Sianna
WHEN I GOT BACK, Idid a sweep of the house. The kids weren’t around. It gave me a little reprieve and calmed me down in enough not to squeeze their tiny little necks. It had taken Ruvash three scrubs, a mask, and pampering lotion to get me looking normal again.
Dropping into a comfy couch in the entertainment room, I chewed the inside of my cheek, wondering about their visitor's identity. He looked familiar. Maybe he’d come by the restaurant before. Then again, with that face, there was no way I wouldn’t have noticed his clear green eyes or golden-brown hair that skirted the line between charm and arrogance. His good looks weren’t easily forgettable.
“All pretty again?”
I looked up and smiled. Adam walked in with a tea tray. “Thank you.”
“You left without any breakfast.” He set the tray down on the coffee table. “I’m sorry about the whole blue thing, Miss. Nicky is a bit of a handful at times.”
I waved aside his apology with a shrug. “I guess we’re all mischief at that age. Where are the kids?”
“Master Rayden took them out for a visit to the park.”
“Is he family,” I asked as Adam poured the tea.
“He’s Master Trent’s cousin. Their fathers are brothers.”
“Oh.” I frowned. Trent had never mentioned his father’s family before. Then again, it wasn’t like we’d shared much about our personal lives. “Does he live around here?” I asked, my tone lined with caution over questioning the butler.
He smiled. “No. He’s from Granger Valley, but he’s been in Africa for the last two years, working at a game reserve. I believe he just got back.”
That would account for his tan—a man who loved wild animals. I grinned at the thought of whether he was a beast in the sack. After I downed the tea, I took a walk. The house’s backdoor opened out into manicured lawns that gave way to soft mushy sand, and a blue-green seascape now blanketed in the gentle rays of the afternoon sun. I hadn’t been to the beach in ages and lengthened my stroll. When I finally returned, dusk was settling over the house.
“Did you have a good walk, Miss?” Adam asked as I stepped through the door leading into the kitchen.
“Yes, thank you. Are the children back?”
“Yes. Master Rayden is working in the study, and the children are in their rooms. Dinner should be another hour,” he said, turning to look at the cook—a shy woman I’d met the previous evening. She nodded to confirm his time.
“Thank you. Gives me time to take a shower.”
Deciding to check in on the kids after my bath, I headed for my room. I unlocked the door, and as it swung inward, I stepped inside. I gasped, my entire body freezing at the same time a shrill cry ripped from my chest, “what the—” With my eyes scrunched shut, I stood there shaking. Lips pursed, spitting God knows what, I opened my eyes. For just a moment, I stood there too confused to move, unsure what shocked me more. The cold, slimy water drenching me or the fact that I’d fallen victim to yet another one of Nicky’s scams. My fists clenched and unclenched in time to my erratic heartbeat as it fought to keep pace with my heavy breathing. I glanced up, wondering how the hell he’d managed to get a bucket of water above the door and rigged it to fall when I opened the door.
Snorting air through flared nostrils, I walked to the bed and sat down, not caring if I ruined the bedding or the carpet with the icky water dripping from my body. I sniffed the air. “Gross.” Not only was I soaked, but I also stank, of what, only God knew. I wrinkled my nose against the offending odor. Pulling my mobile out of my pocket, I rolled through my contacts until Trent’s number popped up. I’d had enough. I hit the green icon with enough force to damage the soft button.
While I waited for the call to connect, I glanced around. Then out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement under the embroidered quilt. Did I imagine it? Disconnecting the call, I stood, eyeing the bed. “Oh, fuck.” Several bumps appeared in the pristine flatness. They began to move. I jumped. “What the hell?” Slowly, I pulled back the corner of the quilt. “Oh, hell, no!” I let out a loud squeal of alarm.
Frogs!
“Oh, God, no.” I cringed. I hated frogs. “Dammit, Nicky.” An icky shiver dance raced through me. Snakes and spiders I could stand but roaches and frogs. “No. Just no,” I screamed. My body tingled, and I did the whole squeamish jiggle. “Yuck.” I watched them move. One, in particular, seemed to stare at me. Before I could react, it leaped in my direction. “No!” I let out a loud howl and ran. Blinded by panic, I shot out the door, not caring where I went. Anywhere was better than there.
