“Rowan still hasn’t relieved you from your duties? Oh, Saint,” the voice says. “I hope you have at least learned your lesson?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answers.
They both come into the living room, and I meet them halfway. A woman walks in front of Saint with green eyes and lush lips, reminding me of my soon-to-be husband. She stands tall, back straight like she’s bracing against a wind that never stops blowing. Her silver hair is pulled back into a neat bun, and the lines on her face don’t make her look old—they make her look like someone who’s lived an intense life. Someone who’s fought and clawed and bled her way through whatever life threw at her and still came out standing.
“Hello, dear,” she says, her endearing tone instantly putting me at ease. “I’m Anne, Rowan’s mother. Look at you, you’re so beautiful. Just like he said you were.”
Her hands extend forward, and I give her mine. They’re warm and slightly battered as she gives me a gentle squeeze, her eyes gleaming with something soft but deliberate. Anne King doesn’t seem to be the type of woman who’s too kind for her own good. I think her kindness is a choice. And I think that makes her even more powerful.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you,” I say, a bit stunned. “Rowan didn’t mention you were coming. I thought he’d be here too, so we could have dinner and—”
“Ah, yes, yes, we’re all so used to Rowan’s antics. Don’t worry about it. In fact, I am glad it’s just the two of us.”
Rowan’s antics, indeed.
I nod, inviting her to sit.
“Can I fix you a drink? What would you like?”
Saint brings out some snacks that Rowan’s chef made for us from the kitchen. Anne seems lost in thought as she follows him with her eyes.
“Poor boy,” she says, ignoring my question. “I wonder when he’s going to stop punishing him.”
My curiosity perks up. “Punishing him? For what?”
She laughs softly, and it’s a laugh that pulls you in, just like Rowan’s.
“He didn’t tell you? Ah, he stole his father’s baseball card collection and sold it on the Internet for tens of thousands of dollars. This happened about two years ago, when he started training in the military. When his father found out, he gave Rowan a call and asked him to discipline the boy by whatever means necessary.”
I let out an amused breath of air. “Why Rowan?”
“Well…” She presses her lips into a thin line. “He was the toughest general around. Every young man coming in for training respected him and was afraid of him. Even Saint. So Rowan took him in and made him his butler while his friends continued their military training the way they had set out to do.”
“Oh my God.” I shake my head. “Isn’t that a bit… extreme?”
She nods. “Better than prison, surely. But maybe you can talk to him. Saint looks rather disciplined to me now.” She gives him one last look as he places two cups of tea in front of us. What a strange thing, indeed—a tough-looking guy like Saint, working as a butler to be disciplined.
“Thank you, dear,” Anne tells him, then shifts all her attention to me. “Now tell me all about yourself, Dove. I hear you work as a lawyer? That is so special. Serving justice is no easy feat.”
I take it she doesn’t know about what happened to me.Thank God. I hoped that wouldn’t be the first thing she and I discussed. In truth, I haven’t really talked about what happened much since telling Sterling. If it’s healthy or not for my mind, I don’t really know, but… I know I hate re-visiting that place even through my memories. I tell her about my internship without mentioning it’s now gone, then the conversation becomes more personal.
Fidgeting with the hair tie wrapped around my wrist, I say, “Can I ask you something, Mrs. King?”
“Only if you call me Anne.” She places her hand on top of mine, then takes a sip of her tea.
I smile. “Rowan’s father… How come he didn’t…”
“Oh, Barrett doesn’t know I’m here. I don’t know how much you know about our family, but… his relationship with Rowan is still strained.”
“I’m sorry. Yes, Rowan mentioned that.”
“He would’ve brought me here if I’d asked him. Over the years, our relationship has changed. He likes to pay attention to me now.” She shakes her head. “But I didn’t want to do that toRowan. I didn’t think he’d want him in this house, much less when he isn’t here.”
Makes sense. I wouldn’t want my father here either after everything he did. And I know Rowan wouldn’t be okay with not being next to me when his father and I meet.
“You stayed,” I say, possibly pushing boundaries. “After all the things Mr. King has done, you stayed.”
She huffs out a laugh, watching me with a sidelong glance. “A statement, not a question. You spend too much time with my son.” I flinch slightly, but then she clarifies, “Oh, I’m just teasing you. He never asks for the things he wants. He takes them like they belong to him already.”
