8. Stevie
CHAPTER EIGHT
STEVIE
Sebastian’s black sports car is close behind me as I pull into the subterranean garage at Thompson Manor.
After I checked myself through security at the bottom of the hill, I took the windy, dark road all the way until Sebastian and River’s massive gothic mansion came into view.
It was as overwhelming as the first time here a few weeks ago.
The entire drive here, I thought about how I’m going to bring up Sebastian leaving a massive bouquet of white roses inside my condo while I was out.
The gesture was sweet since they’re my favorite, but I am still frustrated with his audacity to invade my privacy like he did.
I park to the right of my sister’s car and turn off the engine.
Butterflies settle into my stomach with anticipation of what I’m getting myself into.
Sebastian knocks on my window, as if I’m taking too long to exit my car. I flip my loose curls over my shoulder, then open the door and step out.
“Did you try to lose me?” he accuses playfully.
“Of course not.”
His eyes narrow. “Because even if you did, I know where my own house is.”
“Good for you.”
The elevator slides open, and Sebastian and I whip our heads around to see River and Lux standing inside.
“Stevie, you’re here!” she shrieks, sprinting toward me.
Sebastian has a prideful smirk on his face. “I can be very convincing.”
“I’m just here to try on the outfit for tomorrow night.”
Lux’s hugs me. “You’re going to look beautiful.”
As soon as we get to the main floor, the first thing I see is River and Sebastian’s Aunt Mae standing in the foyer with a welcoming smile.
Her hand draped over a short wardrobe rack holding two covered garment bags.
At the bottom of the rack, there are two pairs of stunningly black heels and a pair of men’s dress shoes.
“It’s so good to see you, Stevie,” Mae warmly greets me as the four of us step onto the onyx marble floor. The scent of leather and damp stone wrap around me like a familiar hug.
“Wonderful to see you, too,” I return, leaning in for an embrace. Her energy is comforting.
“I’m so glad you’re going to be working with Sebastian.” Aunt Mae holds my shoulders at arm’s length. “You’re the only one who’s a good fit for all of this.”
Sebastian and I exchange a quick side-eye.
River chuckles from behind us.
I get a quick startle when a tiny black kitten walks between my legs, rubbing his body fur on my ankle. “When did you guys get a cat?”
“Last week.” Sebastian smiles and scoops him up. “Meet Poe.”
I smile at his adorable face. “He’s so cute,” I say, scratching behind his head.
“Why don’t we head to the East Wing and try your outfit on?” Lux suggests, grabbing one of the garment bags.
I nod and let her guide me through the house to where she used to stay when she worked on the last nighttime project with Sebastian and River.
Now that she’s fully moved into the North Wing with River, it looks like it might be mine if I take her up on her offer to move in temporarily while they’re away in France.
When I stayed here a few weeks ago with Lux, she explained the manor is set up like a compass with the North, South, East, and West Wings branching off of the main hub, which comprises the heart of the manor.
Sebastian’s in the West Wing, Mae has the South Wing, and Lux and River have the North Wing.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say.
Sebastian and River grab the other garment bag, shoes, and a small black velvet box from the rack and head toward the West Wing.
“All right.” Mae clasps her hands together. “I have some Thompson Innovations work to do. Someone has to help run the company,” she teases, then waves us off and walks away.
I grab the pair of shoes and a small black box and follow Lux down the hall.
“I’m sad I won’t be able to come with you,” she grumbles, laying the bag flat on the large bed.
The heavy blackout curtains are open, showing a clear night sky. The vastness which surrounds me reflects the breathtaking forest comprising the Thompson Manor and the property.
“I love how quiet it is up here.”
“I know, me too. It’s a dream living on these incredible grounds.” She unzips the bag and takes out a full-length black dress with long lace sleeves. “Oh my god, Stevie.”
As my sister holds up the dress. I’m stunned at how beautiful it is.
“This dress is gorgeous.” I run my thumb over the delicate fabric. “Look at these tiny silk buttons lining the back.”
“Seriously, it’s ridiculous. And you get to wear it.” She gently lays it back down on the bed, and we both reach for a small satin black box to the side. “What is this?”
“I’m not sure. An accessory, maybe?” I say, then untie the bow. All four sides fold down, revealing a handmade masquerade mask.
“Is this your mask?” she asks with her voice low, admiring the delicate, haunting lace mask.
Careful to remove it, I pinch the two sides where the thin dark elastic meets the details of the fabric. “It’s a Venetian Colombina. I learned about them in one of the classes I took in college.”
“Let’s try this beauty on you.”
I take an excited breath, giddy to feel the soft, expensive fabric on my skin. “Eek!”
Lux helps me slide it over my head, inching it down my back and over my hips. I’m surprised at how perfectly it fits.
“Damn, Stevie.” She stands back and smiles. “It’s like prom, but now you’re way hotter and with bigger boobs.”
I cross over to the wall in the closet to see myself in the full-length mirror there. “Bigger boobs and hips for days.”
“Exactly!” Lux laughs. “Here.” She hands me the lacy Colombina.
I slide it on, the lace only covering the top of my face, leaving the bottom half of my nose and lips visible.
Lux comes behind me and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “Perfection.”
“Thank you, Luxy.” I rest my head against hers. “I wish you and River were going with us.”
Her expression falls. “I know, Stevie. But I can’t.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I suddenly feel bad for saying anything.
It’s selfish of me to want Lux to take part in this project after the hell she went through recently, but she’s my big sister and best friend.
The thought of taking any of this on without her is daunting.
