Page 76 of The Eleventh Hour
“You’re safe.”
Jax
The house could light up its own town with the glow from every window. There are too many to count in the quick strides before we reach the top of the landing. The door opens, and a black and white clad servant smiles and welcomes us into the house.
A wave of nostalgia sweeps over me, and I see River running with Stevie close behind, children screaming while our father stomps his feet and roars before playfully chasing after them. On the landing, a tiny, scared face of a nine-year-old me, watching in growing awe and longing. Tiny little Andy had grabbed my hand and dragged me down the stairs, leading me to a hiding spot. She could barely walk, and she hadn’t learned to hate me yet.
“Mmm, children snacks.” Booms the giant man.
Andy squeals and lets out a peal of giggles. I look down at her and can’t help but smile. Her eyes are twinkling, and her cheeks are rosy. She looks like a little angel. The door opens, and my father grabs Andy and kisses her all over her face before turning to me.
“A new snack.”
He grabs me up so carefully and kisses my cheeks. It’s not the same, but no one but mama has kissed me before. I’m in awe of this huge man.
“Mwahaha, but I’m still hungry,” he growls and cuddles me close. I relax in his hold, giggling helplessly. Andy piles on, and he scoops her up in one arm. Stevie and River appear, and he doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around them, squeezing us all close.
“Come on, kids, let’s go harass Ms Diamond. I heard she made cake,” my father booms.
The kids scream and race for the kitchen, but I stay and nervously hold the hand of my father. He walks slowly with me, pointing out various pieces of art and telling outrageous lies about them.
The memory slips away, and I glance to my left and find Dane standing close enough that our sleeves are brushing. He glances at me, but his eyes are guarded, and his face is a mask.
I suck in a breath and hold it before blowing it out slowly. Andy and Jeraldine slowly descend the stairs, and I’m in awe of how perfect they are. They look like supermodels, they are both in tailored, expensive dresses, Jeraldine’s in gold, while Andy is wearing grey and has a lower on the bust line. It’s the standard uniform for dinner. We must always look our best. Stevie comes down a few moments later, moving with less care and a look of complete boredom in her expression. Her red hair glints like fire in the yellow lights, and her black dress is classy sophistication.
“Here we go,” I say under my breath. “Prepare yourselves.”
River races out from a side door, sliding across the marble floor, and interrupts their carefully staged descent with a wild whoop. Gods, I love that boy. He is so much like Dad. He’s wearing a blue shirt and black slacks but has made the inexcusable error of forgetting his jacket and tie. I love it.
He ignores the way Dane stiffens and picks me up, swinging me around, and slaps a wet kiss to my cheek.
“Eww!”
“You love it.” River holds his hand out to Dane. “Hey, man, nice to see you again.”
Dane takes it and glances at me. I smirk and raise a brow.
I ignore their chatter as I watch Rafael smoothly intercept Jeraldine and Andy. He looks really good, simple, with a white shirt and dark jeans. Casual. I want to peel that shirt off him, taste him again. I’m aware of everything he does, and I can’t stop looking at him, even out of the corner of my eye. My stepmother flushes and raises a hand to pat her hair. Every movement is artful and everything I’m not.
Stevie approaches and widens her eyes. “So, back to steal our fortunes or ruin us?”
I roll my eyes, but the entrance has fallen silent with her bitchy words. Which she knows full well, it was no doubt her intent. Those words were designed to remind everyone who I am and why I shouldn’t be here.
“Simply eating tonight, Stevie,” I say politely.
“How unusually tactful of you.” Stevie narrows her eyes and purses her painted lips, but before she can say anything, Dane takes my hand in his and raises my hand to his lips. I watch in complete fascination. His black shirt clings to his chest like a second skin. He looks hotter than he has any right to, and he knows it. Rafe might be unaware, but Dane uses his sensuality as a weapon, and right now, it’s directed at me. A small flame of something ignites in my chest as his tongue flicks over my knuckle.
“This is my Dane,” I say in a breathy murmur and almost bite off my own tongue when I realise what I’ve just said.
Stevie glances between the two of us and mutters something before bowing out of this strange pissing contest. ‘My Dane’ sounds right, and yet, I rip my eyes from his and find Rafael. He raises a glass of champagne slightly and smiles. It confuses me enough that I pull my hand free and take a step back.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“No problem.” Dane’s voice is equally quiet. “Can’t help but feel there’s a bit of tension here.”
“Yeah, well, don’t expect it to be pleasant. We are entering a whole new world of polite warfare.” I clench my teeth and smile at my stepmother as she approaches.
“Jeraldine, so good to see you.”