Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
GRACE
“Welcome to Oakleigh.” Christian’s open stance and friendly smile greets my brother at the front door. “Come on in. Nice to see you again, Juliet.”
Arron and Juliet step inside the house. Arron’s mouth gapes as he gazes around the opulent entranceway.
“Wow,” is all he manages to say.
“I know.” I wrap my arms around him and give him a hug. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Juliet links her arm through mine. “Right? Remember how gobsmacked we were on that first visit.” She wrinkles her nose and shoots a wry smile in Christian’s direction. “Sorry. Touchy subject.”
“Not at all,” my husband says, gesturing toward the dining room, where the family gather on the first Friday of each month. “This is Grace’s home. You’re always welcome here.”
Juliet flashes me a wicked grin. “You must be a fireball in bed.”
Christian chuckles.
I dig Juliet sharply in the ribs. “Stop it. Oh, my God. I can’t believe you said that right in front of my brother.”
Juliet laughs. “It’s a fair point. I mean, after all that lying and cheating, I’d have thought he’d make you grovel for at least a couple more weeks.”
“We’ve both made mistakes.” Christian slides an arm around my waist and draws me closer to his side. “And yes, she is a fireball.”
I groan. “Kill me now.”
“Don’t worry about it, Gracie,” Arron says. “I’m pretty good at selective hearing. With Juliet, it comes in handy.”
“Ohhh, mister, you will regret that.”
Arron winks at me, then returns his attention to Juliet. “I can handle you.”
She sniffs. “We’ll see.”
They share a look, and my curiosity meter shoots up to one hundred. “Hang on a second. Am I missing something here?”
Arron cheeks tinge with pink.
Juliet groans. “You couldn’t be cool, could you? I told you tonight wasn’t the right time.”
My mouth drops open. I glance from him to her and back to him again. “Are you telling me you’re an item?”
Arron shuffles his feet. “Um… kinda.”
“Excuse me?” Juliet glares at him. “Kinda? Carry on like that, and this will be the shortest relationship in history. I want fawning, I want romance, I want you on your knees like a good fucking boy.”
“Would you like some privacy?” Christian’s eyes twinkle. “We have over seven hundred rooms for you to choose from.”
“Stop encouraging them.” I shake my head, but I’m smiling, too.
“So, you’re okay with it?” Juliet asks. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her less than supremely confident.
“We kind of got closer after you… went to Mexico. It was hard for both of us, worrying about you, wondering whether you were okay. I guess we turned to each other for support, and one thing led to another.”
“Okay? I’m thrilled.” I free myself from Christian and fling my arms around her. “My best friend and my brother is only the outcome of dreams. Although, I have to say, I think he’s getting the better end of the deal.”
“Hey,” Arron protests. “You’re my sister. Blood comes first.”
“You’re still a mister,” Juliet says. “Sisters before misters, even if they’re not blood related.”
I giggle, feeling freer from the weight of grief and remorse than I have in a long time.
Despite the hour-long conversation Arron and I had following my return to Oakleigh, I was afraid this meeting would feel uncomfortable, but this unexpected news has helped smooth away any awkwardness there might have been.
Arron was as stunned as I was to discover the truth behind our parents’ deaths, not to mention Christian’s generosity in paying off their debts.
If only we’d known then what we know now…
but constant recriminations or blaming ourselves for our single-minded and ill-advised drive for revenge won’t do either of us any good.
Christian’s forgiven me for what I did, and I’ve forgiven him for hiding the truth that would’ve avoided all this heartache. Besides, if he hadn’t, I’m certain we wouldn’t be married.
As for Daniel, Arron and I decided to ask Christian to let him go, and that’s what he did.
I had fears he might come for Arron or for us, but according to Christian, Patrick Mahoney put the fear of God into him.
It’s been over a week now since he was released, and neither of us have heard a peep out of him.
If he has any sense, he’ll make sure it stays that way.
Christian’s family welcome Arron and Juliet with open arms, just as they did with me when I sat down with them and explained why I did what I did.
Even Alexander has accepted me as a member of the family due, I’m sure, in no small part to Imogen.
As for her and for Victoria, and Saskia, too I’ve not only gained three sisters-in-law, but three more best friends.
While I still miss my parents desperately, knowing they weren’t saints has helped me to manage the agonizing grief of their untimely passing.
