CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
I opened the front door, a gentle smile gracing my lips. “Come in, Mother.”
The edges of her eyes crinkled with worry as she searched the empty foyer behind me for monsters. When Mother found none in sight, she hissed, “I’m getting you out of here. Come on.”
I inhaled, and stated calmly, “Come inside, Mother. It’s not as bad as you think.”
Mother’s eyes glared into mine, and penetrated, searching for the reason for my ‘madness.’ She growled, “Is that creature drugging you?”
Mr. Mason popped his head around the corner to my right, calling out, “Hey, beautiful. Finn wants you to order pizza when you’re done with your visit. The meeting’s going to take a while longer than expected.”
He wasn’t coming any closer, though.
Staying far away from the ‘upset mother.’
I chuckled. “I can’t believe he sent you out here.”
“He’s evil like that.” He glanced at my mother’s frozen frame outside the doorway, then back to me. A mischievous glint entered his eyes. “Kind of like acreaturefrom Hell.”
I sighed, both amused and irritated. “Tell him I’ll order the pizza. But how many should I get?”
His black head of hair teetered in thought. “Maybe fifteen?”
“There’s only eight of you back there!” I exclaimed. Along with the five corporate kings, Poppy and Theron had shown up too. Then Cassander had strolled in as if he hadn’t been nuclear this morning. “Isn’t that a little extreme?”
His black brows wiggled suggestively. “The creatures must be fed!” Then he disappeared around the corner, but his devious laughter could be heard as he walked away.
I shook my head in exasperation, still staring where he had been standing. I muttered under my breath, “That did not help at all.”
My patience was wearing thin when I turned to face my mother, but I understood her dismay. I had been in her place only a few days before. Except, I stopped to stare at her features, surprise and humor running amok in my head.
I stated, “Mother, you are a married woman.”
She jerked her attention back to me, turning from where she had gawked after Mr. Rune Mason—New City’s playboy. She lifted her chin. “I have no idea why you felt the need to remind me.”
I pointed at her chin. “You’ve got a little drool there.”
She didn’t, but it was still fun to tease.
Mother shook her head. “Not funny, Mina.”
Then she stared. Her lips twitched.
I opened the door wider. “Are you coming in now?”
“Tell me this first. Why are you staying here?”
To make sure you and Father are safe.
And, perhaps, because I want to.
“I enjoy Finn’s company. We get along surprisingly well. And I know what you’re thinking, but he isn’t evil. He’s a good man…that just happens to wear a fur coat every once in a while.” I snorted, remembering his words. “A fur coat that he is particularly proud about.”
“Youlikehim,” Mother said, her awe of the truth washing over her face. “Are you falling for that creature?”
“Quit calling him that,” I snapped.
Mother’s eyes narrowed.
