Undone (5 page)

Bella approached him. "Sophie’s in love with him, Daddy."
She shrugged. “For her sake, I think we should at least try to be cordial.”

"Out of the mouths of babes
,” Maddie intoned. “Honestly, Nicholas, Belle’s right. Be happy that it’s only a ten year difference. Imagine if he'd been like forty or something."

"I'd shoot him on sight
,” Nicholas humorlessly declared.

"I think I'd help you
,” Brent added. His usual smile oddly absent.

At that Nicholas smirked
. "Didn't think you had it in you, Hayward."

He shrugged. "What can I say, Grayson, you bring out the devil in me."

At their shared grins, Madeline and Ellie rolled their eyes heavenward. "Care to join me for breakfast, Maddie?"

Madeline walked away from Brent and laced her arm through Ellie’s
. "I'd love to, Ellie."

Perplexed Nicholas and Brent looked on as their lovers walked away. Purposely ignoring them, they made their exit, occupied by their own private conversation.

"Did we say something?" Brent asked, mystified.

"I don't think we need to say something to piss them off
,” Nicholas replied wryly.

The snow fell in earnest now, blanketing the grounds in a flurry of feathery whiteness, a crystal wonderland beckoning the children and their parents outside. Dina threw her dark head back and laughed at her son-in-law’s antics. From her seated position in the living room, she was able to see the activities outside and she was enjoying the show immensely. While the children busied themselves on sleds, sliding down the hill with whooping glees, the adults, namely Nicholas and a laughing Ellie, engaged themselves in a deadly snowball fight. She heard their laughter and their breathless banter, taunting each other into making a mistake.

At the appearance of Bella at her side, Ellie’s attention veered from Nicholas and onto her daughter, giving Nicholas the opportunity to slink behind her. Indicating his daughter to stay quiet with a gloved finger to his lips, Nicholas brought into view a round, well-packed ball of snow and
, with a roguish upturn of his lips, he shoved the offending cold ball of snow down Ellie’s sweater and ran away. Ellie’s reaction was immediate; she screeched and spun around, then back again as she heard her daughter's laughter from a distance.

"You had better run, you two!" she threatened, shaking the snow from her sweater. "I'm going to get you both for this!"

"You have to catch us first, Mom." Bella replied only to scream when Ellie gave chase. Winded, Ellie stooped over and took a moment to recuperate.

"Come
on, track star, is that the best you can do?" Nicholas taunted, his smile rivaling the sun in brightness, illuminating his face. He laughed at Ellie’s glower and took off running, his wife hot on his heels.

"Here,
Nanna, I brought you some jasmine tea." Sonya turned her gaze to her oldest grandchild and graciously accepted the lovely golden white mug she offered. Taking a sip, she smiled warmly before patting the seat next to her.

"Thank you, Sophie. Please, sit with me."
Taking her invitation, Sophie settled on the sofa beside her grandmother and turned to look outside, a wistful smile on her lips.

She was like her mother in so many ways, Dina observed
; every time she saw her, Sophie had so much of her mother’s disposition. She wasn't as boisterous or as carefree as her brother and she was certainly not like the talkative, cheerful Bella. Sophie kept to herself mostly, reserved but never cold, never aloof, always introverted, but sweet and warmhearted. Of her three grandchildren, Dina felt Sophie was the one who needed the most care, to be handled with kid gloves, because there was so much hidden behind those dark eyes.

"Where is your
…friend?" Like her parents and most certainly every adult in the house, the subject of the thirty year old man Sophie had brought home was something Dina was uncomfortable with, but chose to tolerate him for Sophie’s sake.

Peeling her gaze from the window, Sophie gave her grandmother her attention with a wry smile. "He's settling into his new room. He'll be out soon enough
. I told him to find me in the living room when he's done. Why aren't you out there with everyone else?"

"The cold, dear, I can't abide it. How about yourself, I'm sure your parents want you outside with them."

She shrugged and brought her own mug to her lips. "Maybe later." She remained quiet after that, pensive, her dark brow puckered in an unbecoming frown. She tucked plaid covered legs beneath her while sipping her tea, her mind, seemingly miles away.

"Something troubling you, dear?"

She did not immediately respond and Sonya wondered if she'd heard her at all, but Sophie turned to her before too long and the look Sonya saw on her face broke her heart. But just as quick as it came, it flitted away, hidden beneath a veneer of plastic cheer. "Of course not, I'm just still a little tired from our trip."

"I hope you know that you can talk to me, Sophie
.” Dina carefully settled her hand on her arm and smiled. "I'm not as stuffy as I look."

