Chapter 2
Chapter two
Pulling into the third bay of the garage, Ebony killed the engine just as the blue Bronco pulled into the bay next to hers.
With the bags of food in each hand, she didn't wait for Gavin as she headed through the door and down the long marble hall to the kitchen.
Behind her the garage doors rumbled closed.
"Let's eat in the den," Gavin called out from behind her.
Ebony stopped and swung around, giving him a look. "What? Why?" Even though she already knew why.
Closing the distance between them, Gavin leaned forward and bent his head down toward her as if he was going to give her a kiss and Ebony froze. The opening was all he needed to snatch the bags of food from her hands with a victorious grin before he strode away.
Annoyed, Ebony followed him as he passed by the grand kitchen.
Just like the rest of the house the immaculate room was designed mostly in white and black.
Ribbons of gold threaded through the creamy marble across the counters while tall black iron windows with their curved designs lined the wall.
Bright natural light poured over every inch of the house, gleaming off the shining surfaces and perfectly designed rooms.
"Because I want to watch the last episode of my show," he answered halfway down the curving stairs that led to the basement, before adding. "On the big screen."
Ebony sighed but didn’t argue. There was a perfectly working TV hanging on the wall in the dining room, camouflaged as a still life painting of a windswept field.
But she knew it was pointless to mention that.
What he wanted was the huge ninety-inch TV down in the basement along with the big comfy black corduroy couch where he could eat lounging in comfort.
They were both descending the stairs to the den when a rumbling noise echoed faintly through the quiet empty house.
Ebony's heart jumped in her chest as she looked to Gavin in confusion.
What was that? There was no one else in the house, just them.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. There was Duke, their sweet Golden Retriever who was usually laid out across Gavin's bed at this time of day taking a nap in the sunlight.
But that sound had been too big a noise for Duke to make.
As if a flip switched inside of him, Gavin quietly set the bags down on the stairs and turned to face her.
Ebony's eyes widened as she took in the shift in his body—a dangerous shift.
Even standing a few steps below her Gavin was still eye level with her.
At six-foot-four and well over two hundred pounds Gavin was built like a UFC champion with the skills to prove it.
"Wait here," he said quietly, walking past her up the stairs.
Ebony shook her head, her mind immediately jumping to the worst possible scenarios even as she strained to listen.
"No," she whispered. Her hand clasped onto the sleeve of his shirt but he didn't stop moving, forcing the fabric to pull out of her grasp. "Gavin!" she hissed, demanding he stop but another sound froze them both.
The sound of a door opening.
For one second, Gavin stood stone still, his broad back taking up most of her line of sight at the top of the stairs before the tension left his body and shoulders dropped.
Gavin turned back to her with a smirk. "The alarm didn't sound and I just set it a few seconds ago when we came in."
Ebony only had a few seconds to think about that before he spoke again.
"That means they’re back," Gavin sighed, scrubbing his face with one hand and looking to the ceiling with an annoyed expression.
Any last trace of fear vanished as she thought about his words. "They’re back already?"
Their parents, Grant and Whitney Rosebank, weren't supposed to be back home until next week. Constant jet setters, the couple never stayed in one place for too long.
"Oh shit, my barbecue." Gavin looked worriedly back at her and then to the bags sitting on the steps.
"Did I hear barbecue?" A familiar deep voice sounded from above them.
Gavin groaned and Ebony beamed as she stepped around him to see her dad. "Daddy!" she called out and raced up the stairs.
Similar to his son, Grant Rosebank stood tall and solid at the top of the stairs and caught her in a big hug.
His powerful arms wrapped around her, pressing her tight against him.
Ebony smiled, inhaling his expensive cologne.
Nothing beat his hugs. Big and warm, he felt like hugging a giant muscled-up bear.
"Ebony, darling," Grant's deep voice rumbled against her. "How's my pride and joy?"
He held her at arm’s length, his vibrant blue eyes scanning over her to make sure she was safe and sound, as he did every time he came back home. God help Gavin if she ever wasn't.
"I'm fine, daddy," she answered as Gavin snorted behind her.
