Chapter 30 Master of Secrets
MASTER OF SECRETS
Vera
“Is this for me?” I stared at the beautiful teal blouse I unwrapped.
Saph nodded, eyeing the garment while tapping lightly on the coffee table.
“Aww, you shouldn’t have,” I said, admiring the gift.
“I saw it at a shop, and I thought of you,” she replied with a smile.
“I’ll wear it on my next date.”
“Are you dating again?”
“You betcha.” I grinned. “He’s back in town after an exhausting work trip in Asia.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve gotten your mojo back,” she said. “Who is he? Is it serious?”
“Time will tell.” I wanted to spill my heart out, but Saph and Julian had enough on their plate with their baby plans and her morning sickness. What was I supposed to say?
Hey Saph, I’m sleeping with Alistair Scott. You know, your worst enemy Saira Quinn’s ex-husband. The one who shares a kid with her.
Yeah, that’ll go down well like a lead balloon.
I’d tell them about Alistair eventually—when the timing wasn’t this fragile, when the boat we were all barely keeping afloat didn’t feel one push away from capsizing.
“Julian should be finished with work and joining us soon,” I said, glancing around the café for a third chair.
Saph nodded, then leaned toward the woman at the next table. “Hi, are you using this chair? If not, could I borrow it? We’ve got someone joining us.”
The woman gave her a cold stare. “This chair is taken.”
“Yeah, right, taken by her Prada bag.” My eyes narrowed at the bag on the chair. Changing the subject, I turned to Saph. “For the love of God, don’t tell Julian I’m dating again.”
“Why not?”
“He may be sweet around you, but he’s an ogre when it comes to my love life. Did he ever tell you he made his own ‘Ten Commandments of Dating’ for me when I was in high school?”
“Oh, my gosh. No way.”
“Yes way. I’m not delving into the details, but he ruined my dating life back then.”
“He cares for you, Vee. Remember Ace?”
I winced, remembering how Saph stood in the firing line, rescuing me from the abuse, and called Jules to deal with Ace. If it weren’t for Saph, I’d have more scars than the one on my ear. “Thank you,” I said, touching her hand. “You’re the sister I never had.”
“I’m glad we met.” Saph’s eyes beamed.
“Likewise.” I smiled. My eyes darted to the gluten-free jam doughnut on Saph’s plate. My kale salad tasted...well, bland.
“Do you want some? Here, try it.” Saph offered a chunk of her doughnut.
I took the piece, stuffed it in my mouth, and enjoyed the sweetness of the treat. Saph removed her scarf to adjust her blouse, revealing love bites all over her neck.
Shit, those hickeys are ugly.
I raised my eyebrows at her ravaged neck and tipped, “You’d better put your scarf back on, hon.”
“Is it bad?” Saph grimaced.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Yeah, it looks like you’ve been mauled by a beast. Tell Jules to be a little more discreet with his kisses.”
“Did I hear my name?” Julian’s deep voice asked.
“Hiya. You need to find a chair,” I said.
Julian kissed the love of his life, then glanced at the woman with the Prada bag. “Hey, is this chair taken?” he asked.
Miss Prada turned to him, eyes wide open, and immediately removed her bag from the chair. “Take it. It’s yours,” she offered with a sickly sweet smile.
Sapphire wrinkled her nose. “Hey, you said it was taken a few minutes ago.”
“Oh, did I? It was a misunderstanding,” the Prada woman replied, feigning innocence in front of Julian.
Moments later, when he was in the restroom, I noticed Saph glare at Miss Prada. “Don’t get into the mud and wrestle with a pig. Trust me, you’ll be the only one not enjoying the mud,” I advised, stroking her arm.
“I know. You’re right.” she peeled her stare from the woman. If crossed, Saph could hold a mean grudge. We were similar in that respect. “Vee, I’m going to chat with one of the staff. Rosie’s a friend of mine. I’ll be back,” she said, getting up.
My phone buzzed.
I’ve just finished work. Are you hungry?
I grinned, then replied to Alistair’s text.
I’m starving. Casa de Amor?
I was thinking about my place. I’ve got a few surprises.
Good surprises?
Only the best for you, sweetheart.
Ooh, will you play ‘police officer’ and handcuff me?
You’ll have to come over and find out.
I’ll be over in about twenty, Officer Scott.
I’ve got one rule: no panties.
I’m not wearing any panties.
Good girl. Don’t be late.
I’m always late.
I’ll have to arrest you.