She laughed. "I know, Nan."

"All right, so tell me about school, have you decided on a major yet?"

She shrugged. "Maybe
biology, or premed, I'm not too sure yet. I was thinking of staying around this summer to intern at Cedar Falls General just to get my feet wet."

"That's a great idea
. I'm sure your parents would love having you home for the summer." And so the conversation went, skimming on school, professors and the small circle of friends she'd made, until Sophie fell quiet again.

"Sophie?"

"Do you think it was stupid of me to bring Andrew with me, Nan?" If she'd been shaken by the abruptness of the question, Dina gave no indication. She did, however, take a moment to consider exactly how to approach such a sensitive subject. If she said the wrong things, she was sure both Ellie or her son-in-law would say something and, of course, there was always Sophie’s feelings to consider. She needed to tread carefully.

"May I be frank, darling?"

"Of course, Nan.”

"Well, for starters
, I think you could've exercised a little more tact as far as Andrew was concerned. Springing such a surprise on your parents, it was only natural for them to react the way they did. You cannot blame them for being upset and certainly most men would admire your father's restraint. Had it been your Uncle Gabe or even your grandfather, I'm sure Mr. Hunter would've been long gone by now." Her tone was firm, terse, but still held all the warmth of a saint. Sophie didn't know how she did it, but oddly enough she didn't feel as though she was being cruel. The wisdom of her words rang true and in a way, she'd known that bringing Andrew with her would've resulted in a family tiff. At the time, alone in her dorm room, it had seemed like a good idea.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time
,” she feebly voiced her thoughts.

"I'm sure it did, and I know you just wanted to share your special relationship with your family. But maybe all your parents wanted was to have just you for the holidays?"

Sophie flopped back on the couch and with eyes closed, she sighed. "I didn't even think about that. I'm away ten months out the year and rarely get to see them. I do miss them, Nan. Noah, Bella and Dylan, I feel like they're growing up without me." She fell quiet and released a resigned breath, before continuing, "I love it at Buxom, I'm so glad Nicholas convinced me to go. And meeting Andrew…I feel like he really understands me, you know, Nan?"

Sonya smiled
. "Yes, I do."

"I know he's older than me and I know he's had so much more experiences than I have, but there's so much more to him than just his age. He's so sweet, so caring and patient, he's taught me so much about myself and I've learned so much about him. He actually sees me and calls me out on my
bullsh—on my stupidity. I just wanted my parents to see him for the great guy he is and how wonderful he is for me."

"They'll see it soon enough. They are trying
, Sophie, and they will eventually warm up to him. It'll just take time."

"I feel like I've ruined Christmas
,” she said dejectedly and Sonya felt for her.

"You have done no such thing and I can guarantee you that no one else thinks so either. You care about Andrew and I can understand you wanting to share him with your family
. He seems like a very kind man and I can see how much he cares for you and you him, I'm sure your parents will see that too."

"You think so?"

"I
know
so. Now, no more talk of you ruining Christmas. We're all glad that you're here, your parents especially and I know they would love to have you join them. Look," Sophie returned her gaze to the window, "it seems like your father could use a little help." Sure enough, Ellie had tackled Nicholas into a snow bank and sat astride his hips, with a snowball in hand. She shoved it down Nicholas sweater and smashed her hand over the area. Nicholas bucked beneath her, screaming and laughing, before pulling a laughing Ellie down to him. They met in a kiss that immediately put a bloom into both Dina and Sophie’s cheeks.

"Somehow, I don't think he minds very much. God! They’re always kissing."

Dina grinned. "They're in love, dear."

She smiled too. "Yeah…they are." She stood and stooped down to drop a kiss on Dina’s cheek. "I'm going to check up on Andrew. Thanks for the talk,
Nanna, it really helped."

"Anytime, sweetheart." She raised her arm and comfortingly patted her arm. Sophie immediately winced and pulled away. Sonya frowned, knowing that she hadn't touched her hard enough to induce such a reaction. "Sophie?"

"It's nothing, I just sort of slipped and fell coming out the shower this morning." She smiled reassuringly, while nursing her arm. "It was a stupid accident."

"Maybe we should have someone look at it?" Dina suggested, wondering why Sophie’s obsidian gaze suddenly seemed far more intrigued by the flowerpot in the corner of the living room.

"No, it's really no big deal. I'll see you later, Nanna." She was gone before Sonya could say more. Alone again, Sonya no longer smiled, frowning, she wondered if her granddaughter was keeping something from from them.

