
Once out of that room, I drew a deep breath. The sense of threat from James throughout our conversation had been unmistakable. Was he angry with me for my role in Charlie’s escape or for my refusal to tell him everything he wanted to know? Whichever it was, the fact he hadn’t cancelled tomorrow’s interview must mean my situation here wasn’t irretrievable.
I texted Alex.Car? Ten minutes?I wanted to see him, to explain everything, or as much as I could without putting him at risk. To hold him and be held by him. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed him, his steady presence, the light in his eyes when he laughed, and the way the world stopped when he kissed me. I needed him.
ALEX
Seconds after I’d replied to Nate with a thumbs up, another text arrived.Sorry. Can’t.
What the hell? I went to the door and leaned out, looking along the landing for him. I was just in time to see Ella tugging him into the withdrawing room. When I first came here, I’d thought the name of the room was a joke. I’d learned a lot about rich people and their vanities since then.
I returned to my position leaning against the wall and—according to Fiona—glowering at everyone.What thehell,Nate? I understood that he needed to see James as a priority. But putting Ella before me, too?
I was learning that I wasn’t as important to Nate as he was to me. That hurt.
Chapter Twenty-seven
NATE
I was growing desperate to see Alex, and at any other time, I’d have made an excuse to Ella and caught up with her later. But she was crying. She’d been crying for some time if the red eyes and strands of hair sticking to her wet cheeks were any indication.
“I need to talk to you,” she said fiercely, and grabbed me by my wrist to haul me along the landing. I had just enough time to shoot a text to Alex before we were behind the closed door of the withdrawing room. Ella was pacing up and down the room, gulping back her sobs and pushing her hair away from her face.
“Ella,” I started, and she turned on me.
“Don’t you dare. Don’t you bloodydarepretend you care about me after you took Charlie away.”
“Hold on there, I wentwithCharlie, to support him. I didn’t make him go.” Not really.
“He’d never have gone away without you, and you know it. And now I’ll be stuck here with Steven, and you’ll be leaving, too. Ihateyou!”
“Ella.” I moved towards her. She stepped away, so I stood still. “Listen to me, please. Charlie needed help.” I didn’t say what type of help in case her parents were shielding her from the knowledge. “He’ll be back before you know it.”
