Chapter 59
Ren
“Have you seen my father,” I asked Nash, looking around, but not seeing him anywhere.
“No, I haven’t.”
“I’m going to go look for him. I’ll be right back,” I said, letting go of Nash’s arm.
“I’ll come with you,” Nash offered, but I shook my head.
“No, you stay and make sure everything runs smoothly. I’m sure he just needs help with a tie or something.”
At the base of the large staircase, I grabbed the railing to make sure I didn’t fall back down and break my neck. Who had time to practice walking around in high heels? I felt like I was balancing on stilts and about to topple to my death.
“There you are,” Vadin said as I placed my foot on the first step.
I slowly turned to face him. Nash and Liam were standing together not far off, and Nash looked at me, letting me know they had my back.
“Grandfather. You found the house without issue?”
“Yes, my driver knew the way,” he said.
“That’s good,” I said, wondering why his driver was familiar with the area.
He didn’t say anything else, and I stood there feeling awkward.
I pointed up the stairs.
“I’ll be back in a minute. Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. I just want to make sure we talk before I leave for the night,” he said.
“Have you spoken to my father?”
“No, not yet. I’m hoping to do that soon,” Vadin said.
Dimitri walked up behind Vadin, dark glare and stony expression giving away what he thought of his brother before he spoke.
“Well, isn’t this lovely for Edmundo to open his home to you after the last time you saw him, when you had him hogtied and beaten,” Dimitri said, and took a sip of his drink.
I shifted my attention from Dimitri and focused on Vadin.
“I’m sorry…what did you do?”
Vadin glared at Dimitri.
“It is a long story, and it was a long time ago.”
“I wonder if Edmundo feels like it was a long time ago, or if the wound is fresh, and you being here is like having salt poured directly over it. It’s been even longer since you stole the woman I loved away from me, and every time I see you, I want to put a bullet right between your eyes. So, I can only imagine.”
“That’s enough, both of you. You will not start a fight at my father’s birthday party. If you want to argue, do it elsewhere,” I said, and turned to leave.
Vadin grabbed my wrist. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but I glared at the contact.
Nash and Liam were suddenly beside me.
“Do we have a problem here,” Nash asked.
“No,” Vadin said, releasing me. I refrained from rubbing my wrist. “I just wanted to make sure we set aside some time after the meal to talk. There is something very important that we need to discuss.”
Dimitri leaned close to Vadin’s ear.
“You’re not here to beg for Lilya’s trust fund, are you, brother? That would be a new low, even for you.”
Vadin ignored him, but I didn’t even know what trust fund Dimitri was talking about. I nodded.
“Yes, we can speak before the night is over. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I started up the stairs and looked back to see Nash and Liam blocking the way so Vadin couldn’t follow.
Once out of sight, I rubbed at my wrist. It reminded me too much of how Lawrence had touched me.
I wanted to give him the opportunity to make things right if that was truly what he was here for, but with everything I’d learned, that didn’t look possible.
Eddie’s door was closed when I finally reached it. I knocked, but no one answered.
“Dad?”
Still no answer.
Unbidden and unwelcomed panic had me trying the handle.
It was unlocked, and I threw the door open.
I darted into his room, searching for him and expecting the worst. I even stuck my head into the bathroom, but he wasn’t there.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart and settle my out-of-control nerves.
He was probably downstairs, and I just missed him.
Closing my eyes, I centered myself again before leaving.
On my way out, I stopped in front of his dresser.
A picture in a golden frame had caught my attention.
It was of Eddie and my mum. They were about my age and standing outside the front doors of Wayward.
The sun was setting out of view, but the pink and purple rays cast a warm glow over everything.
The two of them were staring into each other’s eyes like the rest of the world didn’t exist.
I traced my mother’s face. She looked so young.
So carefree and full of life and love, with hope radiating off her.
They stole that from her—from them. Lawrence, Christov, and Vadin had all played a part.
I couldn’t imagine being so hateful, jealous, or consumed with lineage to destroy this kind of happiness.
Setting the photo down, I quickly left and closed the door behind me. I was going to head back downstairs, but decided to check his office first. The door was slightly ajar as I approached, and I could hear the deep tenor of his voice coming from inside.
Eddie was standing by the window, his hand braced against the wall, head down like he was hearing the worst possible news.
