Chapter 9 #2
I slowly open the packet and reach inside, scared for my life. I’m a literal assassin, and this is scaring me? I guess it makes sense. Blanche is the reason my family had to keep Katarina on lockdown her whole life. Regardless of my body count, I’m no match for her.
Forcing my eyes shut, I grab the contents and pull them out. Lucy’s laugh calms me down enough to open my eyes, and the minute I see what’s in my hand, I join her. “A box of table conversation starter cards. Well, I’ll have to admit, I never would’ve guessed that.”
“Are there instructions to do this activity without clothes, too?” Lucy asks.
I dig back into the folder, reading the note Blanche left.
I’m suddenly annoyed we weren’t instructed to do this naked. “Unfortunately, no. But I’ll never turn down the chance to see you strip for me, if you want to.”
Rolling her eyes, Lucy snatches the cards from my hand and flops down on the couch. “Clothes are staying on tonight, mister. Come on, let’s get started.”
I grab us some snacks and drinks from the kitchen before sitting next to her. “Ladies first!” I say, pulling a card from the stack. “What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday?”
She giggles. “That’s easy, the beach. I used to spend any free time I had lying in the sand reading or floating in the ocean waves. It’s the thing I’ve missed the most since moving here.”
“Why did you move here?” I ask, setting the card down.
“Long story short, I’m looking for my dad. Or at least my family on his side. I don’t even know who he is, let alone if he’s alive or not.”
“Why don’t you just ask your mom?” I ask and immediately regret it.
My normally happy Sunshine looks grieved. “My mom passed away a couple of years ago. She never mentioned my father, and the only clue is that he’s linked to…That he’s from this city.”
I can’t stop myself from trying to soothe her.
It’s like the whole universe is off kilter when my sunny girl isn’t smiling.
Sliding closer, I fill the space between us to wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into me.
“I’m so sorry. My mom passed away too, but I was too young to remember much about her before she died, but I have my dad. ” For now.
She looks up at me with tears welling in her eyes. “Oh, Sasha, I can’t imagine that. I would rather miss her for the rest of my life, having known her like I did, than to have lived without the memories we share. I’m truly sorry you don’t remember yours.”
There’s the positivity I’ve come to love. “I love that. I feel the same about my dad and my sister, Kat. She’s actually the reason I’m in this position in the first place. She married Blanche’s eldest son, Henry.”
“Your sister is Henry Sinclair’s wife? Is she really half his age?” Whatever sadness Lucy was feeling is out the window as her curiosity grows.
“Yep, that’s her!” I say, chuckling. “It wasn’t either of their choices, though.
At least not at first. Our families had a marriage contract in place from decades ago that they ended up having to fulfill.
It was a huge ordeal for a minute, but they undoubtedly fell madly in love with one another.
It’s one of those relationships that make you believe soulmates exist. You know what I mean? ”
Lucy turns to face me and pulls her knees underneath her on the cushion. “Do you not believe in soulmates?”
“Fuck no,” I say. But the way her beautiful deep blue eyes shine as she looks at me has me reconsidering everything.
“Oh, well then…” she says, reaching for a card. Sighing, she reads the next question. “What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
“Probably that green shit you made me drink,” I say, causing her to roll her eyes as I choose a card. “If you could master any skill, what would you do?” I ask, sipping a glass of vodka.
Lucy thinks for a minute before blowing my mind. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to tassel twirl.”
I spray my drink everywhere. Lucy is bent over laughing while I’m literally choking on my own saliva. “Jesus fucking Christ,” I cough out. “I think you’re trying to kill me.”
She smacks my back a couple of times in a show of helping my cough before picking up a card. “Your turn,” she purrs. “How do you like to unwind after a long day?”
I can’t stop the grin on my face, and I know I look manic.
In a flash, I grab her hips and pull her to my lab before spinning us so that she’s under me on the couch.
Her little squeak is fucking adorable. “Do I really need to answer that question, Sunshine?” I ask as I slowly press my half-hard cock between her legs.
The way her eyes flash from shock to desire has me ready to risk it all and take her right here.
But she shakes her head, so I do the right thing and get off her.
I reach for a card, but she swipes it from my hand before I can read it out. “Not so fast, mister. You didn’t technically answer that question. It’s still your turn. What’s one lesson you had to learn the hard way?”
I turn away from her, staring off in front of me. “That you don’t always get to pick what you want in life.”
“Sasha?” I feel her hand on my knee, but I grab a card and cut her off before she can continue.
“What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received?” I ask.
She moves her hand, sensing the change of tone, and whispers her response.
“My mom made me a bracelet one year for my birthday. We were well enough off, but I went to a school with rich, rich kids. There was a trendy bracelet going around that was well out of our price range, and I knew that. I never really asked about it, but I guess she saw some of my online searches. It looked just like the brand-name version too. When I opened the box, I was mad. I thought she had spent my college fund on a flimsy piece of jewelry. I started giving her a speech about how irresponsible it was of her to do that when she burst out laughing. I couldn’t believe she had created something so beautiful, to be honest. She was always crafty enough, but this was next level.
I still have it, but…I never wear it anymore. ”
God, this woman. This fucking ray of light that’s come into my life. Of course her favorite gift was something handmade and sentimental. I take her hand and place a gentle kiss on her knuckles before lacing her fingers in mine and resting it on my thigh. Without saying a word, I pass her a card.
She smiles at me as she takes it from me. “If you could find out anything about the future, what would it be?”
I smile softly, squeezing her hand. “That’s easy. I’d like to know how much time I have left.” With you.
Her brows furrow in confusion as she searches my eyes. “Sasha? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Sunshine, don’t worry about…”
I’m cut off by the ringing of my phone. I don’t even have to look to know whose ringtone that is. Dad’s. “I’ve gotta take this,” I say, standing up from the couch and walking outside to find a private place to take this call.
When I’ve made it a safe distance, I answer. “What’s up, Dad?” I try my best to listen to the report he gives me every week to keep me in the loop, but all I can think of is the light coming from inside the cottage.