Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (60 page)

“Wow, Grae, actual questions just spill out when you're angry, don't they?” She gave another shove to the unyielding muscular wall of his chest. “Get off me, dammit! Last night was about me being an idiot for you as usual. It's a good thing you used the head on top of your shoulders then. You so rarely did when we were married.”

Her heart seized when he suddenly brought his head in close to trail his nose across her cheek, along her ear...

“I can't recall you ever minding the head I used when we were married, Tel.”

Tielle ignored the voice inside her mind and its warning that she not allow her mouth to get her in trouble.

“I so rarely had a choice in the matter,” she blurted anyway.

The admission seemed to weaken Grae's resolve. He relieved her of his weight, and Tielle turned her face into the pillow next to the one that had been cradling her head. She watched as he silently went about the task of donning his clothes.

“Grae—” Tielle's words were interrupted by the sight of her clothes being tossed her way courtesy of Graedon.

“You're right, Ti. We're already way too late.”

His words made her feel frozen to the bed. She sat there studying the fierce ripple of sinews in his back and shoulders as he jerked his clothes on. She didn't attempt to move until he'd left the cottage. The front door slammed resoundingly behind him.

* * *

“We're making a habit of this!” Faro laughed, finding his aunt rounding the long mural-adorned corridor at the same time he did.

Desree's expression was one of playful unease. “Sounds like we're late. Not very commendable.”

“Ah, we're good.” Faro gave a noncommittal wave. “We're good. It'll take 'em forty-five minutes to get settled anyway.”

“That's good, then. It'll give us the chance to talk.” Des eased her hands into the side pockets of her denim skirt. “What do you want from me, Faro?”

The pointed question only roused sudden laughter from the man.

“You already told me—what was it again? A few more get-togethers might give me an idea of how I could spare the family more drama. Drama about what?”

“Des, come on.” Faro's resulting grin was not a humorous one. “Stop playing the clueless role. You can't pull it off.”

“Drama about what?”

Faro sighed, studying his hands as he rubbed them together. “Since discussing all the particulars understandably makes me want to vomit, let's just say it's drama about a little...what was the word they used to use for it? Issue?”

Desree gasped. “How—” She stopped herself, realizing that the question would only solidify what Faro thought—and what she
knew
—to be fact.

“What do you want from me?” she asked instead.

Satisfaction smoothed the harsh lines in Faro's angular face. “One of two things my father left to others that should've been mine.”

“Your father was a smart man.” Understanding gleamed on Desree's lovely face. “He knew his business wouldn't survive a year with you at the helm.”

“That's what he thought—” Faro shrugged beneath a silk dress shirt “—but as we both know, he wasn't really the best judge of character.”

Desree was close enough to slap her nephew, and she did. The blow echoed in the corridor despite the voices of family members resonating beyond the living room where the therapy session would soon be underway.

“Why would you do this now?” she hissed.

“I could've done it earlier if not for momentary weakness,” Faro sneered, touching the back of his hand to where Desree's blow had landed. “I actually believed my ex-sister-in-law might really pull off the trick of getting my perfect little brother to go against Daddy's wishes for once in his life. She might've managed to do it, too, if Grae didn't hate me so much.”

“Such emotions aren't one-sided, you know? They only come into play as defense mechanisms.”

“That's right.” Faro smiled at the argument. “Always an excuse for Grae. Is that because he's the baby?”

“Why do you want that deed, Faro?”

“Grae's already got the building. I at least deserve the land—
some
part of Dad's legacy. He was my father, too, right, Des?”

“Don't play the loving-son role with me, Faro. It's impossible for you to pull that off.” Des turned her nephew's earlier jibe around on him. “Ken gave you no part of his legacy for a reason. I'd betray his memory if I did.”

“Right...memories.” Faro nodded and began a short stroll of the corridor. “Some are powerful—impossible—to file away once they're in your head. You know what I like best about memories though, Des?” He looked her way then. “Sharing them. It's something I have no qualms about doing.”

