Chapter Twenty-Six Den of Wolves
JAYCE
That evening, Sutton and I walk together through the massive mahogany doors of my parents’ house. I have my hand on the small of her back, so I can feel how tense she is.
She glances up at me, a small but warm smile flickering across her lips.
I reach for her coat.
“Let me,” I murmur.
She turns so I can slip it from her shoulders, and for a moment I just take her in.
She looks beautiful in a long-sleeve green silk Gucci dress that has a high collar and bow around her neck, and a matching green silk belt with a golden buckle.
It’s obvious she’s taken a lot of care with her hair and makeup, arranging her long brown locks into an elegant knot at the back of her head that hides the teal color underneath completely.
Part of me wishes she’d show off the teal, but I know she’s doing everything she can to make a good first impression.
I hate that she feels the need to hide a part of herself.
I can’t exactly blame her, though… there is plenty I try to keep hidden from my family myself.
I hand her coat to the house staff member waiting nearby, then return to her side. My hand settles back on her lower back, steady and protective as voices drift toward us from deeper in the house.
“You can still run,” I whisper, nudging her.
She huffs a quiet laugh. “And let your family think I’m chicken shit? Absolutely not.”
I glance around the large foyer with its gleaming marble floor, crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and sweeping spiral staircase. It’s so surreal having Sutton here. “Not chicken shit,” I say. “It’s more like, well, do you have a sense of self-preservation?”
She shoots me a grin. “You make it sound like we’re walking into a den of hungry wolves.”
“You’re not that far off,” I mutter, guiding her further inside, rubbing small circles on her back.
I try to keep my voice light and teasing, but part of me is worried that someone will say something to trigger Sutton’s anxiety and panic.
Ryan in particular could prove difficult given his penchant for saying whatever he wants to get a reaction from those around him.
The sudden sound of heels clicking against marble is the only warning we get before my mom appears on the first-floor landing above and starts making her way down the staircase.
“Right on time,” she declares, offering us a polite but cold smile as she approaches us.
She’s wearing a Dior sleeveless black blazer dress with a high collar and black leather belt around her waist. Reaching Sutton, she takes her hands and her smile warms ever so slightly.
“Sutton, welcome. I’m so happy you could come. ”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Sutton replies.
Mom’s gaze flicks to my hand at Sutton’s back, then to my face. Something unreadable passes through her expression before she smiles again.
“Jayce never brings people home,” she says.
Sutton glances sideways at me. “Is that true?”
“It’s exaggerated,” I say.
Hallie’s voice suddenly floats down the hall. “It’s absolutely not exaggerated.”
She comes hurrying into view, barefoot in a Dolce and Gabbana lavender jumpsuit, her black hair loose and flowing around her shoulders. When she spots Sutton, her blue gaze goes wide with excitement and she rushes forward.
“Oh my God, you’re even prettier in person!” my sister exclaims, immediately taking Sutton’s arm. “Come on, I’ve been dying to meet you.”
Sutton lets out a hesitant laugh, but doesn’t pull away. “I feel like I should be nervous.”
“You should be,” Hallie says cheerfully. “But mostly about Ryan, not us.”
“Hallie,” Mom sighs. “Can you please behave yourself?”
Hallie rolls her eyes. “Chill, Mom. We don’t want Sutton thinking we’re a family of stiffs.”
She starts dragging Sutton away, who throws a glance back at me over her shoulder, looking somewhat uncertain.
I give her a reassuring nod and follow after them.
Mom lets out a huff of breath and falls into step beside me. “Your sister is too wild for her own good.”
“She’s just excited,” I shrug.
Mom purses her lips together, clearly displeased, but doesn’t say anything further. She knows better than to rant about Hallie to me. I don’t tolerate it.
When we walk into the dining room, Grandfather, Dad, and Ryan are standing together beside the table, chatting softly, each holding a glass of amber liquor. They turn to us as we enter. Grandfather smiles warmly, his eyes settling on Sutton.
“There she is!” He makes his way over to her.
Hallie releases her so he can wrap his arms around her in a tight hug.
Sutton’s eyes go wide with surprise. When Grandfather pulls back, he rests his hands on her shoulders and studies her face with a kind twinkle in his gaze.
“Welcome, my dear. It is so good to meet you at last.”
I’m surprised by how good it feels at this moment— seeing her and Grandfather together. He’s the one family member I most wanted her to meet. Suddenly coming here feels like it might be worth it after all. Maybe.
