“Mr. Controlling,” Mae teases. “I bet that was difficult since you had no idea.”
I finally chance another glance at my sister, and I hate that I’m responsible for the look on her face.
Maybe we should change the subject.
“How wasyour day,Stevie?”
Her eyes rapidly blink as if trying to collect herself. “Um, yeah, fine.”
“Stevie owns a mortuary,” I tell everyone, full of pride for my sister.
“She mentioned that,” Sebastian says.
Mae turns to my sister with a smile. “Yeah, she was telling us about it the other day at breakfast. And you will be staying with us too, right, Stevie?”
“It looks like I will.”
“Good. I can’t wait to hear all your stories from the mortuary.” Mae brings her wine glass to her lips and sips it.
I catch asubtle but genuine smile on my sister’s face at Mae’s comment, and it makes me grateful to have included her. I’m sure after tonight’s dinner conversation she’ll have a lot of questions and will probably need to process things all over again—especially in light of the new events.
We spend the rest of the evening talking about Stevie’s business, my writing, and small bits about how we grew up. After dinner,Stevie and I walk back to my room hand in hand like when we were kids.
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“I know. Me too,” she says with a light hearted eye roll not wanting to admit she’s intrigued by this family too.
“I’m sure you want to talk about the conversation we had at dinner…” I trail off, not sure if I should breach the subject again.
“Yeah, what the hell was that? What did they mean about youstabbing a guy?”
I take a deep breath as we approach my bedroom door, knowing it’s going to be another long night of questions from Stevie.
“I’ll answer any questions you have. I’ll also do my best at explaining everything from how I’m feeling, even though I’m still processing it myself.”
I don’t want to keep things from her anymore, and I really want her to accept what we’re doing. There’s a difference between hearing about it and actually experiencing it. This is the new me and it’s important my sister accepts who I am.
Chapter 31
Lux
It’s mid-morning when an uneasy feeling wakes me from my sleep. I open my eyes to find an empty space on River’s side of the bed, and it saddens me.
After spending the rest of the night with Stevie, I came to River’s room once she fell asleep. I can tell she’s still working through processing it all, but compared to a typical person, my sister is handling everything much better than I expected. Perhaps we’re more alike than I thought.
I climb out of River’s bed and throw on a black silk robe. After a quick peek in the bathroom and closet, I assume he’s in his office working. I tiptoe across the hallway of the North Wing and see his office door ajar. Recalling what happened last time I went in there and found the cameras, I think there isn’t much more he can hide at this point. Before barging in, I peek my head through the cracked door to see him sitting at his desk, talking at his computer screen.
Pushing the door slightly more open, I wait for only a moment for him to glance up from his computer screen. With how private River is, I’m not sure he’ll be all right with me here.
Maybe I should go back to his room.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, he sees me and his face instantly lights up. Butterflies fill my stomach as I give him a smile. Then he gives me a quick wave, motioning for me to come in.
I tiptoe to the leather couch below the windowpane. It sounds like he’s in a virtual meeting with some people from his company, Thompson Innovations.
“The lip gloss Taser is performing well in the field?” River asks, his gaze unwavering as they stay locked on me from across the room.
“Yes,” a male voice from the call exclaims. “We’re pleased with the preliminary results.”
