Chapter 24
24
Cecely
I don’t even get the honor of being walked back to the house. No lingering touch. No stolen glance. Nothing.
Instead, he shoves the basket into my hands without a word. Then, before I can even process it, he turns and jogs toward the helipad. Still barefoot. Still in nothing but those damn swim shorts. Like he doesn’t care. Like I was just another moment to leave behind.
Something inside me twists.
I should call out after him. Demand he stop. Face me. Say something. Anything.
But I don’t.
I just stand there, clutching the stupid basket, watching him disappear into the night.
When it’s clear he’s not coming back, I turn and head toward the house.
It looms ahead, feeling emptier than it should. Lonelier. Like all the warmth from earlier has been sucked out of it.
I don’t think about that. I won’t.
Instead, a thought crosses my mind. Maybe I should take advantage of Claudius being gone. If he’s really going to bring my sperm donor here, then this might be the last time I’ll have any freedom. The last time I’ll be alone. Well, alone-ish. If I don’t count the stolen women. And Agnes.
My chest tightens at the thought, but I push it aside. If there’s a time to look for the mysterious basement Leyla mentioned… it’s now. And I need to know what’s down there.
Reaching the front door, I leave the basket in the entryway and slip inside. First things first. I need a shower. There’s sand in places I don’t want to talk about. And if I’m going to go snooping in Claudius’ house, I might as well do it clean.
It’s strange being in Claudius’ room without him here. The space feels different, like it belongs to someone else entirely now that he’s gone. Part of me wonders if I made a mistake moving my things in here. What? We share two days of great sex, and suddenly I think I know the man?
I shake my head.
Maybe I’m more like my mother than I think.
The thought unsettles me, so I shove it down. Packing everything back up would take too long. And honestly? I’m too stubborn to backtrack now. Instead, I strip off my clothes, padding naked to the bathroom, letting the steam from the shower wash away everything. The sand. The salt. The feeling of being left behind.
When I step out, I dress quickly in leggings and a t-shirt, my hair still damp. At the last second, I slide on sneakers. Because if I really do find the basement door, I have no idea what I might walk into. And something tells me I should be ready for anything.
I take a steadying breath, glancing around Claudius’ room one last time. Then, I step out. The house is quiet. I listen for any sounds. Footsteps, voices, the distant hum of movement. Nothing. I’m alone. For now.
I move carefully, keeping my steps light, my pulse pounding with every turn down the dimly lit corridors, going to the first floor. If there’s a basement, it has to be somewhere hidden. Somewhere tucked away and forgotten. I start methodically, searching room by room, hallway by hallway, looking for anything out of place. A locked door. A passageway leading down. A shadow where there shouldn’t be one.
The air feels heavier as I move deeper into the house, as if the walls themselves are watching. Waiting. I pass the library, the study, the dining room. Nothing. I press forward. Through the east wing, past rooms I’ve never even stepped foot in. Still nothing. My frustration builds, but I push it down. This house is too big. Too old. There has to be a way down. Maybe it’s outside?
And then I spot it. A narrow door, partially hidden by a large armoire. One I never noticed before. I step closer, my breath catching. It’s different from the others. No ornate carvings. No polished brass handle. Just plain. Simple. Unassuming. Like it’s meant to be ignored.
But I see it now. And something deep in my gut tells me I just found what I was looking for. The basement.
“What are you doing down here?”
The voice snaps through the dimly lit hallway like a whip. I spin, my heartbeat jumping as I come face-to-face with Agnes. She’s not in her usual uniform. Instead, she’s wearing a robe, her hair slightly disheveled like she wasn’t expecting to be interrupted. Like she was already down here. Close to the basement. Is her room down here?
I school my expression, masking my racing thoughts. “I thought I heard something.”
Lie.
Her sharp gaze narrows. “You didn’t. Return to your room. Now.”
I force myself to smile sweetly, tilting my head. “Haven’t you heard? I changed rooms.”
Her eyes flicker. Got her.
“Claudius asked me to stay in his room with him.”
Her widening eyes betray her shock for just a second. Just long enough for me to see the cracks. She didn’t know. Ha! She doesn’t know everything that happens in this house.
Finally, she regains her composure, pressing her lips into a thin line. “You need to be careful.”
I step toward her, challenging. “Do you know what I think?”
She doesn’t answer.
I take another step. “I think it’s Claudius who needs to be careful.”
Her face remains neutral, but I swear I see something flicker behind her gaze. Fear? Guilt? Something else?
“I don’t know what you’re up to, Agnes,” I continue, voice firm, “but I won’t let you hurt him.”
That makes her laugh. Not a full laugh. Just a quiet, almost pitying chuckle. Then she shakes her head.
“You think you’ve got it all figured out, do you?”
The amusement vanishes in an instant. She steps closer, her presence suddenly heavier, colder. Her voice drops lower and more serious.
