She changes the subject and the food is brought in. We talk about my new life in England and she tells me all about her travels. She is very tight lipped about what she does here in Australia, even though she knows I have some idea. I’m grateful she doesn’t push for any information about The Order, and I respect that by not digging about what she does. Two hours pass before Smalls waltzes back in, freshly showered and mostly sans glitter, though there are still random spots I can see shimmering and twinkling under the lights.
“Aadi called, we have to head back and play happy families now.”
“We are a happy family, Smalls.”
He smiles but doesn’t reply.
After we say our goodbyes, my grandmother makes me promise to come and visit her again before I leave and to bring Kalen with me. I’m not so sure about that. Kalen in this big expensive house would be bad enough, but Kalen with taboo topics we’re not meant to speak about? Downright dangerous if you ask me.
Smalls and I ride back to our house in comfortable silence. I’m grateful we made up; I hate when we fight. We will get past this stage, especially if I help him find a girl. Come to think of it, Katie was giving him some serious love eyes at the funeral. This might be something I need Kalen’s help with. I’m terrible at the whole romance thing but he, while over the top, seems to understand it. I smile to myself as we drive, plans slowly beginning to take shape in my mind.
Amelie
I just found out something very interesting...
Baxter
So what if my middle names are Baudelaire Bojangles?! Get over it.
Amelie
OMFG!!! WTF?! Seriously?! That is hilarious! Really?! You’re not winding me up?!
Baxter
Wait, what? That isn’t what you know?
Amelie
We need to talk about that later, but it’s not what I know...
Baxter
See, this is why I don’t do feelings OR friendships! I was caught up in a girl and gave away my secret.
Amelie
Girl? Like an actual living breathing honest to god real life girl that you’re interested in? Now THIS we need to talk about!!! However, I thought you might want to know that I just met my grandmother.
Baxter
I’ll call you from a secure line.
Chapter Sixteen
Baxter
I spoke to Camilla while I waited for Amelie’s burner phone to be delivered. She assured me it was a family catch up and not related to business, but I don’t entirely trust the woman. She’s lethal and ruthless. She gushed about how perfect Amelie is to take over The Order and how she may actually consider doing business with her. That just makes me more suspicious. She never truly got over being barred from joining The Order herself, so I don’t buy her joy at Amelie’s promotion. Sure, she’s worked hard to keep tabs on Amelie for her ‘safety’ but what better way to infiltrate and control The Order through her familial connection to its new, young and impressionable leader.
There’s no denying Amelie has mother issues – hell, who doesn’t – and I don’t really blame her for being desperate for love after everyone she’s ever trusted has lied to her for her entire life. But finding out that Laura isn’t her mum and suddenly discovering a new family with both the Kesslers and Camilla is bound to confuse and screw with the girl. I don’t trustCamilla not to manipulate Amelie, and as intelligent as Amelie is, she’s too emotional not to fall for it until it’s too late.
I protect her because Camilla is paying me to, but the overwhelmingneedto protect her comes from somewhere else. I think I have to shield her from her family too, and unfortunately I think the best way to do thatisto have her join and take over The Order, but for me to stay in it too.
Actively.
Which fucking sucks.
It took me a few hours to find a burner phone and have it delivered to Amelie, but once I had word she received it, I headed as far away from prying eyes as I could. This island is huge so I had no problem finding a quiet spot to call her.
