Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
“WAKE ME UP” BY TOMMEE PROFITT, FLEURIE
LUNA
Of fucking course it’s raining, though my inner witch tells me it’s because I’m in a foul mood and the weather is sympathizing. Today is moving day, a major fucking surprise when I didn’t even know Mom was dating.
Apparently she met Richard Banks about five months ago at a charity gala that she was a waitstaff for.
Ironically, it was a cancer charity, and Richard is the owner of some big pharmaceutical company, Banks Industries, that specializes in innovative cancer treatments. My spidey senses tingled at that one.
Mom says it was a whirlwind romance, and they eloped last week, a couple of days after my diagnosis. I can’t help wondering if this is another of her sacrifices, though she does seem happy, and I think the money helps. The Banks are seriously rich, like top one percent rich.
We are heading to their McMansion in Greenwich, Connecticut. It’s one of the most expensive places to live, home to many politicians, business leaders, and professionals, of which clearly the Banks family belongs.
I’m going to stick out like a sore, diseased thumb.
I begged Mom not to tell Richard of my illness, but apparently that ship sailed before I even met him.
She did mention he had triplet sons: Blade, Thorn, and Chase.
All are two years older than me and attending Harvard, so aren’t at home during term time.
She assured me that they’re lovely because she met them briefly before they all went off on some internship in Europe or something.
They don’t know about my illness, and she promised that neither she nor Richard will tell them, thank fuck.
It’s my body, so it really should be up to me who knows.
We’re currently sitting in the back of a Rolls-Royce. Percy, our driver—I know, what the actual fuck has my life become—is navigating the busy streets and the early summer downpour.
“You’re going to love the house,” Mom gushes, practically vibrating with excitement, and heat fills my chest at the happiness written all over her face.
She’s also lost that constantly stressed look since her marriage, so I can’t be too pissed really.
“It’s incredible, Luna love. There’s a pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, plus tennis courts!
And they have a couple of vacation properties they spend some of the holidays in, which is just as beautiful. ”
I blow out a breath, forcing my lips into a smile even as my gut churns.
How the fuck am I meant to fit in here? I’ve missed so much growing up because I was fighting just to live.
I’m that awkward bitch who always says the wrong thing, so I mostly try to keep out of everyone’s way, which doesn’t always work because apparently my mouth hasn’t gotten that memo.
How am I meant to mingle with all the rich and elite members of society when I fucked up with the plebs?
“We’re here!” Mom squeals, and through the windshield, I get a glimpse of my new home.
My mouth goes dry when we pass through wrought-iron gates and a high fence that hides the mansion, and my mouth drops when it comes into view. It’s fucking enormous, all pale stone with so many windows I lose count.
We pull up outside the front steps, and two people rush down the steps with umbrellas, one opening Mom’s door and the other coming around to open mine.
“Welcome, Miss,” the gentleman says. He’s maybe in his early fifties, with slicked-back gray hair and gray bushy eyebrows, and he holds out his hand for me to take. “My name is Jerry.”
Still in shock at this entire setup, I take it, letting him help me out of the car as Percy gets my luggage from the boot. The old guy tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, holding the umbrella over both of us as he leads me towards the steps.
“Lorelei! This storm is something else, right?” a deep, masculine voice calls, and I look up to see my mom already at the top, walking into the man’s open arms. I assume this is Richard, my mystery stepdad.
His hair is a dark brown, still thick and styled back from his face.
He’s trim with a chiseled jaw, and he’s dressed in a button-up and slacks.
“Come, let’s get you inside and out of the rain. ”
With that, he tucks her under his arm and pulls her inside.
Fucking rude asshole!
What hurts more is she doesn’t even look back, just gazes up at him as she leaves me behind. My chest tightens at being abandoned so casually, but Jerry just pats my hand, and I glance away from the now empty doorway up at him.
“How about we get you settled into the house, maybe something light to eat?” he asks kindly, and I suck in my lower lip, biting back the tears that threaten to fall.
“T–that would be great, thanks,” I mumble, realizing that I didn’t even say hello or introduce myself. “And I’m Luna. Nice to meet you.”
He gives me a warm smile that goes a little way to soothing the hurt that my new stepdad and Mother’s abandonment caused.
I blink when we enter the house, the entrance is like something out of one of those posh house magazines.
I notice Mom and Richard didn’t get far, as she’s giggling while he whispers something in her ear.
“Sir, where shall we put Miss Luna?” Jerry asks, and Richard glances over, a scowl marring his handsome face.
“Oh, I forgot you were coming today.” His face clears, like he just remembered he shouldn’t be frowning at his new stepdaughter.
“Your room isn’t quite ready, so just take one of the boys’ for now.
They won’t be back for a week or two.” With that, he dismisses me, taking Mom’s hand and leading her down the huge hallway.
She glances back once, fucking once, and gives me a big smile like my new stepdad didn’t forget about my existence.
“Come on, Miss Luna, I’ll show you the way,” Jerry encourages, gently tugging my arm towards the massive staircase.
It’s a lot to take in, all the artwork and fancy wallpaper. It’s not exactly dark, though it doesn’t feel welcoming either. More of a museum, a place to showcase wealth, and my stomach churns as I’m led down another wide hallway.
“The boys are in the east wing, which is where I think your room will be too. The master is in the west wing, so plenty of space between you all,” Jerry tells me cheerily, and I take in the fact this house has wings.