"And I'm alive too, just for the record," Gavin grumbled, not sparing his father another glance before turning to the lithe figure standing next to Grant.
"Mother, the only one who truly loves me." Gavin threw his arms out dramatically before enveloping their mom in a hug. "You look radiant as usual."
"Hello, sweetheart." Whitney Rosebank smiled affectionately at her stepson and patted his bicep, crushing her to his frame ever so slightly.
Instantly, Gavin released her, still grinning down at her.
Knowing it was her turn Ebony stepped up to her mother.
Instinctively, some of Ebony's enthusiasm died down at the sight of her mother, with her striking looks, long sleek black hair, and dark eyes sharp enough to spot the smallest of missteps, especially when it came to Ebony.
Keeping her expression unreadable, Ebony gave her mom a bright smile and leaned in for a brief hug.
"Hi, momma," she greeted.
Whitney's sharp gaze raked over her and Ebony had to fight back the urge to sigh. Lifting a hand up, Whitney gently brushed aside one of Ebony's wayward curls from her face before smiling in return. "Hello, darling. You look well."
Ebony nearly wilted with relief. No comment on her clothes, or hair, or what she was or was not doing. Just a simple you look well, that was a seal of approval in Whitney's eyes.
Next to them, Grant clapped his hands together and pinned his son with a self-satisfied smirk. "Now what's this I hear about barbecue?"
Some time later they were all sitting at the breakfast nook in the kitchen, Gavin still groaning about his food being stolen and the insufficient grams of protein between bites.
Ebony listened and ate as her mother listed some of the places they travelled on their recent trip, somewhere in Italy.
Half work, half leisure she detailed the expensive stores she visited and the galas they attended.
Grant Rosebank was the CEO and owner of Rosebank Capital Management, a family-owned investment firm that dipped into just about every market sector from real estate, to tech, even into military.
A person like Grant Rosebank wasn't just invited to parties, parties were thrown in his honor.
Ebony wouldn't have been surprised to learn if the galas her mother referred to were created once word got around the Rosebanks were in town.
Gavin shifted on the curving bench next to her, his heel tapping restlessly on the floor. With her father to her right and Gavin to her left, Ebony sat with her back against the curving windows that overlooked the enormous backyard and pool.
"It sounds like y'all two were having a grand 'ol time.
So, I cannot help but wonder, and I mean this with pure love and devotion, mother dearest," Gavin paused and reached across the table holding their mother's hand in his.
Whitney gave her stepson a knowing look and waited expectantly.
"Just when exactly are you two leaving again?
" Gavin finished and Whitney snatched her hand from his as he laughed.
Ebony looked to their father and watched as Grant bit into his brisket sandwich while keeping his glacial stare pinned to his son.
Eventually he spoke, a slow smile edging across his lips.
"Well, you two do start your first day of senior year tomorrow and there is the upcoming tournament.
I never want to be accused of not being there for my children so how about we just stay until Christmas. "
Ebony nearly choked on her food while her mom gave her husband a sharp look.
Ebony loved her parents, she truly did but the idea of their flighty parents actually being in town for more than a month was unthinkable.
Just the thought of day in and day out having to deal with her overbearing mother, made Ebony ill.
Whitney's sharp tongue of judgement got sharper by the day because she was no doubt growing bored. No thanks.
Grant Rosebank ignored his wife's look of warning and held his son's icy gaze. Ebony wanted to groan. The two men were locked in, like rival elk battling for dominance, neither willing to back down.
Ebony looked at the hard set of her father's jaw and her chest tightened. Dear God, he meant it. The stubborn man would cancel all his plans across the world and stay under this roof for the entire school year if that meant keeping Gavin in his place.
No. She couldn't do it. Call her spoiled or whatever but she was far too accustomed to having them there a handful of weeks out of the year and the house to themselves for the rest of it. She would not let Gavin ruin that, especially not their senior year.
Reaching under the table she pinched Gavin's thigh.
It was like pinching a rock; there was hardly any give. She should've known. Between Taekwondo, wrestling, judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and a crap ton of other martial arts. They all turned Gavin's body into stone, she could stab him with a knife and he wouldn't flinch.