Will you inspect my pretty pussy, Daddy?
I’ll be tasting it. See you soon, naughty girl.
Can’t wait to play, Officer Scott.
“Playing Snake on your phone?” Julian’s voice boomed as his tall shadow hovered over me.
“Shit. Didn’t Mom tell you it’s rude to sneak up on people?” I swatted his arm after putting my phone away.
“I’m right, aren’t I? I bet it was the classic.” Jules showed off his village idiot grin when Saph returned.
Turning to Saph, I announced, “Hey, I’ve got to go. You two lovebirds have some fun tonight.” I got up from my seat, took Saph’s gift, and swung my handbag over my shoulder.
“I’m so glad you’re dating again,” Saph whispered into my ear as we hugged each other farewell. “Promise me, you’ll spill who he is.”
Saturday, September 9
Something shifted ever since Alistair and I said, “I love you.” We weren’t just squeezing each other into busy calendars—we carved out time like nothing else mattered.
His late-night calls became my favorite ritual.
Sometimes it was nothing more than a husky “Come over,” and I’d grab my keys, crossing town just to fall asleep tangled up with him.
We started meeting his parents at the yacht club for lunch whenever he was in town, back from a work trip around the world.
Elizabeth had a way of folding me in, almost maternal, making sure I felt more than just welcome.
I felt like I belonged. John told stories that had Alistair shaking his head, but laughing anyway.
Damian joined us, too. He was quiet at first, polite, but he warmed up the day I beat him at chess and didn’t let him forget it.
He challenged me to a game of volleyball, and I learned he was a powerhouse on the court.
Soon, I made a habit of showing up at his tournaments, cheering from the sidelines as his team crushed the competition.
I became a regular in the stands, watching him own the court.
The three of us didn’t feel like a broken set of parts anymore. For the first time, I felt like I was building something real. And Damian? He was the son I wanted. His mother didn’t deserve him. Adoption crossed my mind, but it would take a legal battle to win that case. One day at a time…
“What were you like as a child?” Alistair asked, stroking my hair as my head rested on his chest in bed. I basked in his heady scent while his fingers rubbed my nipple.
“I was a tomboy. I fought with Jules a lot, especially over toys. He was the perfect student, the goodie two-shoes who never got into trouble.”
“I imagine you were both bright.”
“We were different. While Jules got along with all the teachers, I didn’t like my religion teacher. He preached holiness, yet there was something unholy about him. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but I suspected he was hiding a dirty secret.”
“Are you always suspicious of men in the clergy?”
“I’m cautious of many people.” Turning on my stomach, I asked, “You mentioned Nick Quinn before. What was he like?”
“Nothing like Saira,” Alistair replied. “He was earnest, dependable, and trustworthy.”
“So, he was an honest man. Was he handsome?”
“Yes, he was attractive. He had an air of aristocracy and dominance. Yet, he was reasonable. He fell in love with a woman before he died,” Alistair said, closing his eyes to remember the past. He then opened his eyes and stared at me. “Tell me, how old were you when you lost your virginity?”
“I was eighteen.”
“Was it memorable?”
“No. I wasn’t in love with the guy. Scotty, I love you.”
“I love you too. Listen, is your mother comfortable about meeting me this evening?”
“She’s excited. We promised Julian and Sapphire we’d help them move furniture and unpack in their new home today. We’ll meet you for dinner afterward.”
“Don’t be late.” Alistair chuckled, stroking my hair again.
I patted his arm. “Tell me something. Were you the anonymous philanthropist who slipped Saph’s boss that donation for Julian’s research project back in March? Because if that was you, you’re the reason those two reunited and are about to be parents.”
Alistair pursed his lips, trying to hide a smile, as he looked up at the ceiling.
“Scotty?”
“May I plead the fifth?”
“No.”
I waited for Alistair to respond, but his smiling lips remained silent. I realized he preferred to be behind the scenes when helping others.
“Julian’s going to ask Saph to marry him after the baby is born,” I said, breaking the silence. “I promise, I’ll tell them about us when my niece or nephew arrives.”
“I look forward to being part of your family.” Alistair squeezed my hand. “So, I’m finally meeting your mother this weekend?”
I smiled. “She can’t wait to meet you. She’ll probably grill you with a lot of questions.”
Alistair let out a breath, half-laugh, half-nerves. “Should I be scared?”
“Maybe a little,” I teased, brushing his cheek. “But you’ll be fine. She’ll love you.”