“The prodigal son returns,” Joseph said with a sneer. “I knew this day would come.”
“Then you were wrong,” Rutledge said coldly. “I came only because Vivian wouldn’t stop nagging me. Apparently, you’re practically on your deathbed.”
“Derek!” Vivian said, looking outraged.
“I’ll have to disappoint you, then,” Joseph said. “I’m in excellent health.” He was lying. He had analmost gray tinge to his complexion. “So you won’t get my money any time soon.”
“You know I don’t need your money,” Rutledge said.
They glared at each other icily, and the resemblance they shared was striking. Shawn wondered if Rutledge knew it and resented it.
At this moment, Joseph shifted his gaze to Shawn.
His sharp dark eyes swept over him from head to toe, making Shawn painfully aware of his worn, cheap clothes.
Rutledge senior’s lips twisted in derision. “And this?”
Rutledge took a step toward Shawn and put a hand on his shoulder. “This is my lover, Shawn Wyatt.”
The other old man inhaled sharply.
Joseph’s face betrayed nothing, yet somehow, the temperature in the room seemed to drop a dozen degrees.
Shawn grimaced on the inside, but it wasn’t as if he hadn’t expected that.
“Shawn, this is my father, Joseph Rutledge,” Rutledge said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. The asshole was absolutely enjoying this. “And my father’s old friend, Nathan Brooks.”
“Nice to meet you,” Shawn lied, wondering if Mr. Brooks was the man whose daughter Joseph wanted his son to marry.
“I see,” Joseph said at last before shifting his heavy gaze to the twins. “And these are?”
Shawn suppressed the urge to hide the girls behind his back. “These are my sisters, Mr. Rutledge. Emily and Melissa.” For once, Bee remained quiet and didn’t argue about her name. Both girls moved closer to Shawn.
“I see,” Joseph Rutledge said again before addressing a maid. “Prepare rooms for our guests.”
“Prepare a room next to mine for the children,” Rutledge cut in. “Obviously Shawn will stay in mine.”
Shawn cringed a bit.
The vein in Joseph’s temple throbbed. Vivian watched her father worriedly. Mr. Brooks had a look of disgust on his face that he didn’t even bother to hide.
“Do as he says,” Joseph Rutledge bit out, breaking the silence. “Show them to their rooms. Dinner is in half an hour. Derek, a word.”
Shawn turned to follow the maid when a hand grabbed his arm and stopped him.
“I’ll see you shortly,” Rutledge said and gave him a brief kiss.
Or at least it was probably supposed to be a brief kiss, but Shawn found his lips clinging and parting, eager. He felt Rutledge’s surprise before Rutledge grabbed his neck and kissed him for real. The kiss seemed to go on forever.
By the time Rutledge finally pulled back, Shawn could barely breathe.
Shawn didn’t look around to see everyone’s reaction—he could well imagine it.
Grabbing the girls, he followed the maid.
His face was very warm.
Chapter 9
