Chapter 30 #2
She smiled wider, clearly enjoying his irritation.
“Right. You’re just terrifying in a more organized, sweet, and loving way.”
Nathaniel’s jaw twitched. It was like telling a tiger it was a cute little kitten.
“You and Savannah will be the next king and queen of the Mikhailov family,” she said with a cheerful laugh as we continued up the walkway.
I stayed a stride behind them, keeping watch for anything suspicious as I listened to their conversation.
“I think Ronan will have something to say about that.”
“We all know he doesn’t have what it takes to lead,” Kaylani countered.
“Maybe. But I don’t want to rule the family. I won’t let him turn into Father, though.
We stepped up to the entry, and Nathaniel pressed the bell. A soft chime announced our arrival.
Mr. Winterton Sr. opened the door with a smile.
“Nathaniel Mikhailov. Good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” Nathaniel said, shaking the older man’s hand. “This is my sister, Kaylani.”
“Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for letting my horse stay here for a few days,” Kaylani said, her voice as sweet as homemade apple pie.
Mr. Winterton blushed as she gushed about how nice his house was.
I followed them inside and took up my position in the corner, checking the windows and doors for anything out of place.
Dylan waltzed into the room a moment later, announcing himself as if the night called for pomp and circumstance. When he noticed me, he smirked, then sat down beside Kaylani.
He was pushing. Testing. Watching to see who would flinch first.
My teeth ground together.
“Well, don’t you two make the cutest couple,” Mrs. Winterton said as she walked in. Her expression warmed as she greeted Kaylani.
Dylan laughed and placed his hand on Kaylani’s.
Her mouth curved up, but she slid her hand out from under his. Her eyes snapped to me, then back. If he touched her again…I was going to break every bone in his body.
Food was served, and the conversation turned to business. My tension increased when Mr. Winterton’s attention shifted to Kaylani.
“Perhaps Kaylani could stay longer. Permanently. We are always looking for talented riders to represent the Winterton brand.”
They discussed her as if she were an acquisition. A horse at auction instead of a woman sitting at the table. She deserved the same respect as the men in her family. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from speaking, even though I was fuming inside.
“That is a fabulous idea, Father,” Dylan added. “I’ve been watching Kaylani, and I could see us backing her all the way to the Olympics.” He turned his sleezy smile on her. “Together, of course.”
Kaylani sat straighter. Her eyes reflected the same anger that surged through me.
Nathaniel lifted his glass of wine.
“If you want my sister to stay, then you’d best convince her.” His tone was calm, controlled. “She is a woman who makes her own decisions.”
“Oh…I’m sorry.” Mr. Winterton looked genuinely shocked. “I apologize, my dear. Would you be interested in staying on here?”
Kaylani dabbed her mouth with her napkin and set it down.
“You seem very generous, Mr. Winterton. But I enjoy competing as an independent.” She touched Nathaniel’s shoulder. “Besides, I already have the best sponsor a girl could ask for.”
Nathaniel took a slow sip of his wine and did not look at Dylan. His indifference made it clear the man’s opinion did not matter.
“I suppose, Mr. Winterton, you have your answer. My sister doesn’t compete under anyone’s name but her own.”
Mr. Winterton gave a polite, practiced nod.
“That is disappointing, but I understand wanting to make your own way. Tell me, Kaylani, where are you staying while Atlas is with us?”
“I was planning to stay in the trailer.”
I knew it was coming before Dylan opened his mouth.
“Nonsense, you can stay in our guest room. We have many.”
His eyes shifted in my direction.
Kaylani shook her head.
“Oh, I can’t impose on you any more than I already have.”
“Nonsense, we can’t have you sleeping in a trailer. That is just preposterous.” Mr. Winterton raised his arm, and a server who had been standing by the door flinched. “Girl, please see to it that the guest room is prepared.”
He turned to Kaylani.
“There it’s settled. You are a guest on our property. And you will be treated as such.”
She looked at me for a moment. I could see she didn’t want to agree, but felt boxed in. Nathaniel left it to her to decide how she wanted to handle this.
Kaylani gave him a small smile.
“How can I turn down such generosity?”
Being inside Dimitri’s house had been bad enough. But this felt worse, like we were dancing through a field of landmines in the dark.
One thing was certain. I wasn’t leaving her alone in this place.
As the night wore on, my soul ached in a way I couldn’t ever fully explain.
I wasn’t afraid of war. I wasn’t afraid of blood or even dying. Never had been.
What terrified me was how easily I had started imagining a life with Kaylani, as if the world would ever allow it.
It was as though I had been standing in the corner all along, pretending I belonged at the table.