I’d met the cousin briefly, and she was nice enough. Still, I wasn’t so sure about yet another change at the château. Then again, it had already changed with Marius becoming part of the family, thanks to Mina. So, that was a done deal. But would Bene stick around after his contract ended?
I glanced at Gen. Would I? Could I?
Please,I nearly pleaded.
She nudged my foot with hers, assuring me she didn’t need convincing.
So, change was definitely in the wind. A huge life change, not just a change of scenery.
I couldn’t wait, but one worry nagged at me. Was I cut out for a settled life and a serious relationship?
My tiger hummed happily.Try me.
Marius pointed at the painting. “As good as it is to have your father’s painting back, something tells me Gordon won’t be as happy about it. Not without the Monet.”
My phone rang, and everyone groaned.
“Let me guess,” Bene muttered. “It’s Gordon.”
I checked the display, nodding wearily. “He’ll want a few words, for sure.”
“Oh, I have a few words for him,” Marius growled.
I was about to take the call when Gen put a hand on my arm. “Wait. What are you going to tell him?”
Exactly what I’d been wondering. What to tell Gordon and what to withhold.
“I’ll summarize,” I finally said.
Gen squeezed my arm, shaking her head urgently.
The phone rang and rang.
“Just silence the damn thing,” Marius grunted. “Let him wait.”
I considered for a long minute. It was one thing to be selective in what I shared with Gordon. But openly defying him while still under contract… It just wasn’t in my DNA.
Gen snatched the phone out of my hands and silenced it. Even without the noise, my nerves remained taut.
“I have an idea,” she declared.
I stirred the air with my hand, hurrying her up.
“Possibly a brilliant one,” she added.
Bene grinned. “You mean, another idea that sounds crazy but somehow works out in the end?”
She gave him a thumbs-up. “Exactly.”
I waited, not all too convinced.
Finally, she came out with it. While everyone looked skeptical at first, we soon leaned in, absorbing every detail.
“Wow. Bold plan,” Bene murmured when she finished. “The question is, will it work?”
Mina chewed that over for a moment, then nodded. “Gen’s right. We need to take charge instead of defaulting to Gordon.”
“But he has to think he’s in charge,” Gen added quickly.
