When I glance over a couple of minutes later, I know that Hattie told Ari about her experience in the fire yesterday because she’s hugging Hattie. I hear Ari say, “You poor thing. That must have been so frightening.”
I crack another egg into the bowl and return the shell to the carton. “You never mentioned how you knew about the fire,” I call out to her.
Ari’s head snaps in my direction. At least she looks guilty. “You own the club, of course I heard.”
“Hmm.” I leave it there, but we both know that I now realize she’s keeping tabs on me—courtesy of her billionaire husband and his connections, I’m sure.
Though I can’t complain too much about his connections. I have a feeling I’m going to need to use one myself. I’m waiting for the official word that the fire was caused by arson before I act. Because if it was set intentionally, I don’t need to be a psychic to know that Sean is involved.
I finish making breakfast while the women chat, and Ari joins us at the breakfast bar while Hattie and I eat. She pretty much carries the conversation, telling Hattie about her twins and Sid and his brothers and the mansion they live in. How I need to bring Hattie there to visit because she’d love it.
When we’re done, Hattie sets her napkin down beside the plate and shuffles out of her chair. “I’m going to go shower. It was really great meeting you, Ariana.”
I’m not surprised Hattie uses an excuse to give Ari and me time to chat by ourselves.
My sister smiles at her. “You too. I hope I can convince you to join Bast out at Midnight Manor sometime soon.”
Hattie glances at me as though she’s not sure how she should answer. How I want her to answer.
“That sounds wonderful. I want her to meet the twins,” I say.
The corners of Hattie’s lips lift before she turns and leaves the room.
Ari watches her go before her head whips around and she narrows her eyes at me. “You’ve been holding out on me, brother.”
She has no idea.
I take Hattie’s and my plates over to the sink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Yeah right. She’s a little young for you, though, isn’t she?”
“Are you, of all people, serious?” She and Obsidian have a ten-year age gap. Ours is thirteen, barely any different. Ari grins, and I can see now that she was baiting me. “Fuck off.”
“She’s really lovely, Bast. I like her.”
“Wonderful, now that she has your seal of approval, my life is officially full.”
She joins me at the sink and places her hand on my back. “I’m serious, I’m happy for you. I’ve always wanted you to have someone special to share your life with.”
I sigh and turn off the faucet, then open the dishwasher. “It’s complicated.”
“What’s complicated?” Her tone suggests she might know that I probably, most likely, have fucked up this whole thing. “You clearly care about each other. The way Hattie tells it, you risked your life and ran into a burning building to save her.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know.” I glance toward the hallway to make sure Hattie’s not around.
“Then fill me in.”
Blowing out a breath, I load the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and close the door, then lean against the counter. “Let’s head into the living area.”
Ari follows me, and once we’re comfortable, I tell her all of it, including the part about how our dad kept the fact that Carla came looking for me a secret. By the time I’m done, her eyes are sad, her smile is gone, and she looks as if she’s six and woke up to see her tooth still under her pillow.
“You must be angry with him.”
“Fuck yeah, but… he raised me. It’s hard to stay angry when he’s the one who gave me shelter, food, and…” I can’t say it, but in his own way, Trent showed me love. Sure, he taught me his lifestyle, his career, and it wasn’t on the up and up, but he could have left me to fend for myself.
She takes my hand. “I’m sure he only did it because he thought he was protecting you.”
I nod, knowing she’s right. “Yeah, but it’s hard not to play the what-if game, you know?”