Desree merely turned her back on Faro and headed into the living room. Faro wasn't far behind. Neither noticed Grae watching them from down the long hall.

Chapter 8

T
he Clegg family therapy session was already set to be a stress-filled affair without the pressure of a lover's spat perched on top of the pile. Yet Tielle ordered herself to withstand the agitation as she rounded the corner and went down the corridor leading to the living room selected for the gathering.

She felt a few layers of her apprehension lift when she spotted Desree. Unfortunately, that brief relief dissolved when her assessing stare met Grae's stony one. He sat in one of the wide maroon armchairs in the alcove. The choice of seating put a noticeable distance between him and the rest of his family. The others had selected seating on the sofas, love seats and other cushioned chairs that the staff had arranged more to the center of the room.

Figuring Grae's request that she remain by his side during the retreat's events was then null and void, Tielle opted for the settee near the room's entrance.

“You're welcome to move closer, Ti.” Dr. Valerie DeLoache's voice held subtle amusement.

Tielle appeared to shudder over the suggestion. “Please don't make me.” She lowered her head.

Dr. DeLoache twittered a laugh before patting her boss's shoulder and moving on into the living area to greet the Clegg group.

* * *

“...I spent ten years on staff there, before leaving Chicago to join Ms. Turner's organization. I've been the retreat's lead therapist for the past five years,” Valerie DeLoache told the group as they settled in for the session.

“In addition to welcoming you all to our beautiful estate, I'd also like to commend your family for acting proactively to fix the issues causing whatever tensions exist among you—”

“Thank you, Dr. DeLoache,” Asia called out before the woman could continue, “but I think many of us here would agree that there's nothing causing tension in our family...anymore.”

With that said, most heads in the room turned toward Tielle. She commanded her eyes to remain fixed on the colorful landscaped piece above the fireplace mantle.

“That's a close-minded perspective, Asia,” Faro told his cousin before the doctor could respond. “Tielle only tried to get us to own up to issues we had long before she ever became one of us.”

“She was
never
one of us,” Asia retorted.

“Cut it out, girl,” admonished one of the uncles.

“She tried to help us,” Faro said. “That was until she had the will to do so stifled by bullying and ultimatums.”

“Mr. Clegg, I'm sure—”

The doctor's words were then interrupted by Grae's rumbling voice. “Something you need to say to me, Faro?”

“There's a lot I need to
say to you.
” Faro refused to look at his brother.

Grae spread his hands. “Well? Let's have it.”

“You see, Doctor?” Asia cried. “They never griped like this before she came along.”

“Asia, shut it!” Ranata ordered through clenched teeth.

Stunned by her usually calm-natured cousin, Asia piped up to rake the woman over the coals.

“Your instigating and snide remarks caused just as much trouble for Grae and Ti as Grae did with his bullying,” Asia said before her cousin could blast her. “All that foolishness from Grae is what lost him Tielle, leaving us to deal with the ogre he's become.”

“Ladies.” Valerie remained professional, admirably calm despite the ripple of tension Asia's remark sent through the room. “This is a wonderful start. You guys are venting and giving voice to your feelings, but we need to do it in a more constructive—”

“You two hush,” Barry ordered the bickering cousins. “Grae's got every right to be pissed about what went on back then. His only fault was comin' down so hard on Tielle when it was Faro who deserved to be kicked in the teeth.”

“These young folk in the family are a mess,” Jill agreed with her brother.

“Amen.” Paul sighed.

Tielle bowed her head and battled the urge to up and leave the room. Resolute, she looked up to catch Desree's gaze.
The woman appears defeated,
Tielle thought, watching as Des shook her head once in regret.

The living room swelled with the volume of voices chiming in on the subject then.

“Everyone—” Dr. DeLoache stood, waving her hands for calm, and was completely overlooked.

“Uncle Barry, you and Uncle Paul should shut up,” Asia spat. “All you focus on when you see Tielle are her tits and ass, so excuse me if your opinions mean squat.”

