Page 45 of The Brigadier

He was right. We’d had enough over the years, all of us believing times had changed.

They hadn’t.

CHAPTER 14

Chantel

Family.

It had been important to me even if I’d grown up rather unconventionally. I’d had so many things in my life, able to attend the best schools and never knowing hunger.

I’d really never thought about having a family of my own more than in fleeting thoughts. Why would I? I knew most men in the normal sectors of life couldn’t tolerate my family heritage and any concept of becoming involved with a man in the same business had turned my stomach.

Now there was Nikolay.

Bold.

Powerful.

Take no shit.

Sexy.

God help me.

I still felt the effects of the hard spanking, although he certainly hadn’t been brutal in his method. Still, it was a clear reminder that danger existed all around us.

Hell, I should know that by what had just occurred. I didn’t want to think about it, enjoying spending time with Damien.

I knew I’d made bold comments about his autism but given we’d enjoyed lunch together—my favorite and his, PB&Js—and he’d been talkative, more engaging than most adults, I kept my doubts.

The fact he’d asked specifically if I’d read him his two favorite books right after we’d worked on some artistic paintings had confirmed it in my mind. I hadn’t pushed Damien in any way, but I could see sadness in his eyes. Oddly enough, the haunted look was similar to one I’d seen in his father more than once.

I was curled next to him on his bed, feeling far too relaxed. I finished the second story and looked down. It would seem I’d exhausted him.

Very carefully, I eased from the bed, tucking the covers around him. The thought of his own mother just leaving him on a doorstep pissed me off more than most things had in my life. I just couldn’t imagine doing that to any kid. She obviously had her reasons but if I ever saw her, I would make certain she knew exactly how I felt about her actions.

I kept the door partially open after making certain the little communications system installed in his room worked. I’d seen other devices throughout the house, which would allow me to hear if he had any issues, including nightmares.

As I walked downstairs, I wondered what Nikolay had done to the man following me. I could only imagine the guy was swimming with the fishies.

The expression made me laugh. I really had to stop watching bad television shows.

The housekeeper had introduced herself but also made herself scarce, simply taking a couple of hours to clean before leaving. I wasn’t entirely certain what was so dirty, but she’d vacuumed and touched up the bathrooms. That much I’d caught.

I was surprised to see it was after three, although he hadn’t left until ten-thirty or so. I felt almost awkward being inside Nikolay’s house without him, but it also felt almost like home.

How was that even possible?

A glass of wine sounded delicious at this point. Fortunately, I found a lovely bottle of merlot that had obviously been opened recently and easily located wineglasses in one of the cabinets. At least his kitchen was typical of anyone running a household, with all the traditional appliances, dishes, pots and pans.

With my wine poured, I decided to venture around the house, seeing what delicious secrets I could discover about the powerful man. I almost giggled at the thought. As if the man kept them lying out in the open.

The wine was delicious, and the afternoon still warm. I stood staring at the beach for a few minutes, wondering what it would be like to stick my toes in.

Maybe later.

I didn’t want to be far from the house in case Damien woke up.