Chapter 14 #2
His father’s oily-salesman voice put Saxon on edge, as did him calling Saxon son.
“Mrs. Buchanan and I already talked on the phone the other day,” Gia said sweetly.
Uh-oh . Saxon recognized that tone. He wrapped his arm more securely around Gia. She was glaring at his mom.
Vanessa Buchanan’s lip curled.
“Gia, this is Rupert and Vanessa. Mom, Dad, this is Gia Norcross.”
“Norcross?” His father frowned.
Saxon’s mother stiffened. “That family. Always trying to worm their way into your life. Now this one has made her way into your bed?”
Gia jerked, and he felt her muscles tense.
“No, mother,” Saxon said. “I was always trying to worm my way into their family. A real family, with people who care.”
“Golddiggers,” his mother spat.
Gia turned her head. “Is she serious?”
“Yes. Not to mention, my mother’s family lost all their money years ago. Marrying my father was the ultimate gold-digging exercise.”
His mother gasped. “I come from a very good family.”
“You don’t know the meaning of the word good, Mother.”
“My brother is Easton Norcross,” Gia said. “He could buy and sell you a hundred times. And I have my own successful business. God, Saxon has more going for him than money and his name.”
He smiled. “Oh, yeah?”
“Quiet,” she said. “I feel a rant coming on.”
“Have at it, Contessa.” He looked at his parents, and the poisonous feeling in his gut eased. Gia was like antivenom.
“He didn’t worm his way into our family, we claimed him. First, my brother, then the rest of us, including my parents. We love him, just as he is. He’s ours.”
Saxon’s chest locked. Loved him? He felt like the ground had fallen away from under him.
“So, you can’t have him,” Gia finished.
“I don’t need to listen to some whore wearing my son’s shirt,” his mother spat.
“Don’t you dare talk to her like that,” Saxon growled.
His mother’s mouth snapped shut.
“You ignore him, insult him, don’t support his choices. You’re terrible, selfish people. So, I think you should go.” Gia made a shooing motion with her hand.
Saxon bit back a laugh. The Countess dismissing the peasants. His parents looked stunned. No one spoke to them like that.
Looking at them, he realized that Gia was right. They were just weak, selfish people. It was never anything he’d done or didn’t do that had made them treat him the way they had.
His mother bristled. “We are Saxon’s parents—”
Gia straightened. “Saxon made himself who he is, with no help from you, so you can fuck off.”
His father’s face turned red. His mother spluttered. “Well, I never—”
Gia slammed the door closed. “Are you all right?” Worry edged her gaze.
“Yeah.”
“Really? I just swore at your parents.”
“It was pretty fucking awesome.” He swept her up in his arms and kissed her.
“Right, so brunch.” She pulled in a breath. “After that, I need champagne.”
“You’ll have to wait, because I need to fuck you first.” He carried her towards the stairs.
“Saxon, I’m starving!”
He set her down on the stairs and decided he couldn’t make it to the bedroom. He swiveled her and pushed her down until her hands hit the stair above her. He slid his hands under her shirt and stroked.
She gasped. “Oh, okay, but make it quick.”
By the time they made it to Nopa for a late brunch, Gia was flushed from two orgasms. She sat in a booth across from him in the open, two-story restaurant North of the Panhandle, sipping her champagne. Nopa was always busy, and touted their food as urban rustic. Saxon just called it good.
Gia looked beautiful in a pretty sundress and strappy sandals.
“Your parents don’t deserve you,” she said.
“I think I finally realized that.” He took her hand. “I stopped trying to please them years ago.”
“But it’s ingrained in kids to want their parents’ love and approval.” She cocked her head. “You got expelled from your fancy private school so they’d notice you, didn’t you?”
He nodded. “Best thing I ever did.” He’d changed schools and met Vander, and his life had become infinitely better. If he hadn’t decided to join the Army like Vander, he might very well be the rich, useless man his parents wanted.
She squeezed his hand. “I don’t think your parents are capable of loving anyone but themselves.”
Saxon looked up and saw a man moving across the restaurant toward them. He froze.
Gia frowned. “Saxon?”
“Good morning.” The man was older, with gray hair and round cheeks, and even though it was Sunday, wore a three-piece suit.
When Gia stiffened, Saxon realized she knew who their visitor was.
“Mr. Buchanan, we’ve never had the pleasure,” the man said.
“Sackler.”
Gia straightened in her chair.
“I don’t know your lovely companion.” Sackler smiled at Gia, but it didn’t reach his dark eyes.
“I think you know exactly who I am, Mr. Sackler.” She smiled sharply. “I especially liked taking down the goons you sent after us yesterday.”
The man’s smile dimmed, his gaze boring into Saxon’s. “I hear that Norcross Security has a reputation for getting things done. I suggest not sticking your nose in where it is not wanted.”
Saxon kept his face impassive.
Gia scoffed. “Vander does whatever the hell he feels is right, Mr. Sackler. So, your veiled threats are wasted on us.” She lifted her champagne flute and sipped.
“I want my diamond back.”
“We don’t have it,” Saxon said. “And it sounds like you lost it fair and square. Don’t go after my woman, who is also Vander’s sister, or we’ll stick our noses in so far, it will get pretty fucking uncomfortable for you.”
Sackler glared at them. “A pleasure to meet you both.”
Gia smiled. “Sorry, I can’t say the same.”
The man ambled off.
“Boy, you have to deal with more assholes than I do at work,” she muttered.
“I need to call Vander.” Sackler had well and truly entered the game, and it wasn’t giving Saxon a very good feeling.