I looked up and waved aside the plate of scrambled eggs the housekeeper held out to me. Helen was a regular the family used to help with the clean-up and breakfast prep during the holiday period. “Just a slice of toast, please, Helen.”
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, dear. Coffee and toast aren’t going to fill up your pretty little body,” she advised, her tone motherly.
I gave her a small smile. “I’m not very hungry.”
“That makes two of you this morning.” At my puzzled look, she added, “Mr. Princeton. He hardly ate anything besides coffee then left. Maybe it’s my cooking.” She chuckled.
That little disclosure roiled my insides. Had my presence robbed the man of time with his family or his appetite for that matter. Sipping my coffee, I wondered if I’d made the right decision agreeing to stay. Granted, Rayden wanted to spend time with his family, I didn’t need to be there. If I left, not only would it upset him, but I might cause undue tension.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” the biting words snapped my head up.
My mouth fell open as I gaped at the woman standing in front of me.You have got to be kidding me.Eyes narrowed, assessing me, her lips thinned into a devious sneer, the woman from my interview at Princeton glared at me. “W-what are you doing here?” Then it hit me. “Oh, my God, you’re Rayden’s mother?” instead of a firm question, it squeaked out.
Not even her stunning cashmere coat that complimented her short bob could make the woman look any less hostile. She folded her arms across her chest, one perfectly shaped brow arched up. Judging by that scowl, she wasn’t impressed with my appearance. I had no idea why the woman took an instant dislike to me. At the interview, I figured she was pissed off with my lack of professionalism and accepted maybe she was right. Now, not so much. There was more to her hatred than plain indifference for a potential candidate.
“So, has Rayden brought home a sweet little tart as a birthday present for his father? What a good little boy. He probably sampled the treat, though, didn’t he?” she scoffed.
“Excuse me?” Was the woman off her rocker? Rayden had warned me his mother was a piece of work, but it hadn’t prepared me for the shitty kind.
“Angela!”
She jumped at the sudden bark. My gaze snapped to the entrance. Drake stood there. Molten fury turned his eyes into metallic flint. Even with the distance between us, I could feel his anger hiss through the air, like cold water to hot coals. He approached Angela, his steps slow yet didn’t disguise the controlled annoyance enhanced by the stiff set of his shoulders.
When he stopped an inch from her, he flicked a glance at me before glaring at his wife. “As long as Sianna is a guest inmyhome, you will respect her,” he snarled, daring her to argue.
I didn’t miss the emphasis on the word ‘my.’ Was the woman no longer staying with him? I hadn’t bothered asking Rayden about his parent’s relationship. It wasn’t necessary since it had no bearing on me. Boy, was I wrong? Talk about a double whammy.
Angela huffed, her red lips pursed together in a fierce pout. “Or what?” She wasn’t intimidated by Drake.
“Trust me. You don’t want to find out,” his words were quiet, but there was no mistaking the threat. I’d seen it before, back at the bar. I wouldn’t want to mess with him.
“I-I” Judging by her hesitant response, neither did Angela.
“If there’s a reason you’re here, get it done and leave. I’m sure your family’s waiting.”
“But.” She paused. “I thought I’d spend time with the kids.”
“I don’t think so,” he warned.
“Drake, please.”
“I don’t think so,” he repeated in a firm voice that left no room for further questioning. That was my cue. Whatever their discussion entailed, I didn’t want to stick around. I got up to go, and as I turned away, he stopped me. “Stay, Sia.”
The husky familiarity of my name froze my step for just a moment. I was afraid to turn around—I feared the expressions I’d read in both their faces. I took a deep breath. Glancing over my shoulder, I shook my head then hesitated. Was that an open plea in his eyes? My heart pounded in my chest, crashing into my breastbone, and quickened my breathing. “It’s okay.” I walked out before he could stop me.
In the hallway, I stopped for a moment to regulate my breathing. The problem with memories, no one could ever outrun them, and with a man like Drake, forgetting him was an impossibility. Feeling a little overwhelmed, I headed for the observatory. If I had my way, I’d be in a cab back to Brenton. Within minutes, calmed by the beauty, I lost myself, relishing the sweet scent filling the air. I forgot all about the unexpected drama I’d landed myself into and enjoyed the serenity.
