Chapter 28
RAINE
“Miss Fischer,” Kieren says, his voice low.
I’m not sure why, but I expect him to take my hand.
Instead, he steps back, keeping clear of me, like touching me might hurt him.
The week of waiting for him to talk to me hits me square in the chest. I wasn’t mad before—more anxious with a tinge of nerves—but seeing him looking so perfect, so royal, his hair slicked back, his suit perfectly pressed at six in the evening when I’m rumpled and worn from the almost five-hour round-trip.
Agitation rises up through me. I’ve never liked an imbalance of power, and that’s what it is for sure.
I step onto the gravel, straightening myself, shoulders back, my neck as long as I can make it, the top of my head being pulled to the sky by an imaginary string. This brave woman isn’t who I am, but I can pretend to be Wren for a few minutes.
“Mr. Alder. Did you have a good trip home?” I’m not sure if I’m calling where he was home or here home.
But it doesn’t matter. My voice doesn’t wobble, and even I can hear the indifference in my tone.
Like I’m asking him if he likes the weather or has finished today’s crossword puzzle.
I bet Kieren does the Sunday crossword puzzle in pen.
The sun’s low in the sky but not down. It’s warm, but I’m doing my best to keep my cool.
“Not really,” he replies.
“That’s too bad.” I turn back to the footwell of the seat to retrieve my things, but Roark has them under his arm like they’re nothing.
“I want to talk to you about what happened.”
“You mentioned that last week.”
“Yes, I . . . When is convenient for you?”
“Tomorrow morning? I’m tired from the drive,” I blurt out. Getting this over with would be a heck of a lot better. But I’m reeling from what happened in the car with Roark. I’m already off-balance.
“Tomorrow. I . . . Yes, that will be fine.” His blue eyes hold mine, and I swear his pulse joins mine.
Gravel shifts behind him, and I dart my attention to it.
Evander’s leaning against a Rolls-Royce.
Vintage, like something you’d see in a James Bond movie.
He smiles and then winks at me. My belly stirs.
It’s the motivation I need. I want to know why the hell Kieren tried to make me a snack.
But maybe not a hundred yards from where he almost took me airborne.
More so, there’s a knot in my chest that needs to stand up to him.
He can wait now. Is it petty? I don’t think so.
And damn, I’m the girl who kisses one boss when he’s naked and the other on a car trip. I need to draw the line somewhere.
I turn to get my things from Roark, but he’s already beside me.
“I can take these inside, Duchess.”
“I’ll take them,” I say with a smile. I pivot and make my way through the side door and up the spiral backstairs.
Shaking, I walk to my room. Do I want to be there?
No. I want to go to the hall and see how the new cabinets look.
I want to bury myself in work and forget what happened in the car on the way back from Zurich.
I want to forget Kieren waiting in the drive as we pulled up.
If I go to the collection hall, I’ll have to leave eventually tonight, but I don’t want to see him again today.
No way I’m strong enough to stand up to him twice today.
In my room, I put the stack of things on the sofa. On the writing table is a tray of food. It can’t be more than a few minutes old from the way the whipped cream on the little cake is still peaked. I take a cookie and flop onto the sofa.
Me: Are you awake? I don’t even know where you are.
I always know where Wren is. I kept tabs on the main girls from the apartment too.
Mikahla was on a ten-day trip to Australia when I left.
She was the neat roommate. Kate, she was on a two-week run back and forth to London.
She gave me a list of the best pubs and told me I had to go on a weekend getaway trip.
Then Amy—smart, so smart—she likes the short trips.
Chicago, Pittsburgh, but she was studying for her LSATs and liked being back home at night.
Belinda takes trips to Japan as often as she can.
I think she has a boyfriend there, but she won’t tell anyone.
Chanda likes mixing things up and kept me on my toes with her schedule.
Valerie loves Hawaii but ends up with Atlanta more than she likes.
Wren: Not awake, most likely dead.
Me: I’ll miss you.
Wren: No, you won’t. You’ll inherit my clothes.
Me: Your clothes are too small for me.
Wren: As if z z z
Me: Sorry I’ll text you later.
Wren: Now is fine. I have to get up in fifteen minutes anyway.
Me: Where are you? This is so weird not knowing your schedule.
Wren: I can send it to you. I can send you everyone’s so you can do the bathroom schedule. Amy said she would do it, but she’s got a big exam.
I clench my eyes.
Me: Sure, send it.
Wren: I love you enough to not send it. Amy will do it. She might even do it better than you.
Me: Impossible.
This is just what I needed. The tension of the three of them is lifting from my shoulders.
Wren: How did the trip to Zurich go? Too bad it wasn’t Friday. I could have given you a ride back.
Me: How?
Wren: I’m renting a car. The train only gets halfway there.
Me: I know.
Wren: You need to learn how to drive.
Me: Why? I live in New York City.
Wren: You don’t right now.
Me: I don’t have a car to drive, anyway.
Wren: They don’t have a spare car?
Me: So far I’ve seen a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley. I barely passed the driver’s test. I’m not going to practice in a car that costs more than my entire education.
Wren: Fair . . . You okay?
Now my throat closes. How does she always know, even from the other side of the world?
Me: I’m better now that I’ve talked to you.
Wren: Good. Oh, Valerie wants to know where the extra blankets are.
Me: In the trunk at the end of Chanda’s bed.
Wren: She says thanks. And wants to know if your hunky boss has a brother.
Me: I don’t know . . .
And it hits me. What do I know about them? Not much. They’re rich dragon shifters who like hitting on the help.
Me: I’ll ask.
Wren: Do I get to meet these bosses of yours?
I want to show Wren the collection, this place.
I want her to taste the amazing food. But part of me doesn’t want to share it.
But then I remember Kieren’s talons coming at me.
And I don’t want to risk her getting hurt.
I need to be here. I need the money, the experience.
But risking the person who’s most important to me?
Roark said Wren could stay at the castle, but I don’t want to put her in danger.
Me: I’m not sure. Maybe. I’ve made a reservation at the village inn. It’s cute. I haven’t had time to check out the little town, so we can explore it together. I’m taking some time off.
Wren: You don’t have to.
Me: I have to eat.
Wren: I can’t wait to see you.
Me: Same.
Wren: I’m proud of you.
Me: I’m proud of you too.
Wren: Yay, we are living our own dreams.
Me: Good morning.
Wren: Good night.
It’s not morning there, and it’s barely night here. But it’s how Wren and I sign off when she’s on a trip.
I let my phone drop to my chest. Have I made a mistake? Have I ruined everything?
I change my clothes, unable to stay away from the collection any longer. At least, that’s what I tell myself when I quietly close my door and softly step down the hall.