“I’m sorry, it’s not fair of me to bring it up. ”
She steps in front of me, clutching my shoulders. “It’s okay. Trust me, there’s a big part of me that wants to take this on with you, too, but I’m not ready yet.”
An unexpected tear falls down my cheek. “I know. You deserve to put yourself first and escape into solitude with the man who’s obsessed with you.”
A light grin transforms her somber features. “River is something else, isn’t he?”
“He is.”
She swipes the sudden wetness from her face. “Who knows, maybe one day the four of us can work on a project together.”
“Seriously?” My eyes widen with shock at her comment.
“Don’t be so quick to judge. This world is intoxicating.”
“When this is over, I’m going back to my quiet little life with my dead people and cemeteries.”
“Fair enough.”
I turn to take one last look at myself in the dress before taking it off.
While changing back into my clothes, the intercom on the wall by the door chimes with River’s voice. “Lux?”
She reaches for her phone to text him instead of responding through the house intercom. “He’s probably asking if I’m hungry.”
I gently place the mask back into the black box and zip the dress safely inside the garment bag so as to not snag any of the beading.
“Stevie?” Lux’s eyebrows knit together.
“Yes?”
“River’s asking if I want to leave tonight.”
I lower to sit next to her on the edge of the bed. “I thought you were leaving tomorrow?”
“They’re expecting a big storm tomorrow, and since the weather is clear now, the pilot wants to stay ahead of it.”
I fall back into the dark, thick down comforter. “It’s always raining in Seattle.”
“Sorry.” She lies on her side next to me.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I turn to my sister. “I’ll be fine.”
“You will. And don’t forget to keep me updated!”
“Of course.”
Lux rolls off the bed and stands, placing a hand on her hip. “And I’m sure River will be in constant contact with Sebastian, too.”
“I’m sure.” I laugh, getting to my feet. “So, you’re leaving now?”
She nods. “Yeah, River is meeting me on the landing strip outside with our things any moment.”
“I’ll walk you out.” I link my arm through my sister’s. We both exit the room and head toward the main part of the house, stopping before we approach the elevators because the sound of heavy boots is quick behind us.
“Ready, Raven?” River uses his pet name for her as he slips his arm around Lux’s waist. I want to hate it, but can’t because of the poetic nature of it.
Lux leans into him. “Let’s go.”
Sebastian is right behind River, and we exchange a quick smile, acknowledging each other before the four of us step into the elevator.
“I can’t wait to drink wine and watch the sun go down over those beautiful French hills.” Lux stares up at River with lovey eyes.
Shoulder to shoulder, Sebastian and I keep our heads straight, facing the slit in the steel doors.
Although the reflection is warped, I can tell he’s biting back laughter at the two behind us.
The warmth of his body close to mine should be comforting, but the unknown leaves me with an awkward tension that settles between us which it’s just the two of us.
“It’s going to be amazing,” River responds to Lux, as if they’re the only two in here.
The cool summer night air whips past me as the doors slide open to the Thompsons’ private jet waiting a short walk away.
Lux turns to me with her eyes low. She’s conflicted about her choice, which I understand, but I have to reassure my sister I’ll be fine without her. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m gonna miss you, too.” We embrace each other in a big hug. “But I know I can do this.”
She pulls away to face me fully. “You can. The Levinson family was born to seek justice. It’s in our DNA.”
“I know,” I reply.
Then, after one more quick hug goodbye, Lux slides her hand into River’s.
“We’ll talk soon,” Sebastian tells River, giving him a quick hug before my sister and his cousin board the plane.
A gentle hand on my shoulder, he urges me to back up until we’re a safe distance away. Standing together, we watch the plane pick up speed down the short runway until it safely lifts and heads into the night sky.
“Just you and me, Stevie,” he remarks casually.
But the realization that I’ll be spending the next six weeks alone with Sebastian hits me like a freight train. It’s just me and him in this big freaking house. Sure, Mae will be here and some of the house staff, but no Lux or River. Spending time working together—alone.
Can we actually do this without them? I mean, I know Sebastian can, but can I? Naturally, I find myself nervous about taking on such a high-stakes task.
“I guess so.” I empty my lungs with a full exhale, hoping to push every nervous fiber out of me.
“You’re staying here tonight, right?”
“Looks like it,” I say.
Suddenly, I feel Sebastian’s gaze bore into the side of my face, causing me to turn to him. “Have you decided to move into the manor while we’re working together?”
“Yes.”
“It will be safer.”
“I know. I am.” The wind—or nervousness—dries out my mouth, and my tongue darts out to wet it. Sebastian’s focus drops to my lips to watch my movements before meeting my eyes once again. Rapidly blinking, I look away. “I don’t think I had much of a choice.”
Sebastian shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and leans in. “You always have a choice, Stevie.”
“What if I said no?”
“That’s not an option,” he replies, standing back to his full height.
I roll my eyes, remembering the roses he left in my apartment. “I know you were in my apartment. Which proves how easily it is to get into. That’s the only reason I’m saying yes.”
“Oh, yeah? And this is the first time you’re bringing it up?” His eyes light up as a smirk crawls across his face. He tries to hide it by rubbing his chin, but fails.
“I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of me.”
He laughs. “But did you like the roses?”
My body betrays me when a blush heats my cheeks. “I did.”
“How many times have you been inside my apartment?” I ask.
“Just once.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“Okay.”
“And stop smoking. It’s unhealthy,” I say.
“Any more demands?”
“Not at this time.”
“All right.” He smiles, showing off his bright white teeth with a grin that reveals he isn’t as bothered by this situation as I am. “Breakfast?”
This is going to be a long few weeks.