I think both Arron and I, with Daniel’s disturbed encouragement, had put them on a pedestal no one could live up to.
I don’t agree with what they did, but none of us are perfect.
I hope that wherever they are, they’re looking down on us with pride.
Charles leans back in his chair as the last of the dessert plates are cleared away, and his keen gaze shifts to my brother. “Not many people pull the wool over my eyes, young man, but somehow you managed it.”
I freeze, and Arron’s flared eyes are reminiscent of a rabbit frozen in the middle of the road as a truck hurtles toward it. I had not expected this turn of events. My brother seeks me out, but I have no reassurance to offer him.
“Um, thanks?”
Charles lets out a hearty laugh. “You’ve got skills, that’s for sure.
The kind of skills my organization doesn’t allow to simply walk away.
” He gets up from his seat and makes his way to Arron’s chair.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, he passes him a business card.
“This is family time, not business time, but on Monday, you call me.”
“Are… are you offering me a job, sir?”
“I am, and I fight hard for what I want, so whoever you’re working for, tell them not to bother counteroffering. They’re destined to lose.”
“Oh, my God,” Juliet whispers while I look at Christian who shrugs. He didn’t know his father planned to do this, either.
“Thank you, sir,” Arron says. “I will.” He safely tucks the card in his pocket and gives me a “What the fuck?” look.
After coffee, I walk my brother and Juliet to the door. Once we’re out of earshot of the De Vils, Arron takes out the business card and stares at it. “You think he really wants me to call?”
I laugh. “Yes, I think he really means it. Charles wouldn’t give his number out to anyone. This could be an amazing opportunity for you, Arron. I’m so excited for you.”
I hug and kiss them both and promise we’ll see each other again soon.
When I turn around, Christian is lounging against the post at the bottom of the staircase. He’s got this expression on his face, a hunger that pulls the knots of desire tight in my stomach.
“You look… famished.”
His languished smile forms slowly, his gaze running over me from head to foot. He lingers on my mouth. “Starved.” Reaching out a hand, he crooks his finger. “Come here.”
I go to him, prolonging our eye contact. Standing on tiptoes, I press my lips to his. “What do you want?” I whisper.
“You. Naked. On all fours.” He runs his hand over my bottom. “This delicious backside in the air while I rail you from behind.”
“Come now, Christian. Don’t be shy. Say what you really think.”
He chuckles, a low rumble echoing through his chest. “Upstairs. Now.”
Spinning me around, he gently shoves me in the back.
I’m on the third stair when the first smack comes.
Giggling, I break into a sprint, my legs trembling with a combination of excitement and effort.
Christian’s laughter sounds behind me, his footsteps drawing nearer and nearer.
I make it to the second flight of stairs when he catches up to me.
Next thing I know, I’m over his shoulder, upside down.
“My turn.” I slap his right buttock. “Ooh, someone’s been doing their glute exercises. Very firm bottom, Mr. De Vil.”
He snickers. “Why, thank you, Mrs. De Vil.” Kicking open the door to our apartment, he strides straight through the sitting area and nudges open the door to the bedroom, setting me on my feet at the end of the bed.
His fingertips brush the side of my neck as he flicks my hair over my shoulder, and I shiver.
“Why did I get so lucky?” he muses, almost to himself.
I undo a button on his shirt and slide my hand inside, touching his warm skin and dusting of chest hair.
“I think we’re both lucky. To have found each other, to have come through adversity stronger and more in love than ever.
To have the strength of character and forgiveness of spirit to get past the mistakes we both made and understand and appreciate that we’re only human.
” I gaze up at him. “I have something for you.”
“I hope that whatever it is, it starts with p and ends in y.”
A giggle ripples through my chest. “Wait there.”
“Take your time,” he says as I disappear into the walk-in wardrobe. “My balls are only getting bluer.”
I return with his gift—one that began as a way to put Tobias off the scent when I was searching Christian’s office. I even had it gift wrapped since I can’t wrap for shit.
“Here.”
His eyes sparkle as he takes it from me. “What is it?”
I roll my eyes. “Seriously? Open it.”
He pulls on the ribbon and lets it fall to the floor, then opens the wrapping paper as though he’s planning to save it. He’s got more patience than me.
The paper joins the ribbon, revealing the supple leather notebook I had specially made last week, with our wedding date and initials embossed in gold.
When he says nothing, I can’t stay quiet any longer. “Do you like it?