Sutton smiles warmly at him.
“It’s good to meet you too, sir,” she replies politely. Then, with a nod of her head, she turns to Dad and Ryan. “I’m happy to meet you both, as well. I’m Sutton. I guess you all know that, already.”
Dad nods, reaching out to shake her hand. “I’m Alexander. We’re happy to have you, Sutton.”
“Ryan.” That’s all my brother says, the prick, but Sutton appears unfazed, maintaining her polite smile.
I warned her about him on our drive over. She had asked why he would leak those photos, and I had to give her an idea of how underhanded he can be.
“He’s trying to convince my family that I’m irresponsible and can’t be trusted,” I’d told her as I drove, hands gripped tight on the steering wheel.
“He wants the CEO position for himself, and my dad favors him so if the two of them had their way, I would be out. Luckily, my grandfather doesn’t agree, and he’s all that matters.
Be careful around him and don’t take anything he says personally. He’ll just be trying to fuck with me.”
Sutton frowned. “Why does your dad favor your brother?”
“My grandfather built the company from the ground up,” I’d explained. “When my dad was younger, he believed that marrying my mom would make him the next CEO. My grandfather more or less promised it at the time.”
“And then didn’t follow through?” Sutton guessed.
“Not even close,” I replied with a sigh. “He made my dad VP instead.”
She’d looked surprised, her brows shooting up.
“Your dad must’ve been furious.”
“Oh, he was. Still is, honestly. He’s spent decades resenting my grandfather for it. In his mind, he did everything right. Married the woman from the right family, stayed loyal to the company, played the role he thought he was supposed to play. And he still didn’t get the top job.”
Then Sutton asked the billion-dollar question.“Why didn’t your grandfather go through with it?”
I’d considered my answer carefully. “My guess? He saw my dad for what he really was. How he treated my mom…what he really married her for. Ryan’s always kissed Dad’s ass because our Grandfather always favored me, which isn’t really right, but I think Grandfather’s just really good at judging people’s characters. ”
“Yikes. You guys really have issues, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
I’m shaken from these memories of the drive by the sound of Grandfather’s gentle voice.
“Come, sit! I’m eager to get to know you.
” Grandfather guides Sutton toward the head of the table and pulls a chair out for her to the right of his own seat.
She settles into the chair and Grandfather sits as well.
I go to claim the chair across from her, and Hallie takes the seat beside her.
Ryan drops down next to me, Mom sits next to him, and Dad takes the chair opposite Grandfather on the other end of the table.
Dad is scowling, no doubt irritated that Grandfather swooped in and snagged Sutton first, and then didn’t bother introducing him or Ryan.
An oversight on Grandfather’s part given his excitement, no doubt, but Dad is definitely taking it as a slight that he had to introduce himself.
“So,” Dad says once everyone is seated, forcibly claiming the attention of the room, “Sutton, Jayce tells us you’re an architect at Holloway Architecture.”
“Yes, sir,” she says.
“Your family’s lofty reputation precedes you,” he continues.
“So I’ve been told.”
My grandfather leans forward, eyes piercing.
“You plan to take over the firm?” he asks bluntly.
“Yes,” she says, her tone confident and her head held high. She clearly loves the directness of Grandfather’s question. “I’m working toward becoming CEO.”
Ryan lets out a soft laugh, lifting his glass.
“Bold goal,” he murmurs. “Family companies don’t usually hand the throne to someone just because they want it.”
Sutton’s jaw tightens and she lifts her hand, clearly wanting to bite her nails, but she stops herself and maintains her composure. I shoot Ryan a warning glare.
“She’s not asking for it,” I say calmly. “She’s earning it.”
Ryan’s eyes flick to me. “Where have I heard that before?”
Hallie groans. “God, you’re such an asshole, Ryan.”
Ryan smirks. “Just making conversation.”
Hallie turns to Sutton. “Ignore him. He interrogates everyone who looks remotely competent because he’s threatened by them.”
Ryan tilts his head. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Hallie replies, shooting him a glare. “Especially when it’s a woman who’s clearly better than him.”
The table goes quiet for half a second, tension thickening the air. Damn it. We couldn’t act like a normal fucking family for five minutes before the usual resentments came out. I was hoping I’d have a little longer before Sutton realized just how cold and distant my family really is.
My mother clears her throat, breaking the silence. “Sutton, are you working on anything currently?”