“Guys, please.”

Quiet settled, and it seemed that the therapist had finally gained control of her wayward group. In reality, the control had more to do with the fact that everyone had stopped arguing to catch their breaths.

“People, nothing will be settled until you all allow one another the time and courtesy to hear each other.”

“No, Doc,” Faro intervened. “Nothing will be settled until these people admit that all the
mess—
” he stressed the word while sending his aunt Jill a pointed look “—started with the older folks protecting a lot of dirty secrets that got all the mistrust started in the first place.”

“Not this again,” his cousin, Wendell Clegg, groaned. “Faro, what in the
hell
are you talkin' about?”

“I'm willin' to bet there are those who really don't know, but there're even more who do and they've kept it quiet for way too long,” Faro insisted.

“I need to talk to you, Faro,” Desree announced as she suddenly got to her feet.

Dr. DeLoache rushed forward. “Ms. Clegg—”

“Alone!”

“Des—”

“Now, Faro!”

Jaws dropped as the usually poised and cool-natured Desree blustered past her family on her way out of the living room. Despite his earlier boldness, even Faro appeared rather unnerved by his aunt's summons.

Tielle gave none of her former in-laws the benefit of her gaze. She was too busy studying Grae's expression. He remained in his remote corner not looking at his family but hunched over in his chair. His elbows were braced on his knees while he used one hand to stroke his jaw. Tielle thought he reflected an element of true concentration...and suspicion. She could hear the murmur of voices easing in as the group tried to make sense of what had just happened. She took advantage of the confusion to make her escape.

It was as though he'd sensed her intentions before she had the chance to put them into action. Tielle saw Grae slide his extraordinary stare her way. He watched her with the same mix of concentration and suspicion. The look was enough to make Tielle shred the last of her procrastination and leave the room.

“Tielle, wait up!”

Valerie's call sent a thread of resentment sliding along Tielle's spine. Still, she lost some of her edginess when she turned to face the woman. Tielle could see that the normally unflustered doctor was then looking decidedly rattled around the edges.

“Need a drink, Val?” Tielle teased.

The woman tucked a lock of chestnut-brown hair behind her ear and risked a glance across her shoulder. Most of the group was still embroiled in heated debate.

“What is it with them?” she asked. “Everyone wants to be heard, no one wants to listen.”

Tielle studied her ex in-laws for a moment, as well. “You've just given a perfect definition of the Clegg family.”

“Any advice on how you managed to get a word in with them?”

“Well,” Tielle indulged in a playful smile, “talking with the Cleggs wasn't really my top priority when I was married to Grae.”

Valerie's expression took on the same playful tint then. The tall brunette cast a knowing and understatedly sultry smile toward Grae, who still occupied his seat across the room. “Understood.” She gave her boss a nod and then regarded the rest of the family. “You think they might be up for another session?”

Tielle gave a woeful grin. “My guess is that it won't be today.”

Valerie nodded toward the room's entrance. “Any thoughts on what the rest is about between the aunt and nephew?”

Tielle resisted the urge to look over at Grae. “Whatever it is, it's nothing good.”

* * *

“So your scheme to get the family here for repair was really about ripping it apart.”

“I love my family, Des.” Faro touched a hand to his chest while voicing the declaration. “I'm not interested in ripping it apart, only in ripping out lies.”

“I see...” Desree observed him with her arms folded and lips parted in disdain. “And how did you come by these...lies?”

“Kids are told to be seen and not heard. Adults never tell them they aren't supposed to listen.”

“You always were a foul child.” Desree shook her head. “But I never would've thought you were capable of something so evil.”

“So telling the truth is evil now, Des?”

“What purpose will doing this serve?”

“The same purpose that you signing over that deed will serve.”

An understanding smile illuminated Desree's plump face. “So
that's
what you want.”

Faro's mouth thinned into a belligerent line. “It should've been mine anyway.”

“There was a reason why your father didn't leave it to you. He knew you were unworthy.”

