AllFreeNovel
Share Us
To anyone watching we look like a perfectly happy family, a family I’m about to destroy with my truth.
THIRTY
LIA
“Night, kiddo,” Drix says, dropping a kiss against Toby’s temple, his large hand resting on Toby’s arm as he sleeps deeply, completely worn out from a long day.
I watch from the doorway as Drix eases upright. Yet, he doesn’t move to leave, instead he remains seated on the edge of the bed, staring at Toby, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on his arm. I’m reminded in that moment just how much affection and love Toby was denied by his own father, how easily Drix has stepped into that role, and how Toby has blossomed from it. Heaving out a sigh, Drix moves to stand, and I can’t help but notice a heaviness to his shoulders as he twists on his feet. It worries me.
“Sorry, I didn’t realise you were standing there,” he says, moving towards me.
My heart clenches, the small smile he gives me not quite reaching his eyes. Having already discarded his suit jacket, Drix’s white shirt is pulled taut across his chest, the top two buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of his tattoos that I’ve already committed to memory.
“I didn’t want to wake Toby up,” I reply, holding my hand out to him. “Come on, let’s have a drink. You look like you could use one.”
“Sure,” he replies, sliding his palm against mine as I guide him down the hallway to the living area in this huge suite he booked us in. With three bedrooms, it’s big enough to accommodate Daisy as well as give Toby his own room to sleep in.
“What would you like? There’s whisky, brandy, wine, vodka?” I ask as he settles on the leather couch, watching me as I look through the contents of the bar. Heat flashes across my skin at the intense look he gives me.
“Brandy, neat… Please,” he adds.
“Coming up,” I reply, grabbing the small bottle of brandy and two crystal glasses from the cabinet.
Pouring us both a shot each, I carry them over to the leather couch, passing him his glass whilst I sit down next to him. Muttering his thanks, he takes it from me, knocking it back with one swift flick of his wrist before resting the empty glass on the coffee table.
“That bad, huh?” I joke, only the smile slips from my lips when his expression remains troubled.
Taking a fortifying sip of brandy, I relish the burn as the liquid slides down my throat.
“So, there’s something you want to get off your chest?” I begin.
“There is,” he agrees with a nod, and despite the fact that he has his body angled towards me, he has his arms crossed over his chest, closing himself off.
“Do you want to tell me what that is?” I ask tentatively.
“I don’t know where to start,” he admits, flicking his gaze away as though he can’t bear to look at me.
“How about from the beginning?” I suggest.
He nods, swiping a hand through his hair, his thick fingers running through the strands. “When I was twenty, Hubert brought me into the Hammer family business,” he begins. “Up until that point I didn’t really know where his riches came from. I guess I assumed he inherited that wealth given he never really spoke about what he did for the founding families of Princetown.”
“And what did he do exactly?” I ask, taking another sip of my brandy, cupping the cool glass in my hands whilst I wait.
“Security mainly, much like what I’ve done today. If there were any big events involving the families, he would arrange the security detail, completing background checks on any guests invited, staff employed, and press covering the event. He trained me well, and I found that I was good at it. I enjoy taking care of people and running a team. Hubert always said I was a natural leader, that people respected me, and that I knew instinctively what was needed to ensure everyone was kept safe.”
“I can see that,” I admit. “You make me and Toby feel safe, Drix.”
His eyes meet mine, and I can’t quite interpret the emotions held within them. All I know is that a seed of worry begins to grow inside my chest with every passing moment.
Clearing his throat, he continues. “It wasn’t long before I was taking over Hubert’s role more and more, especially when he began getting sick. By the time he’d died, I was head of security for the families, as he was before me, and his father was before that.”
“Okay, so what’s troubling you about all of this? Are you concerned you’ve made a mistake tonight? Has something gone wrong? Is Robert displeased in some way?”
“No, nothing’s gone wrong. Everything has gone to plan. This part of my role is a breeze…” His voice trails off and he winces.
I frown. “This part of your role? What do you mean by that?”
Drix leans forward, taking the glass from my hands and placing it onto the table, then folds my hands in his. “I want you to remember the man that I am when I’m with you and Toby, Lia. I need you to know that I am that person. That is the true me. The real Drix Hammer. Not…”
