Even though I wentthrough the motions of my usual morning rituals, I couldn’t shake the feeling of foreboding that had settled over me since opening my eyes. I tried to ignore it as best as I could but when five o’clock finally dragged by, I was no less comforted than I was this morning.
Several calls to Dean had gone unanswered. While I didn’t blame his response to my actions, I hoped he’d come around, eventually. If not for me, then for Levana’s sake. Having one parent who practically shunned you all your life was enough to contend with, without having the same from both parents.
“You’re distracted, Seb. Everything okay?”
I glanced up from my drink, smiling at my cousin. Rhett was in town on business again, and we’d just met for a drink. “All good.”
“You don’t look it. Homesick, old chap?” He chuckled, earning my scowl. “You want to talk about it?” he pushed.
Downing my drink, I set the glass on the table between us. “Dean found out about Levana and me. Happy isn’t a word in his dictionary right now and I fear the repercussions might have a dire effect on Levana when she returns. The saddest fucking part is I don’t know what to do. I don’t beg but I don’t want to lose Levana either.” Dragging both hands through my hair, I cupped my linked fingers behind my head and leaned back, staring at my cousin.
“Stalemate?” he grunted, waving down a waiter.
“Jesus, Rhett, I’m usually the most ‘put together’ man in my family. How could I ignore the fact that she’s just seventeen? Ignore that she was my student when I fucked her. Ignore that she’s my friend’s daughter. I’m usually the one who sees the red flags well before they fly. Why the fuck did I not stay away, ignore the warnings. Am I that fucking weak?” Grabbing the whiskey the waiter set down in front of me, I downed it in one go. “Bring us the bottle,” I snapped, and the woman startled. “I’m sorry,” I sighed.
“Bad day,” she asked, offering me a flirty smile. When I didn’t answer, she nodded, “I’ll bring you that bottle.”
Rhett stared at her tight jeans clad arse until she disappeared behind the bar and when his gaze came back to me, I shook my head. “What?” he grinned.
“You have a girlfriend, or did you forget?”
“My cock’s taken, cousin, not my fucking eyesight.” He shrugged. “And anyway, she’s not exactly my girlfriend. Just pleasurable holes to fulfil my every need until I grow tired.”
“A man who denies the inevitable by being so crass usually means he’s fucked, and I don’t mean that in the pleasurable sense,” I scoffed as the waitress returned, set the bottle of whiskey on our table and walked away.
Chuckling, Rhett refilled my glass and held up his. “To women. The only creatures powerful enough to bring a man to his knees without touching his balls.” He clinked his glass against mine.
An hour later, I walked into my apartment, my head spinning from too many whiskeys. I was in the kitchen downing a bottle of water when the intercom buzzed. Frowning, I tossed the empty into the recycling bin, grabbed another and went to answer the phone.
“Yes?”
“Good evening, Mr Sinclair, we have a Mrs Sandra Singh at reception for you.”
What the fuck was she doing here? Curious, I replied. “Send her up.”
When I opened the door a few minutes later, my head was in no place for a conversation with Sandra. The woman was a handful just by looks alone. She stepped out of the lift smiling like she’d won the goddamned lottery.
“To what do I owe this pleasure,” I scoffed, making no move to invite her into my apartment.
“Come now, Saint, that’s no way to treat an old friend,” she purred setting my teeth on edge.
Did the woman actually think she was seductive? Knowing what I knew about her, I found her extraordinarily boring and overcompensating for something she lacked—a heart.
“It’s late, and I’ve got a busy day tomorrow. What do you want, Sandra?” I didn’t mince my words, the disinterest was laid out plain and simple.
Sighing, her too bright smile slipped into a derisive pout. “If you must be so rude then I’ll just come out and say, I know about you and Levana.”
I don’t think I’d ever sobered up that quickly, my heart plummeting through the forty stories below my apartment. Dean knowing was one thing, but Sandra was a different ball game. “What the fuck are you talking about?” My recovery was far quicker than even I had anticipated.
“Look, whatever you’re doing with my daughter, is technically your business but I think we need to talk. You know, about what she does behind your back that might hurt the both of you.”
Whether my irrationality to make sense was due to the whiskey or her bait, got me interested. I opened the door wider for her to enter and followed her after I closed it.
“Beautiful place you have here, Saint.” Not bothering with pleasantries, I gestured to the living room. “Care to join me for a drink,” she asked, producing a bottle of red wine from her handbag.
“I’m good thanks.” I indicated the bottled water I carried before setting it down on the coffee table.
Her eyes darkening briefly, she tried to hide her quick anger with a fake smile. “Would you mind opening it and pouring me a glass then. Please. It’s been a long day.”
