“I am my father’s son, after all. So you’re lying to the wrong person,” he scoffed, his challenging smirk in place.
I fingered the gold cufflinks, waving aside his statement. “Are you coming?” I asked, unsure why I was evasive with the one person who could read me like a book.
Instead of an answer, he stepped down, bringing him closer to me. “Father,” he sighed. “Since I was old enough to understand relationships, I’ve watched you with women. Watched them fall from grace when you entered a room, begging for your attention. Watched you charm them with your gentle warmth. Watched you fuck them with a dominant supremacy I learned to excel at. Watched you treat and care for my mother with a sincere austerity not even a man capable of love could do so.” His lips formed a soft smile. “But I have never seen you look at a woman the way you look at Mikaela.” His observation had always been on point since a young age.
“How?”
“Like you’d die if you didn’t. Like you’d just learned how to breathe.”
He wasn’t wrong there. Still, I chose to ignore his scrutiny. “Are you coming?” I repeated.
His eyes roved over my face, his brow furrowed before he asked, “did the week away help, or are you just as confused about your feelings for her?” Once more, his perception was uncanny.
Yes, son,I wanted to say. I chose silence instead.
Saint sighed loudly. “What happened that had you leaving before the entire house was up?”
“I had an urgent meeting.”
He didn’t look convinced. “She missed you and was confused why you left without an explanation,” he was trying to coax a reason out of me that I wasn’t prepared to give just yet.
“Thank you for watching over her, son. Are you coming?”
His disappointment apparent, he slowly shook his head. “Go ahead. There’s something I need to do. I’ll join you in a few.”
I stood there a moment longer. The slightest niggle warned my son was up to something, but I shrugged it aside. “Where’s Levana?”
He tipped his chin toward the passage that led down to the ballroom. “Keeping Juliette company.”
“You mean Juliette is playing bodyguard.” I chuckled, aware he’d never leave Levana in a room filled with vultures waiting to devour her.”
“You know me well.” He grinned, fishing his phone out of his trouser pocket. “I’ll be down shortly.”
I watched him go back upstairs before making my way to the ballroom.
Chapter 39 – Mikaela
