Her head pounded from the contradictory thoughts running through her head. She rubbed her temples forcing them to the side. She would think about that later. Her gaze fell on the inviting tub now filling with steaming water. First thing first…a bath to sooth her frayed nerves. * * *
“So…What do you think of, you know, our father?” Theo gave a noncommittal shrug at his brother’s query as he lay at the foot of Alexis’s bed. The butler had shown them to their rooms without so much as a question concerning the origins of the four people his employer sudde
“She does,” Alexis said leaving no room for debate. “She’s just buried her feelings for so long she’s afraid to acknowledge them anymore.” “So…what do we do? Do we…help him?” “No,” Alexis said after a long moment. “He needs to earn mom’s love himself but we also don’t ha
“Whoa! Check it out!” Theo marveled. “This place is huge!” After three days they had settled into the brownstone with their father and even got used to the ever present butler. After addressing concerns over his sudden departure from work their first day Silas had been working from h
She fought tears willing herself not to cry in public. How many lonely nights had she laid awake fretting over the next day? Paying bills, buying groceries, clothes, shoes…the kids needed so much especially two boys growing like weeds. She did it alone because she had no choice but did she have a
“He said to choose anything we wanted,” Theo shrugged twirling the basketball in his hand. “This is too much,” Ava shook her head. “Now I want you to put some of it back.” “How much of it?” Sean asked. “I mean the guards already took like half of it to the car so…”
“…Boss…Boss?…Si!” Silas jerked out of his idle thoughts to see Thomas standing at his desk. Thomas grimaced at his friend’s deep frown. Unfortunately it was becoming a common expression. He hoped that finding the woman Silas had been chasing for years would have solved his problems b
Silas sat across from her watching her closely. His mouth twitched with a smile. Was it only a few days ago he sat in the same spot across from his family? If his kids referred to this woman as their aunt then she was family too. But, more importantly, he needed answers. “Miss Lamo
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their