Page 53 of Balthazar's Fire
“I’ll come and get you when we’re ready,” he called out as she raced off in the direction of the kitchen. She could get what she needed and divert straight to his bedroom without running into Balthazar.
Rising from his seat, he checked his reflection in the mirror above the hearth, as though he was expecting a business associate. Sebastian couldn’t ever recall being this nervous where Balthazar was concerned.
“Here goes nothing,” he muttered as he strode to the door.
Releasing the numerous locks he’d secured to prevent the Monroes from getting to Rebecca, he pulled back the door to see Balthazar standing there smiling.
“Sebastian.” Balthazar’s smile widened as he gestured to the brunette at his side. “You remember Cherie, don’t you?”
“Naturally.” Sebastian’s anxiety tumbled away as he answered. Whatever happened, he had everything under control. He’d fallen for the ravishing red head and there was nothing Balthazar could do to persuade him otherwise. “How are you feeling now, Cherie? It’s great to see you again.”
“Hey.” Lifting the hand that wasn’t encased in his brother’s, she offered him a small wave. “I’m okay, thank you, Sebastian. Thanks again for helping to get me out.”
“You’re welcome.” Releasing the door, he motioned for them to come in.
“Yes, thanks,” Balthazar added as he tugged her inside. “I know it was a lot to ask.”
“Nonsense,” Sebastian replied, closing the door and ensuring all of the locks were in place. “We’re brothers, Bal. It’s all for one and one for all, right?”
“Yeah.” Peering back at Sebastian, Balthazar frowned. “I was going to ask you about making sure the place is secure, but it seems like you’ve got it covered.”
“We can’t be too careful,” Sebastian answered, dodging Balthazar’s unspoken question.
Why are you being so paranoid, Sebastian?
He would have the answers for his brother soon enough, but first they had to partake in the pleasantries.
“Oh, I agree.” Balthazar nodded. “Thanks.”
“Do you need anything, Cherie, before I steal my brother away from you for a while?” Sebastian looked at the petite woman, noticing her blush at his sudden attention.
“Maybe just a glass of water, please?” she suggested.
“I can get it,” Balthazar stated. “Why don’t you take Cherie to the lounge and we can talk in the dining room?”
“No, allow me,” Sebastian insisted. There was still a chance that Rebecca was loitering in the kitchen, and he definitely didn’t want the two of them meeting until he’d engineered the right moment. “You take Cherie through, Balthazar.”
“O-kay.” Balthazar hesitated, clearly perturbed by Sebastian’s take-charge attitude. Of the four brothers, Sebastian had a reputation for being the most laid back, so he wasn’t surprised at his brother’s stunned expression. “I’ll see you in the dining room.”
“Perfect,” he replied, darting past the couple toward the kitchen.
Sebastian had to admit that Balthazar and Cherie looked good together, and he genuinely only wanted all of his brothers to be happy. As he reached for a glass and poured Cherie the chilled and filtered water, he prayed inwardly that he and Balthazar could find a middle ground on the subject of Monroe. Sebastian understood completely why Balthazar loathed Oliver, and he too had reasons to detest the man, but if he was going to tar all Monroes with the same brush, then they would have a problem.
Crossing the elegant hallway, Sebastian returned to the lounge to find Cherie sat by the window. Balthazar was nowhere to be seen.
“He’s gone to the dining room to meet you,” she explained as Sebastian crossed the floor to pass her the water. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he answered. “And thank you for being so cool with this unusual setup.”
“It’s been an unusual week.” Shrugging, she chuckled as she gripped the glass.
“Yeah,” Sebastian agreed. “It really has.”
“Great view you have here, though.” Cherie gestured to the expanse of glass to her left. “It almost makes the city look beautiful.”
Sebastian sniggered at how she made that sound. “Almost?”
“Well.” Her lips jerked as though she was reliving an unpleasant memory and Sebastian instantly wished he’d had the foresight not to query her. Cherie had been through a lot in the last few days, and even though he was sure that Balthazar had done his best to take her mind from whatever pain Monroe had inflicted, she was only human. It would take time to truly recover, and knowing Oliver was still out there probably did little to reassure her. “Don’t forget I’ve seen the other side of the city.” She met his gaze. “The parts that don’t glitter.”