She smiled, but her point was well-taken. True, he hadn’t been by the Wellses’ home as often as he’d visited in the past. In the past weeks, he, Isobel and Aiden had settled into a cautious but peaceful routine. A truce that included Isobel in his bed, where they fucked until neither could move. God, she stripped him of his control, and that both terrified and thrilled him. Intimidated him and freed him.
It was the terror and intimidation that kept his mouth sealed shut when she slipped out of his bed in the dark, early mornings, returning to her room and leaving him alone. She never slept the night through with him. That bothered and relieved him.
Relieved him because the intimacy of sharing a bed smacked of a relationship, a vulnerability he wasn’t ready to reveal to her. He’d given that trust to one woman, and she’d screwed him, literally and figuratively.
Bothered him because her sneaking out like he was her dirty secret didn’t sit well with him.
“So you’re here because you miss me?” he teased, deliberately dismissing his disquieting thoughts.
Helena’s smile dimmed just a fraction, taking on a faintly rueful tinge. “Of course I do, darling. We all do. But I have another reason for coming to you. Next week is Thanksgiving. What are your plans?”
He stifled a sigh. Him joining them for the holidays was a tradition. But this year, it wasn’t only him.
“I haven’t discussed it with Isobel yet. She might want to spend the holiday with her family. And if that’s her choice, I can come by the house afterward.”
Anger flashed in her eyes, and she thinned her lips. “I see,” she finally said. “You have a new family, whose wishes come first.”
“Helena—”
“No.” She sliced a hand through the air. “I’m glad you said that, it makes my next reason for being here easier to say.” Her chin hiked up. “I want a DNA test for Aiden.”
Shock whipped through him, and he stiffened under the blow of it. “What?”
“We want a DNA test,” she repeated. “Yes, Aiden does resemble Gage, but that’s not enough. In order for us to erase any doubt, we need to know he’s Gage’s son. And that can only be answered with a paternity test.” Her features softened, and she settled a hand over his knee, squeezing lightly. “I need this, Darius.”
His first reaction had been to flat-out refuse, but then reason crept in. Would having a DNA test done be so wrong? It would cement that Aiden was indeed Gage’s son, and once the Wellses had the truth, they could finally lay this issue to rest and move on. He could give them that; he owed them that.
Isobel. He briefly closed his eyes.
Isobel wouldn’t agree, just as she hadn’t years ago. She would view it as an insult, but if it could facilitate healing... Yes, she would be angry about him going behind her back, but the results...how could she argue with the results when it meant the Wellses laying down their swords and Aiden having all of his family in his life, without doubts?
Meeting Helena’s gaze, Darius nodded. “I’ll arrange it.”
Satisfaction flared in the blue depths. “Thank you, Darius. Another thing? Let’s keep this between us for now. Baron doesn’t know I’m here, and I don’t want this impacting his health. So when you have the results, please contact me.”
Unease over the further request for secrecy ate at him, but again he nodded.
“I should go,” she murmured, standing. But then she hesitated, staring at him. “You’re like a son to me, Darius,” she said, steel entering her tone, belying the sentimental words. “And I love you, which is why I believe I have the right to say this to you. Gage fell for Isobel’s sweet, innocent act, and look how he ended up. Betrayed, broken, angry...and dead. I would want to die myself if she did the same to you. So please, Darius, be careful, and don’t succumb to the same game. Just...be aware, because Isobel is not who she pretends to be.”
Darius didn’t stop Helena as she left his office. After the door shut with a soft click, he slowly rose, her words of caution whirling inside his head.
Pleasebe careful, and don’t succumb to the same game... Isobel is not who she pretends to be.
He shook his head as if he could dislodge them, but they clung to him like burrs. Anger continued to dog him the rest of the day, nipping at him. He’d refused to play the fool again. But with Helena’s warning ringing in his head, he couldn’t shake the thought that her words had come a little too late.
Darius shoved open the front door to his house, the usual peace it brought him as he stepped into the foyer absent. His day had gone from hell to shit. By the time he left, hours earlier than his usual time, his employees had probably tossed confetti in the air as the elevator doors closed behind him. And if he were honest, he wouldn’t blame them. His mood had been dark ever since Helena’s impromptu visit, and even now, shutting the door behind him, he couldn’t shake it loose.
He needed a drink. And time alone. Then, he mused, heading toward his study, he’d go find Aiden and Isobel. It wouldn’t be fair to inflict his attitude on them.
What the fuck?
He slammed to a halt in the doorway of the study, shock winding through him like frigid sleet.
Gage fell for her sweet, innocent act, and look how he ended up. Betrayed, broken, angry...Pleasebe careful, and don’t succumb to the same game... Isobel is not who she pretends to be.
As they had all day, Helena’s words tripped through his brain, growing louder and louder with each pass.
Isobel sat on the couch in his study, with her head bent close to the man perched next to her.