~*~*~*~

Sophie wondered when she'd become such a proficient liar while closing her bedroom door behind her. She headed to the mirror and rolled up the sleeves of her long-sleeved shirt. There were bruises forming on both arms, the indentation of Andrew's fingers marred her caramel flesh.

Sophie remembered the fierce argument they'd had last night, the very same one that had resulted in Andrew almost leaving and the green and blue bruises now adorning her skin. It'd been a stupid argument and Sophie had to admit that she'd started
it, subconsciously picking a fight with him until the older man had been forced to take hold of her arms, shake her and ground out for Sophie to 'stop it'.

She hadn't realized Andrew's fingers had dug deep enough to mar
her skin until this morning. At the time, Sophie had been too hell-bent on chasing him away, afraid that her abrupt decision to bring her boyfriend with her, had been the biggest mistake of her life.

Sophie hated that she'd lied to her grandmother, but she wasn't about to tell her the truth when they were already all so wary of Andrew. With a weary sigh, she pulled down her sleeves, walked to her bed and flopped down. She’d been so close to retching this morning when Nicholas had appeared at her door with that menacing glower and barely controlled anger of his. Her father had been close to murder and had it not been for her
mom’s interference Sophie knew there would've been bloodshed.

At least he'd promised to be civil and he had been
. At breakfast this morning, Nicholas engaged Andrew in their conversation; sure he'd been goading him, but Sophie had been glad for it. They had to start somewhere, right? And Andrew, sweet, kind Andrew, he'd remained so calm, so unaffected by Nicholas’s biting venom, Sophie was proud of him. Coming to her feet, she had the sudden urge to feel Andrew's arms around her. Sophie exited her bedroom and made her way downstairs in search of her boyfriend.

Nicholas settled the phone to his ear, waited three rings before saying, "I need a favor," to the person on the line.

"Anything for you."

"I need information."

"Name?"

"Andrew Hunter."

"What exactly are you looking for?"

"Anything you can find, dig deep. I want a dossier in my hand by Monday."

There was whistle and then a chuckle
. "That's less than forty eight hours."

"I want it done
, Christopher, and I want it done right."

"I'm a perfectionist, boss man, anything less and I'd slit my wrists."

"Very assuring, I'll see you on Monday."

They hung up soon after and Nicholas shoved a hand through his hair before carelessly tossing his phone on the cluttered desk. Ellie would be pissed if she knew, but he would cross
that bridge when he got to it. At the current moment, Nicholas needed information about Andrew. There was something about that man he didn't trust and rarely was his intuition wrong. Absentmindedly swirling the amber liquid in his tumbler, Nicholas brought it to his lips and swallowed deeply. It traveled a smooth path down his throat, settled in his stomach and unfurled a bloom of fire in his abdomen.

He set the glass down on the desk and wandered to the fireplace
. Settling on his haunches, he took hold of the iron poker from the rack on his left and stoked the blazing logs. His brows furrowed in thought as he contemplated the man dating his eldest daughter. The very idea induced a sour taste in Nicholas’s mouth.  Anger he hadn't felt in a very long time seeped into his skin and lodged itself deep in his marrow. Andrew Hunter was a fraud, his insincerity oozed off him like gaseous fumes and the noxious odor turned Nicholas’s stomach.

The man had somehow managed to blind the typically pragmatic Sophie, and because Nicholas understood how he played his games, he knew what Andrew's next move would be. He would attempt to charm the women first, because they all wanted to see the best in him for Sophie. But Nicholas wasn’t going to let it get that far.

With a fleeting look at the grandfather clock, he rose to his feet, returned the poker to its place and sauntered away. He reclaimed his phone from his desk, shoved it in his pocket and exited his office. Lengthening his strides, he hurried to the dining room where his family expected him for dinner. Rounding the corner, he stopped short at the sound of a man's voice coming from the alcove.

"…no, she doesn't suspect a thing."

"…How do you expect me to do that?"

"… I can't, her stepfather…"

At this
, Nicholas frowned.
Interesting
, he thought silently. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but maybe it was a good thing that he was.

"You're asking too fucking much from me."

"Yeah…I'll call you later."

Stuffing his hands in his pockets in manner that would seem casual to some, but was more of
a method of restraint to those who knew him, Nicholas made his appearance known.

"Hello, Andrew," he greeted casually.

For a span of eternity, they looked at each other. Andrew, always so composed and self-assured, looked anything but as he stared back at Nicholas. Blank, storm grey eyes lanced him to the spot and Andrew vaguely wondered whether he'd overheard his conversation.

