by Brynne Asher
“You don’t understand.” Her voice turns harsh and she fully turns to me. “They’re uppity, pretentious, and my mom’s basically a bitch. Who knows if my father will even be there because of work, and my mom will be downright mean to you because she wants me with Weston.”
I unhook my seatbelt, leaning into her and lower my voice. “Are they going to capture me, hang me by one arm, and dislocate my shoulder?”
A horrified look comes across her face and she whispers, “What?”
“Are they going to beat me with a pipe, break my ribs and put a gash in my head?”
Her trembling hands come to the sides of my face. “That … that’s what happened to you?”
“That and more.”
“Who did that to you?” her disturbed voice goes high.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is I doubt that’s gonna happen to me today or tomorrow, so I’m trying to tell you that I don’t care if your father is there, I can deal with your mom being a bitch, and I’m looking forward to meeting your brother.”
She runs her index finger lightly over the scar on my hairline. It’s still red, but over time it should fade. She murmurs, “I can’t believe that happened to you.”
“Maya,” I call for her and she gives me her troubled, light blue eyes. “I want you.”
She exhales as her fingers tense on me. Her face goes slack.
“Even with all I’ve been through, because I want you, I’ll endure anything for you.”
Her eyes well instantly and she moves up in her seat to put her mouth on mine. I cup the back of her head to keep her close.
When she pulls away, her eyes are still wet, but she doesn’t look as troubled, so I ask, “How does your mom feel about dessert?”
She gives me a small smile. “You can’t have a proper five course meal without dessert.”
“Something to look forward to,” I murmur before pulling her to me again. When I finally let her go, I say, “Let’s get you to your brother.”
She nods, sitting back in her seat and buckles. I pull out onto the road and she directs me the rest of the way.
A few minutes later, I pull into a drive with security cameras everywhere, and an attendant waiting in the security booth. Before I roll my window down, Maya reaches over and squeezes my forearm. “Let me handle this.”
When I look over at her, all of a sudden, she’s sitting up straighter and has a weird air of confidence I’m not used to seeing. “Whatever you say.”
When I roll down the window, the security guard walks up, holding an iPad and walkie-talkie. He’s about to say something when Maya interrupts him. “Hello, Charlie.”
Charlie does a double take, his eyes widening, looking across me to the passenger seat. Surprised, but in a pleasant way, he greets her happily. “Miss Augustine. You’re back.”
She smiles. “I am. How are you? Your family?”
“Very well, Miss Augustine, thank you. The baby’s finally sleeping through the night.”
“That’s great. Can you let us through please? We’ll be staying overnight, but leaving around lunchtime tomorrow.”
He types something into his iPad, but looks up and with a little grimace. “I just need to search your vehicle. Mrs. Augustine’s orders.”
My gun’s on my ankle but I have another in my bag. My eyes dart to Maya, and she’s shaking her head smiling, not at all concerned. “But, Charlie, it’s me.”
“Ma’am.” He nods and apologizes. “I’m sorry, but your mother was adamant. Every vehicle.”
“Really?” she acts shocked. “She couldn’t have meant me. Don’t worry, you won’t hear a thing about it. I’ll speak to my father at once.”
Charlie seems to be warring with himself over dealing with Mrs. Augustine. From the sounds of it, I don’t blame him.
“I guess,” he reaches for a remote hooked on his belt and the heavy gates open in front of us.
“Give that baby a squeeze for me,” Maya calls as I’m closing my window. It’s not until we’re through the gates that she says, “See? She’s a bitch.”
I look over at her. “You think she did that to fuck with us?”
She sighs. “I think she did that to fuck with you, to throw her power around. Fucking with me is just a bonus.”
I shake my head and reach over to squeeze her hand. “Child’s play, baby. Don’t worry about it.”
She says nothing but sighs again as she looks out her window.
The property is large, and we wind around a few times before the house comes into view—if you can call it a house. It’s fucking huge. I pull up the drive that circles the front with a turn off to the many garages on the side.
When I put it in park, I hear from my side, “I’m sorry for all the bullshit that’s about to happen.”
When I look to her, she appears as excited as one would be to step into an ice bath.
I grin. “I’m not worried. I told you I’m good with women. I can handle it.”
I turn to get out and meet her on her side, locking the car on the way up to the house. Grabbing her hand to hold it tight, we move up the wide massive steps toward the double doors.
“You’re really slumming it at the vineyard, huh?”
I hear a laugh burst from her, and when I look down, she’s shaking her head. “Shut up.”
We barely hit the top step when one of the heavy doors opens for us. A middle-aged woman dressed in black pants and a white shirt greets us with a warm smile, but speaks to Maya specifically. “Welcome home, Miss Augustine.”
I might’ve been surprised, thinking she exaggerated about her mom if I hadn’t done my research and know this is definitely not Maya’s mother.
“It’s good to see you, Marilyn,” Maya says.
We step through the front door, and the only thing in sight is a Christmas tree, standing in the middle of the spacious opening. I’m not sure where someone would get a tree this big, or even how they’d get it through the door.
