“Compared to the circles you’re rolling in bed, I’d say so.” Royal leans forward, resting his head on his hand, supported by his elbow on his desk. “There isn’t an inch of that bed you haven’t tried to lie on yet.”
“So you are watching me right now.” I accuse him.
“I’m always watching.” He doesn’t even sound alittle remorseful.
My phone vibrates, and a message notification pops up over the top of the video call.
“Berto just texted me.”
Royal picks up a phone off his desk and looks at it while I click into the notification.
Berto:
I convinced Dad that the best thing is for you to stay at the Cavanaghs’ and really get immersed in their operation. It’s the only time we’ve had this sort of opportunity since Toni has clearly forgotten who her family is. We expect twice daily updates.
“Holy shit, they said yes!”I spring up out of bed, heading for my suitcase.
Royal doesn’t answer, and I go back to the video call. He’s still watching what must be my room feed.
“Unless you don’t want me to come.” Vulnerability crashes into me.No, this was his idea, not mine. He wants me.
Instead of answering right away, he looks up at the camera. “More than anything, I want you out here so we can spend time together. I’ve kinda forgotten what it’s like to have someone I get along with so well in my life. I want to soak up every second.”
“Well, then I guess I better pack. If I leave here early enough, we could get breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“Better yet, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. We can grab breakfast in the city before heading out this way. I need to pick up a couple parts, and we can use it as a report back to your dad.” He beams at me.
“Deal,” I answer and ignore the pain in my uterus to start packing.
30
LETICIA
ROBOT VACUUM WAR?
“Okay, I’m apologizing in advance.”Royal winces as he looks back at me. He holds the door to the house partially open behind him.
“Apologize for what?” I squint at him and lean, trying to see past him into the house.
“My parents.” He scrubs a hand down his face and pushes the door open. “Mom, Dad, I’m home. I brought Leticia D’Medici, please don’t be weird.”
“No! Go back! Dammit, turn around!” a feminine voice calls from deeper in the house.
Royal takes my coat and hangs it on a hook by the door next to his and then continues into the house. His shoes are still on, so I leave my booties on and follow him from where we came in through the garage.
I stop walking, but Royal doesn’t.
“Get ’em! That’s it, you’ve got her on the run!” a masculine voice responds.
Down a small hallway, we’re in the central part of the home. It’s chaos. The kitchen to the left has a blue couch pushed up against the opening, blocking both the hallway and an entry into a living room. Brown living room recliner-type chairs are tucked in at the kitchen table, and there are end tables in the kitchen itself.
What on earth?As we get closer, I hear the whirr of at least one vacuum cleaner as it rolls across a hard surface floor.
Royal steps over the sofa, where it blocks the path, and looks into the living room. “So much for not being weird.”
Trying to be respectful, I lean forward but can’t see beyond the couch and around the wall. I kneel on the sofa’s arm, keeping my booties off the upholstery, and finally get a view.
Betty and Ian Cavanagh are standing on the raised fireplace hearth, and two robot vacuum cleaners, modified with big knives and three balloons attached to each, are driving around the living room.