"Mr. Grayson
,” he tautly responded. He tried to gauge the other man, but found nothing, nothing indicating that he'd heard anything. He looked relaxed, an unnerving stillness swathed his athletic frame.

"On your way to dinner?"

"Er—yeah, I'm running a little late."

"Something we have in common."

Andrew nervously pocketed his phone before coming forward with a smile. "Right, Sophie will love to hear that. Shall we go?" He attempted to walk by Nicholas, but the silver eyed man stepped in his way. They stood toe-to-toe, eye-to-eye, same height, same build, no doubt evenly matched, but Nicholas wasn’t so tactless as to fight the man.

"Mr. Grayson?" Andrew said stiffly.

"You seem like a smart man, Andrew, so I'll advise you to tread carefully."

"What exactly are you saying, Mr. Grayson?"

With a chilling smile, Nicholas shrugged offhandedly before stepping close enough to Andrew that their noses practically touched and very softly he whispered, "If you hurt my daughter in any particular way, I’m going to bury you alive.” He stepped away, lips still upturned, he spun on his heel and whistled while he sauntered off, leaving Andrew in a stupor.

In the dining room, everyone had settled and waited. Nicholas claimed his seat by Ellie’s side and kissed her cheek. He glanced over at Sophie who had her gaze trained at the door.

"What took you so long?" At Ellie’s inquiry, Nicholas returned his gaze to his glowering wife.

"Business, but I promise that's the last of it until the end of the holidays."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Grayson."

"Dad, have you seen Andrew?" Andrew appeared just then, his pallor a little off.

Sophie stood to welcome him to the table. "Hey, I've been looking for you." She interlaced their fingers, drawing Andrew to the empty chair beside her own. "Andy, are you OK? You look a little pale."

Andrew, wonderful actor that he was, gave Sophie a disarming smile. "You worry too much, of course I'm fine." He took his seat and dinner commenced.

~*~*~*~

Christmas morning found a good quarter of the large family seated in the living room watching a Christmas special on television.

"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Ellie heralded from the threshold. “Ethan, you’re finally here!” She headed for the fifteen year old and warmly embraced him. “When did you get in? How was your trip?” she asked, pulling away.

“About three hours ago, the snowstorm stopped long enough for the planes to clear. The trip was long and boring, although the hotel staff was very accommodating. I’m just happy to be home.”

“It’s good to have you home,” Nicholas said with a smile as he too embraced his little brother. “You should’ve taken the private jet like I advised, you would’ve gotten here sooner.”

“So good of you to rub my misfortune in
my face, Nicholas,” Ethan responded mildly, clocking his brother on the arm for the remark. “But some of us enjoy the holiday rush.” He turned to Ellie. “You’re still in love with this old man?” He cocked his head in Nicholas’s direction and they both grinned when he scowled.

“He’s still got some mileage on him.”

Ethan sighed dramatically. “Well, if you ever decide to trade up…”

“Trade down is more like
it,” Nicholas grumbled.

“Yeah Ethan, there’s no chance there. You’re like fifteen and that’s sort of illegal! Unless of course you’re pulling a Sophie—
Ow! Belle, what the hell!” He rubbed his injured arm where the pinch from his sister still burned.

“What did I do?” she blithely asked, batting
her dark lashes.

"Alright children, behave
,” Dina chided. Having walked in the room a few minutes ago, she set the last minute Christmas presents beneath the festive pine tree with Nicholas and Ethan’s help. The subsequent arrival of Gabe, Ronnie and their brood initiated the opening of presents. The children naturally went first and all too soon, the living room transformed into a disaster area. An explosion of vibrantly rich wrapping paper littered the ground; toys, clothes and other fun Christmas knickknacks laid strewn about. The festivities continued late into the afternoon and once Dominick Kingston and his wife Samantha joined them they found themselves in the dining room, a sumptuous Christmas feast awaiting their hungry palates.

"Thanks again, for inviting us, Nicholas
,” Dom said with a smile as he leaned back in his chair and waited for the arrival of dessert. The last eight years of life had been good to him and deservedly so, having survived the sort of marriage only the devil could find emotionally stimulating. It had taken a lot out of him. Evey had taken a lot out of him. She'd remained vindictive through the very end. Taking everything he had, which to be perfectly honest hadn't been much, but she'd made sure to leave him with nothing but the shirt on his back.