Fucking wings like the Beast’s castle. At least I don’t seem to be banned from any of it, and maybe there’s a library, though I doubt it’s got the kind of books I like to read, aka smut.
“There’s also a den of sorts down here, where the boys like to unwind, and once you’re settled, I’d be happy to give you a tour. ”
“Thanks, Jerry, maybe later?” I reply, tiredness sweeping over me.
It’s been a busy day, plus the not-so-warm welcome and the fact that things feel very unsettled still, have left me feeling dead on my feet.
Especially as I don’t have my own space, even though this mansion clearly has plenty to spare.
“Absolutely. Well, here we are, option number one,” Jerry says, opening the door to the first room.
My eyes bug out of my head. Not only is it massive, but it’s ultra neat, like military neat. There is not a single messy thing, no knick-knacks on the surfaces. It’s not lacking in personality per se, but the fact that it’s so tidy screams of someone who is anal as fuck.
It’s also painted dark gray, with dark wood furniture and black accents, and although I prefer a bit more color in my life, I don’t hate it. There is an elegant masculinity about the space.
The bed is huge, made up in all black sheets with not a decorative pillow in sight, and although my nose wrinkles, I go over to do the flop test just to make sure. Also, I can’t help messing up the space just a little.
Turning with my back to the bed, I allow myself to fall and bounce almost right back up.
“Ow!” I yelp, the mattress clearly high-quality memory foam but firm as fuck. A delicious, smokey vanilla wafts up around me, and I take a deep inhale of the scent, my mouth watering as I imagine marshmallows roasted over a fire. “Absolutely not this one. It’s too hard.”
That’s what she said…
I snigger at my own joke, then freeze as Jerry looks at me with a quizzical look. Shit. Didn’t last ten minutes before fucking up.
“Next option?” I suggest, trying to cover my awkwardness.
“Of course, Miss. If you’ll follow me?” Jerry says, and I glance at the once pristine bed, smirking down at it now that it’s all wrinkled up.
I follow him to the next room, and he opens the door, the riot of color hitting me right in the face.
“Wow,” I whisper, looking around with wonder at how many colors there are. It’s clean and tidy, yet has the feel of a chaotic personality with the number of posters taped to the walls, and the odds and sods lying around the room.
The bed is an explosion of colorful, patterned blankets and pillows, and looks perfect to snuggle in. It’s made, but has that lived-in vibe that the rest of the room also has, immediately putting me at ease.
Walking over to the bed, I repeat what I did in the last room, sinking into the soft, cloud-like mattress, the bed practically swallowing me fucking whole.
I’m engulfed in amber and dark rum, making me think of days spent on a tropical island, hiding from the world, or what I imagine a tropical island would smell like anyway.
“Help!” I yelp, my hands flailing as I do a perfect impression of a bug on its back.
A hand grasps mine and yanks, helping me out of the cloud that’s pretending to be a bed, and I huff a laugh.
“Too soft, though would be perfect for reading, so I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell Jerry, and he nods seriously, even though his brown eyes twinkle and his lips twitch like he’s holding in a smile.
“On to the final option then,” he states, leading the way out of the room and back into the hallway.
This room is next to the colorful one, all of them on one side, and when he opens the door, a calmness washes over me.
The walls are navy, and the room has charcoal and burgundy accents, lending the feel of what I imagine a high-end hotel room might look like, but there’s more of a lived in feel, like this is a place to let go and relax.
The bed is large like the others, with a few pillows and a couple of fluffy blankets that I immediately want to snuggle into.
“This is the one, Jerry. I can feel it,” I tell him as I step towards the bed, earning a chuckle from the older man. Turning just like I did with the last two, I catch his eyes. “Wish me luck.”
Then I fall backwards before he can respond, and the bed cuddles me like a hug from someone who never wants to let you go. Spicy cinnamon surrounds me, reminding me of my favorite cookies, and it takes everything not to groan aloud.
“Any good?” Jerry asks, and I blink my eyes open, not realizing I’d closed them, to find him standing over me, the skin around his eyes crinkled as if he’s holding in a laugh.
“This is just right! It’s perfect,” I gush, doing a little happy dance in the bed, because when you find a good bed, you damn well show it appreciation.
“Righto, I’ll get Percy to bring your things in here and I’ll chase up when your room might be ready.”
“Thanks, Jerry,” I reply, finally sitting up and looking at the man. “For everything, thank you.”
His cheeks flush a little. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll let you get settled in and maybe instruct the chef to prepare something? Any favorites?”
“Well…” I hesitate, not wanting to overstep, but now that he’s asked, my stomach gives a grumble.
“Yes?” His bushy brows raise as he encourages me.
“I’d love some French toast covered in salt, crispy smoked bacon, and maple syrup?
” I almost wince at the end. I mean, it is closer to dinner time than breakfast, but I’m a firm believer that breakfast is to be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Plus, soon the nausea will start, and so I’m determined to enjoy food while I can.
“Coming right up, Miss.” Jerry clicks his heels and gives a salute, a giggle falling from my lips, which has him beaming. “I’ll get that sorted asap.”
With that, he leaves, and I flop back into the bed, closing my eyes and trying to absorb what my life has become.
One thing is for sure.
We are certainly not in Kansas anymore.