“Well, it doesn't matter now, does it? He's gone.”

“Grae will never—”

“Grae's days on the throne are numbered, Des. Maybe it's time you put your trust in another.”

“Sweetie, you're getting me mixed up with whoever is idiotic enough to be afraid of you.”

Menace further shaded Faro's dark stare. “You'd do well to be afraid. I have no qualms about doing what I have to.”

“And you'd do it here, of all places?” Again, Desree grimaced. “Tielle was one of the few people who believed in you. She bet her marriage on it. You'd actually let her see it was all for nothing?”

Faro waved his hand to the side. “Grae's insecurity busted up his marriage, and I'm sick of being blamed for it. Maybe once he's relieved of the responsibility of running Dad's business, he'll have the time he needs to get his wife back.”

“Little bastard—”

“Tsk, tsk, Des. Do you really want to take the conversation there?”

“I don't have the deed with me.”

“Ah...good. You've seen the light.” Faro's gleeful expression merged into a glare. “I believe Leo has your power of attorney. He should be able to collect it from the safety deposit box at your bank with no trouble.”

Desree's gasp reinstated Faro's gleeful expression.

“My ears have served me well over the years.”

“Oh, and I'd love to box them for you.”

Faro's laughter was fleeting. “Call Leo and have him get the deed here no later than Friday.”

“That's two days away! Why would you want to carry on this charade?”

“Well, Des, there's not much reason for you to stick to your part of the deal if I have nothing to bargain with.” He moved in close. “Get the deed or the next family therapy session we have won't end with me being ordered to follow you from the room like a hardheaded child, but with you being left to answer a lot of questions and kiss a lot of wounds.”

He looked thoughtful. “On second thought, kissing wounds may not be involved. I'm pretty sure certain parties will be way too devastated to accept kisses from the ones who betrayed them.” He brushed past Des. “Two days,” he called.

* * *

“Oh...sorry I...” Tielle muttered, having rounded the corner of the terrace to find Grae alone and seated on one of the lounges. He stared out past the terrace railing toward the dense brush and trees beyond the rear lawn. Tielle decided to take her leave.

“Do you remember this place?” he asked. “First time we were out here after we got married?”

Slowly, Tielle ventured farther onto the terrace. She loved it there—the majesty of the trees already half through their annual shedding of leaves. The wind held a thriving intensity that afternoon that promised to strip the remaining foliage from its branches before nightfall.

“I remember.” Memories of their wedding reception shifted to the front of her mind. “It was too cold and everybody went back inside.”

Grae bowed his head, smiling. “Didn't feel cold to me.”

“Probably because we were curled up on one of those lounges.”

“Humph. We didn't stay there for long.”

Tielle shook her head. Her gaze fixed as though she were viewing a replay of the scene. “We had our first dance out here...then it started to snow. We didn't even notice it or that everybody came to the doors to watch us.”

“Photographers snapping tons of pictures...” Grae laughed. “We only noticed because it'd gotten dark and the flash bothered us.”

“Ha! Yeah, one of your dad's cousins said he'd never seen lightning during a blizzard.”

Grae's rich laughter seemed to echo. “His wife, Miranda, told him only someone as drunk as him could see that.”

“They aren't here for the retreat,” Tielle noted once she and Grae had a long laugh at the couple's expense. “Are they okay?”

“Hugh's had some close calls—heart, liver...Miranda decided they'd sit this trip out. She said it was the first time Hugh's rotten liver had done her any good and that being around this bunch for a week was a treat she'd had more than enough of.”

“I always liked them.” Tielle dissolved into more laughter and used the oversized cuff of her knit sweater to dab a tear from her eye. “Guess there're quite a few of your family wishing they'd made another decision about coming here.”

“Including you?” Grae turned his head but didn't make eye contact with her. “Guess I should apologize for asking you to accept Faro's request to bring us up here.”

Tielle paced a short path on the terrace. “If being here helps someone get closure, then I guess it's all worth it.”