I barely get the chance to take in the house Maya grew up in, not at all seeing the object of my obsession fitting into this environment, when I hear footsteps echoing through the vast space. Heels, more specifically. The quick cadence of a woman who’s walking with attitude. I stand casually, and brush the back of Maya’s hand with my thumb when I feel her tense.
Just like the Christmas present from hell, she appears from around the side of the perfectly-decorated tree.
I recognize her from the pictures included in Maya’s background, but instead of a smiling, pleasant woman from a posed portrait taken at a charity event, she’s scowling. Dressed in white pants, it’s clear to see she’s not only taken care of, but also takes care of herself. Her black sweater strategically hangs off one shoulder, leaving it bare to show off her jewels. The woman is dripping in diamonds. It’s just after lunch, for fuck’s sake.
Vanessa Augustine barely gives me a glance before she takes in her daughter from head to toe while shaking her head. Putting a hand to her hip while hitching her heeled foot, she takes the universal bitch stance when she says to Maya, “Well, Joseph said you were bringing a man. I didn’t believe it, but here you are.” She tosses out her hand that’s not perched on her hip, and adds, “I can’t believe you traveled like that.”
I look down at Maya, not understanding what Vanessa means, because Maya’s hot. It was all I could do not to put her back to the couch on the plane and relax her again. Not that my hand would’ve fit down her jeans—they’re that tight.
Maya sounds nothing but exasperated when she replies, “It’s lovely to see you, too, Mother.”
“Don’t Moth
er me,” she snips. “You’ve been gone for months and think you can just waltz in here with no ramifications. Do you know what you’ve put us through?”
“Mother—” Maya tries again, but she’s interrupted.
“It’s embarrassing.” Vanessa leans forward to enunciate her words, as if anyone would think she’s shitting us. “I have had to make excuses, telling our friends you were traveling, staying at the Villa in Turin, trying to find yourself. Nancy’s been worried sick because of what you’ve put Weston through. I hope you plan to get yourself together soon.” Her eyes shoot to me for a second, before looking back to Maya. “And come home for good. Alone.”
Ignoring her mom’s words, Maya holds her ground and gestures to me. “Mother, I’d like you to meet Grady Cain.” Maya looks up to me with a raised eyebrow, silently giving me an I told you so look. “My mother, Vanessa Augustine.”
I try to hide my smirk and look back to the Wicked Witch of New York. Letting go of Maya, I step forward offering my hand and do my best not to sound sarcastic. “It’s a pleasure.”
Even though she doesn’t look like she wants to, I’m sure her social niceties take over and she puts her cold, firm hand in mine for a quick shake. “I’m sure it is.” Looking back to Maya she goes on. “Your room is ready and the guest room is available for him.”
I’m about to object, but Maya beats me to the punch. “We’ll take the guest house.”
Well, that’s even better. I should’ve assumed there’d be a guest house.
Vanessa’s face turns hard. “You will not.”
“We will,” Maya counters. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I came to see Joe and want to do that right away.”
Vanessa narrows her eyes, but doesn’t say another word about the room assignments. But what she does say, surprises us both. “Dinner will be served at seven, cocktails at six-thirty.”
“Seriously,” Maya complains. “There’s no reason for all the pomp and circumstance. I’m only here to see Joe, we’ll be gone by noon tomorrow.”
Vanessa Augustine drops her arms and stands as straight as she can. A smile creeps over her face, and I can see if she weren’t being a bitch, she could be pretty. Not as beautiful as Maya, but still, pretty.
That’s until her smile turns into a sneer. “We’re having guests—the MacLachlans. Ron and Nancy would like to see you, and I’m sure you can imagine Weston has been out of his mind worried. He’s anxious to make amends and offer you a fresh start.”
“Mother—” Maya exclaims.
“Ah, I remember Wes,” I interrupt and Vanessa finally acknowledges me with a scowl. I go on to note, “Interesting guy. He can’t seem to take no for an answer, but you’ve gotta give him credit for persistence. What’s for dinner?”
She doesn’t tell me what’s for dinner, but she does glare at me and I can’t help but wonder if Maya was switched at birth. There’s no way they can be related.
“I suppose I’ll arrange for your bags to be delivered to the guest house,” she says.
“No need,” I answer quickly. “I can get our bags.”
It seems only commoners carry their own bags, because she rolls her eyes, and turns to walk away with more attitude than before, if possible.
We’re left standing alone, under the monster Christmas tree and within the walls of the massive structure Maya grew up in.
I’m not sure if Maya’s either more surprised or freaked about us having dinner with her mobster ex fiancé and his mobster family, so I turn to her and say, “Well, this is gonna be more fun than I thought. We should stay for a week.”
She pulls her hands up and runs them through her hair, tightening them at the back. “Fucking hell.”
“Your mom could’ve gotten a bigger tree. She didn’t try very hard,” I go on.
Maya shakes her head. “I hate her.”