“Dearie, you have no idea what you’re dealing with. As for who should be careful,” she murmurs, “It’s you.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, I’m telling you. You think I’m just saying these things to scare you? I’m not. I’m trying to protect you.”
“Protect me?” I scoff. “I don’t need protecting.”
“You do. You’re in danger by being here and you don’t even see it.”
I hold up my hand. “I don’t want to hear another lie. I’m going back to my room.”
I don’t wait for Agnes to reply. I don’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me hesitate. Instead, I turn and walk away, my steps steady and controlled like she didn’t just scare the shit out of me. Because she did.
Her words still crawl under my skin, slithering through my thoughts, settling into something uneasy. You have no idea what you’re dealing with. But that’s the problem, isn’t it? I don’t. And I hate being kept in the dark.
That means one thing. I need to head right toward that door the moment I can. Because if she’s trying to keep me out… That means that’s exactly where I need to be.
In Claudius’ room, I climb onto the bed. It’s been a hell of a day and I fall asleep without meaning to. My goal was to stay awake until Claudius gets home. Instead, I’m jolted out of sleep by a touch to my foot.
I gasp, sitting. There before me is Claudius. Or so I think until he speaks.
“It’s a funny thing. People pay millions of dollars for high-tech security systems only to forget one tiny thing.” He leans in. “We’re identical in every way, which means his face that unlocks everything also works for me.”
I pull the bedding closer to my chest.
“What are you doing here, Gabriel?”
His lips lift. “Maybe I missed you.”
“Doubtful.”
My mind races. How did he know I was in here? I only changed rooms today.
“Maybe I was so desperate to be inside of you again that I broke into this house. My old house…”
His words don’t feel right. Not like they did the first time we met. Instead, they make me feel like bugs are crawling over my skin.
“If that’s true, then why do you want to kill me?”
“Who said I want to kill you?” He gives me a smile that would bring me to my knees if I were standing. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Cecely.”
“Your brother made a compelling case,” I finally answer.
He’s silent for a moment before asking, “Has he brought your father here yet?”
Warning bells go off in the back of my head because of what I overheard today. How does he know this information?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Gabriel moves closer, touching my thigh. Even though I’m covered, I can feel the burn of his touch.
“I’ve been inside of you, mama. Remember that when you lie to me.”
I shove his hand away. “You don’t get to play that card. We fucked. Big deal. Now, tell me why you think my sperm donor is on the way here.”
“The same way that you do. I overheard my dear brother on the phone.”
“How—”
“We’ve already established how, Cecely. The question is, what are you going to do about it?” His tone softens. “I’m sure meeting him is the last thing you want to do.”
I’m silent, which makes him sigh.
“Tell you what. I’m going to leave and the next time we see each other, well, maybe you’ll be ready to talk.” He pats my leg. “Have fun.”
He walks across the room, slipping onto the balcony.
Throwing back the bedding, I run across the room, following him outside, only to find that he’s already gone. Did he jump? I scan the ground, hoping to see him, but don’t.
My heart slams against my ribs. The night air is cool against my skin, but I barely notice. Because he’s gone. Like he was never here at all.
But he was.
I can still feel his touch on my leg, still hear the weight of his words in my ears.
“Have fun.”
I force myself to breathe, my hands gripping the railing as I scan the darkness below. How in the hell did he vanish like that? It has to mean one of two things.
Either Gabriel is better at disappearing than I thought…
Or I never stood a chance of catching him in the first place.
Both options terrify me.
I stay on the balcony until my teeth chatter, the night air seeping into my skin. Finally, I go back inside. But there’s no way I’m falling asleep now. Not after that.
My mind spins and I don’t know what’s worse. That he was here at all or that a part of me still isn’t sure what to believe.
A growl rumbles in my stomach. I huff. A sign from the universe, I guess. Food it is. I pad out of the room, my footsteps quiet against the floor, moving through the dark hallways like a shadow myself. By the time I reach the kitchen, the house is still.
I open the fridge, looking to see what’s inside. I jump when a tan, muscular arm reaches around me, grabbing the carton of milk. Turning, I find Claudius.I’m certain it’s him because of the way my heart stutters. It didn’t do that for Gabriel. Not in the same way, at least.
He’s wearing black slacks and a black t-shirt. This is the most laid back I’ve seen him, except for how he looked on the beach. Damn my body and these pregnancy hormones, because not only does he look good, but he smells good, too. I lean in, sniffing. Like leather and?—
“Is there a reason you’re sniffing me?”
My cheeks flame, and I’m glad the lights are off.
I push past him and say, “You wish.”
I had meant to grab ingredients to make a sandwich, but there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere near him. Even if it means starving. He is totally unaware of my dilemma as he crosses the kitchen, grabbing a box of cereal.
“Lucky Charms? Really?”
“A guilty pleasure.” He pauses. “Would you like some?”
“Claudius Irons. Are you being nice to me?”
He should be nice to me after the way he ditched me after our picnic!
