Rome wasn’t built in a day, but last night provided a pretty good foundation to work with.
‘Good morning.’ Victoria stirs as my teeth nip at her earlobe. The summer sun beats through the open window, straight onto the light cotton blankets strewn across us. It’s another glorious day.
‘For a second there, when the helicopter passed overhead, I thought we were in Huxley Castle.’ Helicopters coming and going are a daily occurrence there.
‘Oh God, don’t,’ she moans into her pillow. ‘We’d never get away with alfresco fun over there.’
‘Doctor Sexton, am I to believe you’re looking for a repeat of yesterday?’
‘You’d better believe it.’ She rolls round to face me, devilment dancing in those gigantic eyes. The highlights streaking her thick chestnut hair are brighter from the few days soaking in the sunshine. Dad was right. She’s a beauty.
‘I’m so glad Harrison outed us to the world and started his own personal witch-hunt because otherwise we’d never have come here. I never thought I’d see the day, but I actually might shake his hand if I ever see him again.’ My fingers trace the perfect outline of her lips.
‘You’ll see him at my graduation. If Sasha and Ryan’s PR team sort everything out before then,’ she groans.
‘Any word from them?’ I don’t recall the house phone ringing last night. Even a dodgy network can’t keep Sasha from checking in on her baby sister.
An engine thrums in the distance, purring closer and closer with each second.
The bedroom door bursts open. Roger appears wearing only a pair of once white Y-fronts, clutching the shotgun over his protruding belly. ‘Are you two expecting company?’
‘No.’ Victoria pulls the covers higher over herself.
‘Well, we’ve got some.’ Roger tosses me the gun and makes a quick exit. Presumably to get another one.
‘Wait.’ Victoria leaps out of bed, scratching around for yesterday’s discarded clothing. ‘The helicopter. Do you think it could be Sasha and Ryan?’
Sounds like something they’d do - just arrive without announcing it. Knowing Sasha, she probably can’t rest until she’s seen Victoria with her own eyes.
And as sure as God, the helicopter lands on the flattest field at Hope Farm.
Two minutes later, I’m forced to face another demon. A raven-haired rock star who’s ready to pummel me to death.
‘Archie Mason, get your fucking ass down here right now. You’ve got some explaining to do.’ Ryan’s voice reverberates through the open window, followed by the unmistakable sound of Sasha Sexton’s tinkling laugh.
Victoria arches her eyebrows at me and shakes her head. ‘There was me thinking my father died years ago.’
Victoria and I tear down the stairs in time to see Andie almost faint at the front door. I suppose it’s not every day the world’s hottest rock star lands on your doorstep.
Ryan’s black eyes glare at me. ‘We’ve just about cleaned up your mess.’ He folds his arms across his broad chest, his jaw clenched so tightly it might break.
My eyes avert to the ground. ‘Sorry, boss.’
Sasha pushes past her husband into the hallway, searching eyes seeking out her sister. ‘Vic! Are you okay?’
Satisfied she’s in one piece, she yanks her into a huge embrace before turning to me. ‘Archie Mason, you’d better look after my baby sister like she’s the most precious thing in this entire world.’ Her voice is stern as her index finger points at my chest, but a smile plays on her pink lips.
‘She is the most precious thing inMYentire world. I promise I’ll take care of her. We were going to tell you, I promise. We wanted to get home first.’
Home. Do I still even have one?
‘You’re coming home?’ Sasha squeals in excitement.
‘For the summer, anyway.’ Victoria sets her straight before she starts planning our wedding. Though I wouldn’t be averse to it.
I step outside to face Ryan, man to man. ‘I’m sorry, Ry. I broke your trust. It’ll never happen again.’
‘You’re damn right it won’t.’ His stance is rigid. Unforgiving.
