A few seconds later, he walks into the kitchen, a phone pressed to his ear. He’s dressed for work in a tailored charcoal suit despite it being Saturday. His gaze lands on me briefly before shifting away.
“I’ll call you back.” He ends his call and looks at Lillianna and me. “Good, you’re here.”
“Glad you noticed.” I press my lips together. Yes, I should act like I don’t care, but I don’t like being ghosted. It’s rude.
He only arches a brow and says, “Bluegrass Buzzhas noticed you and Madison staying here.”
“How?” I ask. Even after Catherine learned of us staying here, Madison and I haven’t left the estate much.
“Oh, shit,” Lillianna sets down her coffee. “What garbage are those vultures spinning now?”
“That I have a secret family.”
I laugh, and so does his sister. “They are always almost right, but never all the way. Have you called Robert?” Lillianna asks.
“Who’s that?” I ask.
“Blackstone’s PR director,” she tells me.
“No,” he says, voice clipped. “I’ve set up an interview withThe Kentucky Chronicle. Tomorrow.”
Lillianna nearly chokes. “You? Mr. Media Blackstone Blackout?”
“Fastest way to kill the rumor.” He reaches for a mug, his movements controlled but tense.
“Does Sebastian know?”
“Not yet.”
Lillianna’s eyes narrow. “This affects all of us, Thorne. You can’t just—”
“I’m handling it.” He points at himself. “The rumor is about me.”
“A Blackstone rumor is never just about one of us,” she counters. “Especially when it’s you. The brother everyone’s been trying to get dirt on for years.”
“I’m head of acquisitions, not a celebrity.”
“Don’t be dense. You’re a Blackstone and the most controversial one of us.”
“Um. No, that would be you.” There’s a flicker of vulnerability beneath his words, quickly masked with a half-smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’re the Blackstone black sheep, who turned her back on the family business.”
“Don’t take that tone with me. You know I couldn’t stay. Not after what happened with Oliver and me. I needed a fresh start.”
Her fingers absently trace the thin gold bracelet on her wrist. The one I’ve noticed she never removes. She must catch my curious glance and offers a small, sad smile. “Sometimes you keep reminders of your biggest mistakes.” She turns back to her brother. “Not everyone can compartmentalize like you, Thorne. Some of us actually feel things.”
“Feelings are overrated,” he tosses back. Then he runs a hand through his dark hair. “And I’ve never blamed you for leaving. I just missed having you around.”
I take in the loaded glances and what's not being said. There’s history there, separate from Thorne and his brother.But it must be equally complicated, messy, and clearly painful. They’re navigating land mines while I’m standing here without a map. I’m watching a conversation in a language I only partially understand, where the most important words are the ones they aren’t saying.
Lillianna waves a hand. “And like I said, I left, givingBluegrass Buzznothing to talk about. But you, my brother, have given them plenty.”
“Good thing I’m talking, controlling the narrative. I’ve already toldThe Kentucky Chroniclethey can ask about the current rumors, nothing else.”
Lillianna stands. “I’m going to call Sebastian. We should at least warn him.”
“Fine,” Thorne relents. “Let’s take it to my office. The one upstairs, away from the staff. Get Madison. I think she’s in the library.” He looks at me. “You too. This interview is going to affect you and her.”
My heart drops, even as my blood races. I fold my arms across my chest, fingers digging into my skin. Thorne’s eyes slide past me like I'm furniture. The move makes me want to shake him, but what he said is more important. My name splashed across headlines. I swallow hard, picturing my managing partner's face when he sees a Blackstone scandal with his associate front and center. That’s not the press he’d welcome.
