Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“I’m not his keeper, in case you haven’t noticed. He’s a grown man.”
“He was supposed to be here.”
“And he’s not, but I am. I’m happy to see you, by the way. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
With a sigh, I walk into the kitchen and help myself to a can of seltzer from the refrigerator.
“You’re in a mood,” she says. She turns to the designer, who is making notes into her laptop. “Go get the fabrics in the bedroom situated, will you?” she asks the woman.
“Yes, Mrs. Augustine,” the designer says, taking the hint.
Once she’s gone, Mom walks toward the counter that divides the kitchen from the living and dining rooms. “How was your visit to the Averys?”
Before I answer, the door opens, and my brother walks in. He pauses on the threshold, and I’m not sure if he’s surprised to see me here or if it’s the state of the place that halts him.
“Christ,” he mutters, taking off his coat and hanging it in the closet before stepping inside, making a point of taking exaggerated steps around various boxes and pieces of furniture the designer must have brought. “Is there room for me?” he asks in a teasing tone. He walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. “I’m hungry. Anyone want a sandwich?”
“No, thanks,” I say while my brother takes out the makings of a roast beef sandwich, which he begins to assemble.
“Santos was just about to tell us about his visit to the Avery house,” Mom says.
“How did it go?” Caius asks as he smears mustard onto his bread, then picks up the sandwich and takes an enormous bite. “Mmm. You guys sure you don’t want any?”
“Wipe your mouth.” Mom hands him a napkin. I’m pretty sure he does it to annoy her.
“You and I need to talk,” I tell Caius.
“Hold on,” Mom interrupts. “What happened? They suspect something?”
“Well, Camilla apparently heard Thiago arranging a meeting at the lighthouse.”
“Of course it would be that little bitch to hear it,” Mom says.
Caius mutters a curse through his giant mouthful. “So, they know he was out there?” he finally asks after swallowing.
I shake my head. “Only Camilla overheard the conversation, apparently, and it doesn’t sound like she’s told anyone.”
“Not yet,” Mom says. “I’m sure she has a plan. Waiting for the perfect moment to do the most damage.”
“If I know Camilla, she is going to see how this plays out for her,” Caius says. “Thiago and Bea are the only people capable of keeping her in line. She may want Thiago out of the way as much as we do.”
“What do you know about Camilla?” I ask, stuck on that.
Caius turns to me, confused. He studies me for a beat too long before responding, “Apart from her being a fucking psychopath, you mean?”
“He’s right,” Mom chimes in. “She’ll wait. Bide her time. I want to see what Bea does. She’s the one to watch for now. It won’t serve her to spread her version of history, not right now, not without Thiago to handle the consequences. We just need to make sure she and Camilla know exactly what those consequences would be sooner rather than later. We can’t give them a chance to regroup.”
“What would the consequences be exactly, Mother?” I ask.
She gives me an exasperated look. “Isn’t that your area of expertise?”
“My area of expertise?” I ask, feeling my eyebrows rise as I wonder about her meaning. Is it because of what I’ve done, what I’m experienced in doing? The violence I’ve committed?
“I don’t know. Men’s work, I mean. Isn’t that what your father used to say?” she backtracks.
With Thiago gone, the Avery family will be vulnerable—at least until they figure out he’s not coming back and reorganize themselves. I have no doubt Bea Avery will be able to move into the role of head of household, but it will take time. She works better behind the scenes. Camilla is young, immature, and spoiled. For her, anything having to do with me is personal. But I saw how she commanded that soldier earlier, and I think she’s one to keep an eye on because she may be the most cunning of them all… not to mention the most dangerous.
“Go take care of your curtains,” I tell her. “Caius. Let’s talk.”
I turn to walk toward my study. Well, Caius’s study now, I guess. He follows and I see Mom’s face just before he closes the door.
“What the fuck is up your ass?” Caius asks.
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I expect an honest answer.”
“Because I usually lie to you?” he asks, tone sarcastic.
I face him. “Have you ever touched Camilla Avery?”
It takes him a minute, and he looks almost like he’s been physically struck. His eyebrows practically disappear into his hairline, and he stares at me in utter disbelief.