I agree and have nothing else to add, so I ask, “Is there anything to do? There’s gotta be a bowling alley or an indoor basketball court.”
“She arranged for him to come to dinner. I knew she’d do something, but not this.”
I pull her into my arms, and point out the obvious, “They can’t make you marry him. We’ll eat dinner—hopefully the food will be good—and finally prove to them all you will not be marrying Weston MacLachlan. What can happen?”
She looks up at me and sighs. “The possibilities are endless.”
“You’re right, they are,” I agree. “Don’t worry about it now, let’s go see your brother. When we’re done bowling, I want to see the guesthouse.”
She finally smiles. “There’s no bowling alley.”
I try to frown, but it’s hard while watching her smile. “Well this mansion fucking sucks. I bet Charles Schwab has a bowling alley. Or … I don’t know, some other old, rich guy.”
She laughs and lifts up to her toes to kiss me. “Come on, let’s go see Joe.”
“Okay,” I agree and take her hand to let her lead me to her brother. “Just don’t leave me alone—Vanessa will corner me just to glare at me some more.”
With that, her laugh echoes through the paneled walls and marble floors.
All I can do is think about dinner, and for once, I’m not thinking about the food.
Chapter 18 – I Settled
Grady –
After leading me through long hallways decorated with more Christmas shit, we finally reach the library. And it’s just that—a huge fucking library with books lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The minute we step through the double doors, Maya screams and tears her hand out of mine, running to her brother. She throws herself in his arms and he catches her, only stumbling back a step or two.
Joe is lanky and taller than Maya by a few inches. Even though his hair is darker than hers, they share the same light blue eyes, and it’s clear to see they’re related.
I lean back into the leather sofa as I watch her with her brother. She talks about Joe a lot. I can tell they’re close. I understand why she was so upset to find out he’s had multiple seizures in the last few months and needed to see him. I guess it was so serious, he withdrew from his classes at St. John’s in Brooklyn, where he’s in his junior year.
Joe’s seven years younger than her. Maya said he was probably an accident—as her mother isn’t the mothering type. It’s why she felt the need to see for herself that he was okay, especially after not talking to him for months.
We’ve been talking to Joe for almost two hours, and Maya has grilled him on everything from doctor appointments to his medication. Joe gave her the lowdown—how he had two episodes at school before their dad forced him to come home, and how he thought he was doing okay until he had another just last week. He wasn’t happy about leaving school, complaining about having to be home, but since he’s been back he’s been working with a medical response dog that will soon be with him full-time.
He finally puts a stop to her line of questioning, and leans back in his chair across from where we’re sitting. “Was it that bad? That you had to run away?”
She leans into my side since I have my arm thrown over the back of the sofa behind her. She looks down to her hands before back to her brother. “I left, didn’t I? I don’t want to get into it now. I can’t.”
He looks from his sister to me and tips his head curiously. “How did you meet my sister?”
I shrug my bum shoulder that’s feeling almost back to normal. “She’s my physical therapist.”
He narrows his eyes. “How long have you known each other?”
“A few—” Maya starts to answer, but I interrupt.
“A while.” I look down at Maya and I can tell she’s trying to h
ide the surprise in her eyes. “It’s hard to believe, huh?” I tighten my arm around her, pulling her to me and look back to Joe. “The days fly by.”
Joe nods and looks to his sister inquisitively, speaking directly to her. “Not that I mind, Weston’s an asshole. I’ve been trying to tell you that for the last couple years, but the jury’s still out on this guy. I know nothing about him.”
I hold up a conciliatory hand, and add, “I’m not perfect, but I’m also not his brand of asshole. That, you don’t have to worry about.”
She gives me a small smile before looking back to Joe. “We’re still new.”
“We’re not that new,” I counter.
She sighs, shaking her head and looks back to her brother. “You know mom invited all the MacLachlans for dinner?”
Joe shakes his head. “I’d ask why the fuck she’d do that, but I’m not surprised, and you shouldn’t be, either. She grilled me when I told her you were bringing someone. She wouldn’t give up, so I told her I know nothing about your new guy. Tonight should be fun.”
Maya brings her fingers to her temples, looking pained. “I can’t even think about it.”
“Hey,” I give her a squeeze. “It’ll be over soon.”
Joe looks at his watch. “Sorry, I have a meeting with my new dog and the K-9 trainer. She won’t be ready for a couple months, but having her means I can go back to school next year. And she’ll be a chick magnet, not that I have a problem in that department.” He grins before adding, “I guess I’ll see you at the dinner from hell.”
“Yeah, we’ll see you for cocktails,” Maya mocks her mother and gets up to hug Joe. When she lets him go, she adds, “Whatever you can do to divert the attention away from me tonight, I’d appreciate it.”
Joe grins, and by the look on his face, I’d say he’s looking forward to it. “Maybe tonight will be fun. I love a chance to piss off mom.” He looks from Maya to me and instantly loses his smile. “You’d better not be an asshole.”
“Stop it.” She says as he leaves.