Had it not been for Nicholas’s extensive team of lawyers, Dom knew he'd have lost custody of Brandon. Their estranged friendship over the last eighteen years notwithstanding, Nicholas had become more of a friend to Dom than his own brothers. Looking across the table at the dark haired tycoon, Dom still found it hard to believe that this was the same boy who had tempted faith more times than he could count on both his fingers and toes.

The same guy who everyone doubted would live to see his twenty-first birthday with a father like Charles Grayson and a death wish the size of his trust fund. Yet, as incredibly hard as it was to believe, Nicholas was no longer the same guy, in fact, looking at him now, many would doubt that he'd been on a paved path to hell.

Ellie’s laughter pulled Dom’s gaze to Nicholas’s right and the vibrant smile gracing her face pulled the corners of Dom’s lips into a smile of his own. This was Nicholas’s
raison d'être, his reason for being, and Dom could not fault him for falling so hard. Ellie Holbrook was one of a kind and for having known her for so brief a time, Dom would bet his last bottom dollar that Ellie was all that was good and genuine in the world. They didn't make too many of her anymore and to know that Nicholas had found someone like her made Dom happy. They deserved each other; complemented each other so perfectly that it was like watching a dance when they interacted.

Taking a hold of Sam's hand beneath the table, Dom squeezed it and grinned when she glanced his way and returned the gesture with a tender smile of her own. All too well Dom understood the love Nicholas and Ellie shared because he experienced it every moment he was with Sam. After five years of marriage, they were finally beginning to understand each other and cherish the little moments that made married life a joy.

That wasn't to say they didn't have the occasional fight, but that was something Dom could easily deal with. A fight over the toilet seat being put down or whose turn it was to take out the trash was infinitively better than not fighting at all with a wife who was out screwing half the city. Sam had healed the emotional scars Evey had left and, though nowhere near perfect, she was everything he could've asked for in a wife, friend and lover. Life couldn't get any better. He had a loving wife, a group of wonderful friends and a family who welcomed him with open arms the moment his sense returned; there wasn't more Dom could ask for. This was happiness at its finest and sharing it with Nicholas and his extensive family made it that much sweeter.

"You're always welcomed here, Dom, you know that
,” Nicholas replied, setting down his wine glass. "Besides, Ellie and I consider you and Samantha a part of our family. Isn't that right, Ellie?" Ellie glanced at Nicholas, eyes conveying something they were both all too familiar with. Then she found Samantha's gaze across the table and rightly so, the bloom in the other woman’s cheeks brought a small smile to Ellie’s lips.

Oh
, yes, she considered her family
now.
Seven years ago, however, she was the woman who desperately panted after her husband like a stereotypical bitch in heat. Thank the heavens Dom had come along when he did, otherwise, Ms. Samantha Harris would've found herself transferred faster than she could bat her garishly, long lashes.

By no means had Ellie been threatened by her, knowing Nicholas as well as she did, Ellie had no need to worry about her lover's fidelity. It was only that she'd still held a small grudge over the phone incident, when Samantha had deliberately tried to interfere in Nicholas and Dylan’s relationship. Ellie had managed to get over it though, and albeit still reserved about her, she was comforted to know that the love she saw in Samantha’s eyes was only for Dom and no one else.

"Of course, we couldn't be happier to have you both here. The holidays just aren't the same without your corny jokes, Dom." Everyone erupted in laughter. Dom raised his glass. "To family!" he toasted and the rousing cheer of "here, here's" and “to family" brought along another bout of laughter. Dessert arrived on silver trays—white chocolate cream cake with dark chocolate filling and cold glasses of eggnog for the adults. Ellie mindfully refused hers and opted for a glass of pomegranate juice instead.

The merriment proceeded to the living room, where, by a cozy crackling fire
, the family settled to watch a Christmas classic. Seated on the sofa with Sophie on one side and her sister on the other, Andrew was ever mindful of the occasional glances he received from Sophie’s stepfather, seated a few feet away.

He was a grown man who had bullshitted his way through teaching hundreds of college students without ever once breaking a sweat and yet in just these past two days alone, Andrew found his composure crumbling faster than he could put it together and it was all because of
that
man. Nicholas Grayson was, without a doubt, one of the most intimidating men he'd ever had the displeasure of meeting.

With so much history flanking him, it'd taken sheer will alone to remain as composed as he'd been during their initial introduction. Andrew had read an encyclopedia sized dossier on him, knew almost everything there was to know about Nicholas and even that hadn't prepared him for the actual man. He had to admit that Nicholas did intimidating pretty damn fucking well
; he'd nearly pissed his pants the night before, wondering if he'd blown his cover.