“I guess I am.”
“Yeah, I’d love some.”
He reaches into the cabinet for two bowls. I watch silently as he pours cereal into each bowl before sliding one my way.
“What are you doing up?”
I debate what to tell him, pour milk over my cereal.
Finally I say, “Couldn’t sleep. What about you?”
“Just a lot on my mind. I’m glad you’re in here, actually. There’s something I need to tell you.”
My pulse races. Does he know Gabriel was here?
“Someone tried to attack your father again. I’m going to have him and his family brought here while he recovers. That’s why I had to leave earlier.”
Now my pulse is racing for a different reason.
“Does he know I’m here?”
“He does.”
“You said before that he’s married. Will his wife be with him?”
Claudius has the decency to look away for a moment. “She will be with him, as will their two children.”
“Children? I have siblings?”
“Two sisters. Alyssa and Bonnie. Alyssa is older. Bonnie is the same age as you, just a few months younger.”
I stare at Claudius, my mind racing as his words settle in. Two sisters. A father who has never acknowledged me. A family I didn’t know existed. My throat feels tight, my stomach twisting in ways that have nothing to do with the pregnancy.
“Alyssa and Bonnie.” I repeat their names, trying to make them real.
Trying to picture them. But all I can see is the glaring gap between us. The years they got that I didn’t. The love, the recognition, the name, the family.
I swallow hard. “So, he was fucking my mother while his wife was pregnant.”
I don’t say it like a question. Because I already know the answer.
Claudius doesn’t correct me. Instead, his gaze holds mine, unreadable, like he’s gauging my reaction.
I don’t want to ask. But I need to know.
“Do they know about me?”
His jaw tightens slightly. “That, I don’t know.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. Of course. A secret, buried. A shadow daughter, hidden behind the real family. A dirty little mistake. I force the thought away, but it lingers, sour in my chest.
Claudius watches me too carefully.
I ask, “What are your thoughts about it?”
His expression doesn’t change. “That he should tell them. Just as he and your mother should have told you.”
I let out a slow, unsteady breath, gripping my spoon tighter.
“And what do you think I should do?”
Claudius leans back against the counter, watching me too carefully. Like he already knows the answer, but he’s waiting to see if I’ll say it first.
“It’s your choice.” His voice is even.
“That’s not what I asked.”
His lips twitch, like he almost smirks, but stops himself.
“No, it’s not.” He takes his time answering, as if choosing his words precisely. “You don’t owe them anything, Cecely.”
His voice is quiet, but there’s an edge to it. Like he understands the weight of what he’s saying. Like he knows what it’s like to be the one left behind.
“But that doesn’t mean you should let them shape the narrative without you.”
My pulse ticks up.
“What does that mean?”
Claudius sets his bowl down, crossing his arms, his gaze unreadable.
“It means that whether or not you face them, they’re going to talk about you. They’re going to form opinions, assumptions. Maybe they already have.”
A shiver runs down my spine.
“And you think I should confront them before that happens?”
He doesn’t nod. He doesn’t confirm it outright. But the look he gives me says everything. He thinks I should. Maybe he knows I have to.
I let out a slow breath, staring at the cereal in front of me, but suddenly, I don’t feel hungry anymore.
Because he’s right. Even if I choose to ignore them, they won’t ignore me. Not when we’re all living in the same house. And if I don’t control the story, the truth, my place in it… Someone else will.
“There’s one more thing,” he says. “Your father wants your mother brought here, too.”
“Of course he does.”
Of course he would. He’s gone and made a mess of everything, and now he expects everyone to play nice and act like a family. Like he didn’t leave me in the dust for all these years. Like he didn’t abandon me. Like he can suddenly decide he wants me and my mother.
It makes my blood boil.
“So, he’s still playing his games. All these years, and he still thinks he can just… swoop in and fix everything.” I shake my head, angry at the absurdity of it all. “Why does he think I want anything to do with him? Or her?”
Claudius is silent for a moment, watching me, his expression unchanged.
“Maybe he thinks he has a right to do so.”
The words stun me, and I stop short. A right?
“A right? How?” I ask, the disbelief clear in my voice.
“You’re his daughter, Cecely.” He shrugs, like it’s a simple truth, one that doesn’t need to be argued.
“Yeah,” I say, voice tight, “but he hasn’t been here for any of it. He doesn’t get to just?—”
I cut myself off, suddenly feeling like a fool. I’ve given this too much thought and let myself feel too much.
No more.
I shake my head, standing abruptly. “I’m tired.”
Claudius’ voice is calmer now, softer. “Cecely?—”
I don’t let him finish. I turn, my expression blank, my voice colder than I feel.
“Bring them here, Claudius. I. Don’t. Care.”
Lie.
I do care. I care too much, and that’s the problem. I don’t wait for his response. Instead, I walk away. Leaving behind the half-eaten cereal, the half-finished conversation—and the whole mess I don’t want to deal with.