“No way, it’s really you.” He takes a step forward, and that’s when I put my hand up and move toward the entryway with acandlestick in hand that I snagged from the buffet in the dining room. Handsome or not, I still have to protect us. Sometimes the prettiest ones are the real murderers.
“Hold on a second.” I threaten him with the candle. “Not another inch.”
The blond holds his hands up as he takes a step back. “Sorry, wasn’t trying to intrude.”
“And yet you came into my home, uninvited.”
“Oh, stop that,” Aunt Kitty says as she lowers my hand. “They were invited. We have the message to prove it. Come in, come in, why don’t you tell me how amazing you think I am.”
She loops her arm through the blond guy’s and then guides him into the living room.
Aunt Kitty!
I turn to Theo, who just shrugs and follows as well, shutting the door behind him.
What is happening?
“Can I get you a spot of tea?” Aunt Kitty asks, a faint British accent trailing her words.
“That would be lovely,” the blond replies.
“No, no, no, there will be no tea.” I move into the living room before anyone can sit down. “My friend Tilly over there has her finger on the phone, ready to dial the police. Show them, Tilly.”
Tilly slightly panics and then pulls her phone out of her pocket. “Ready to go.”
“And we have cameras all around the perimeter, recording your every move.”
We don’t, but they don’t need to know that.
Aunt Kitty glances around the room. “When did we have those installed?”
Attempting not to roll my eyes, I say, “I installed them yesterday.”
“Huh.” She nods her head, continuing to look around.
“So it’s best that you don’t mess with us, unless you want to find yourself in jail for murder, and prisons here are scary. Not sure what they’re like over there in England, but here, in Massachusetts, oh boy, will your legs shake. Some real hardened criminals—ones that will make you beg for forgiveness. You know the type; they make shivs in their sleep. So…so be careful about your next move unless you want to be sleeping next to Sean the Shiv Man.”
Theo glances at the blond and then back at me. He scratches the top of his head and says, “I’m sorry, but I’m a bit confused. You’re Renley, right?”
Ahh, an opening.
“Renley? Who’s Renley?” I ask. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Aunt Kitty chuckles. “Of course this is Renley. Sweetie, what on earth are you doing? This is Theo.”
Goddammit, Aunt Kitty.
“Remember? The guy we’re meeting today. She seems to have spent so much time getting the house all gussied up for you, and installing cameras apparently, that she’s completely forgotten her manners.”
I squeeze the bridge of my nose, wondering why I even try.
Looking uncomfortable, Theo glances around the small space and says, “Well, for what it’s worth, your house is lovely.”
Aunt Kitty presses her hand to her chest. “Oh my, your accents.” She’s twitching with delight. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, it’s great,” the blond says. “I’m Rupert, by the way, and can I just say, being in here, the house where you record a lot of your videos…” He nods his head. “It’s a real honor, Miss Kitty Katherine.”
Aunt Kitty’s cheeks actually blush. “Why thank you…Rupert.”