“You’re sure? Okay, thanks for letting me know,” he said.
“Is everything okay,” I asked, and Eddie turned. He smiled, but it looked forced.
“Yeah. Everything will be fine,” Eddie said, walking across the room to grab his suit jacket.
“Dad, you don’t have to protect me. If something is going on, I’d like to help,” I said, as he straightened the black jacket.
He looked dashing and dangerous as he came toward me, fixing his collar and doing up the button on the front.
“Always so strong,” he said, laying his hands on my shoulders.
“So beautiful. You’re right, you’re old enough to know what is going on.
We do need to speak, but not tonight. The house is full of guests, and dinner will be served soon.
We don’t want a repeat of Thanksgiving,” he said and smiled, but the worry in his eyes bothered me.
“Are you in danger?”
“No.”
“Are my guys? Am I? Please just tell me that,” I begged, searching his face for clues.
Eddie shook his head.
“No, it is nothing like that. Tomorrow morning, we will have breakfast, and I will share my information.” He cupped my cheek. “If I thought there was a threat I needed to tell you about, I would immediately. I promise.”
I believed him. But my brain jumped to the worst-case scenario. Apparently, patience was not a virtue I possessed.
“Okay,” I said.
“Excellent. Now that you’re here, you can escort me to my party. Help me make an entrance.”
He held his hand out, and I was tempted to ask one more time. Instead, we walked out of the office. He closed and locked the door and then gave me the crook of his arm like Nash had earlier.
“Dad, I know this is a horrible question, but…how old are you?”
He chuckled. “Why do I look old?”
“No, but I just realized that I don’t actually know your age. That’s terrible of me, isn’t it?”
“Nonsense, we have had many other things to discuss and worry about. I’m turning forty,” he said.
I stopped walking and jerked him to a halt. He looked me over before his eyes locked on my face.
“What is it, what’s wrong?”
“I…I know this is going to sound dumb, but…I just assumed you were older than that.”
Eddie laughed, making me blush.
“Now, I’m scared to ask if I look older than forty.
“No, not at all. I mean, it makes sense. Mum would be thirty-nine, but I guess…you’re just so accomplished. You have this whole life thing figured out.”
“I have very little figured out, believe it or not. But as far as the businesses, you must remember that I was working to prove myself to Vadin before I could even drive. I’ve been doing this for a very long time.
When my father and mother passed away in a car accident, I inherited everything my father had built.
” I could see the pain of talking about this in his eyes.
“I mean, everything we had built. By that time, the Genovese Empire was quite large, but I had made deals of my own all around the world.”
“And you did all of that to marry Mum?”
Eddie nodded.
“I did, and then Vadin changed his mind.” His voice held longing that hurt to hear. He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I don’t mean to get so emotional. Today is a celebration.”
“You’re right. I’m the one who should be sorry for bringing up sad stuff. Forty is a milestone birthday,” I said, and smiled at him.
We reached the top of the stairs and paused.
“Greetings, everyone,” Dad said in a booming voice.
Those milling around below quieted and looked up. I spotted Vadin right away, his eyes hard to read from so far, but his mouth was set in a grimace. Apparently, he didn’t like seeing us together like this.
“Thank you all for being here today to celebrate my birthday. The meal will be served shortly, if you can all make your way into the formal dining room.”
Vicky rolled her eyes at us as we walked down the stairs, and oddly, it felt right. She was behaving more like her normal self.
The table was larger than it had been at Thanksgiving, and I assumed that this was the full length. Despite the room’s obscene size, there was no additional space.
At the head of the table, I took my place in the empty chair to Eddie’s right.
Nash was beside me, and then Liam, Theo, Ethan, Lip, Myles, and Blake.
Vicky sat across from us, with Ronan beside her, then Romeo.
Neither of the men who were supposed to be interested in her seemed like the marrying type.
Romeo’s friend and bodyguard, Saul, was seated next to him, followed by Emmett, Bridget, Vadin, and Paul.
Dimitri had been seated opposite Eddie, which I’m sure burned Vadin’s ass.
Before Eddie sat, he lifted a wine glass into the air.
“I would ask if anyone wants to make a toast, but considering our track record, I will simply say that I’m pleased to have you all join me today for my birthday celebration. I appreciate you making the time. Cheers.”