“I need to get dressed,” I say and gulp the rest of the tea in the hopes it chases away my blossoming headache.
“Okay.” Tye doesn’t move.
“That’s a cue for you to leave, Tiberius. Wait, what was Fort talking about? What am I supposed to be getting ready for?”
Tye is unconcerned with my agitated state. There’s a sudden indefinable spark in his eyes. “It’s time for you to pay your respects, Cecilia.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. All the odd rumors I’ve ever heard about the Tempestas play tag inside my head.
The ranch is haunted.
Their father talks to ghosts.
They drink the blood of their enemies and bury the bones in their front yard.
Absurd gossip. Right?
“Respects to who?” I ask.
“You’ll see when we get downstairs,” he says.
“Is that where everyone else is?”
“Depends,” Tye says cheerfully. “Who exactly are you looking for?”
Is he really this dense or is he playing games?
Hard to tell.
“I’m not looking for anyone. I was wondering about your father and the rest of your brothers.”
“I get it.” He nods. “You’re hoping to see Getty.”
“What? No.”
“Why not? He seems to have taken a liking to you.”
“I wouldn’t call it that. Anyway, Getty doesn’t seem especially stable.”
He grins. “Maybe you can fix him, Cecilia.”
“Pass. I’ve never been very handy with tools.”
Tye breaks up into raucous laughter. He laughs so hard he falls back on the mattress. This dude laughs like it’s a full body exercise.
With a huff, I cross my arms and wait for him to finish.
Finally, he sits up, still chuckling. He’s lost his hat. His black hair, which reaches to his neck, now falls into his face.
Tye pushes his hair back, searches for his hat, and twirls it around his finger. “That was funny. You’re a funny girl.”
I’m not funny at all.
“Glad to know I have some entertainment value,” I mutter.
“They really are all waiting downstairs,” Tye says, abruptly dropping his frisky manner. “My dad. Getty. AndJulian. He’s down there waiting for you too.”
His eyes remain fixed on me, judging my reaction.
