Page 4 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck
I’m not sure I’d have mourned his passing.
I pushed a smile to my face, hoping I looked pleased to see him, even though I wasn’t. I’d extended my trip to London to study journalism abroad by a few months just to avoid having to live at home for the summer before the fall semester started at my university. Then, I’d gotten back to New York and went straight into classes at my university. I’d not been home once since the semester had begun, at least not until now.
Nile raked a rather odd look over me before quickly schooling his face and coming right for me. “Hello, Rachael,” he said. “Welcome home.”
“Hi,” I replied. “Who were your friends?”
“Come again?” he asked.
“The men I just saw leaving,” I returned with a nod in the direction of the back door.
He regarded me critically. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about. There were no other men here.”
The hell there weren’t. I’d seen them. “Uh, the guys in robes. You were talking with them by the back door. I think one had a symbol on his forehead.”
“Ah, the life of a college coed,” he said, coming even closer. “Late nights, parties, it all takes a toll. I’m guessing your little friends have been dragging you to countless parties after not seeing you for a year while you were away in London. Clearly, you’re run-down and tired. It’s making you imagine things.”
“I didn’t imagine anything,” I protested. My friends hadn’t dragged me anywhere. “I saw two men with you. Why are you acting like it didn’t happen?”
Unease settled through me at the way his eyes seemed to harden. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Rachael. There is no story to be found here. Notitillating…” he said, his dark gaze sliding to my chest and lingering there for a long, pregnant pause before returning to my face again, “…tale to be discovered.”
I bit my tongue to keep from saying anything that would start an argument. I managed a semi-believable grin. “Right. Sorry.”
Nile extended his arms and pulled me against him with enough force to cause the air to swoosh from my lungs. It felt less like a hug and more like a boa constrictor was wrapping around me. Then he clamped his arms behind my back, effectively pinning me in place as he squeezed me tightly.
It hurt.
A lot.
I whimpered and could have sworn I heard the softest of laughs come from him. “Uncle Nile. Too tight.”
He put his lips near my ear. “It’s so good to have you home, niece. I do so hope you enjoyed your time away.”
I managed to get enough play to move my arms up. I pushed on his chest, trying to put space between us.
He didn’t let me move. “So, did you?”
“Did I what?” I asked, my voice coming out as more of a squeak than anything else.
“Enjoy your time away?” he asked, keeping me locked against him. “I gave you nearly a year and a half.”
“Gave me?”
What did he mean by that? The cost of my time away had been paid for out of my inheritance. Specifically, the money my father had ensured was set aside for my education. I’d not taken anything from Nile.
“You do realize had I put my foot down on you leaving the country, Henry would have forbidden it, right?” he asked. “You may think he is in charge, but in the end, he will always obey me.”
I squirmed against him. “Nile, you’re holding me too tight.”
“Am I?” he asked, keeping his grip the same. “Sometimes I forget my own strength.”
I teared up.
He eased his hold slightly but stayed pressed to me. He then took a deep breath near my hair.
My eyes widened. “Nile?”
“It pleases me greatly to have you home, where you should be,” he said.
