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The man closest to her turned around, and she saw the resemblance between him and the rest of the Braxton family. His eyes appraised her in a lazy fashion, and she was surprised to see a smile form on his lips. “You must be Scarlett.” A sudden hush fell upon the room. “I am Elias Braxton, Carter’s younger brother.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. It isn’t often that our entire family gets together.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come meet the rest of the brood.” He led her forward, stopping before an elegantly dressed woman with a cap of soft black hair, wide eyes, and pale skin. “This is my lovely wife, Giovanna.”
Scarlett shook her hand, surprised that there was no coldness in her gaze. “Lovely to meet you. Please call me Vanna.” Vanna spoke with a thick Italian accent.
“We live in Rome,” Elias said as he led her to another man, his features plainly Italian. “My brother-in-law Dario, and my sister Ekaterini.” Their receptions were both warm as well. “Dario is Vanna’s brother,” Elias said as he led her to the children.
They lined up in a neat row, from tallest to smallest, and Scarlett immediately found them enchanting. “Aristotle, eight; Aleni, six; Fabrizio, four.” Each of the children smiled at her. Elias knelt in front of the smallest child, who waved at him and lifted her arms. “And this little one is Catherina. Ekaterini has dubbed her Cat until she has a chance to grow into her name.”
“You have beautiful children,” Scarlett murmured, conscious of Carter’s eyes upon her from across the room. Lydia and Thea also regarded her avidly, but with intense dislike.
Elias nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, they are all saints,” he said with gusto, earning a chuckle from Vanna. “Only the three oldest belong to us. Cat is our niece.”
Dinner was a loud and boisterous affair. Scarlett remained quiet for the most part, content to listen to the family speak to each other, often in loud, but loving, tones. She learned that Elias helped Vanna and Dario manage their father’s export business, and had been the one to introduce Ekaterini, the youngest Braxton child, to Dario three years ago. They lived in Rome and didn’t find as much time to visit as they all would like. Upon learning that Carter would only be on the island for twe
lve days, Elias had organized their vacation, practically closing down their shipping offices. “Family must come first,” he said. “Just as our father taught us.” A toast was drunk in honor of Santori, and then Elias raised his glass once more. “A toast to Justin,” he said.
Lydia’s expression froze, and tears leaked from her eyes. “I won’t drink a toast to my dead husband with her sitting at the same table.” She glared at Scarlett.
Scarlett set aside her glass. “If you’ll excuse me,” she whispered to no one in particular, rising from the table before protests could be made. She hurried from the room. To her surprise, Carter followed her, stopping her in the hallway just a few steps from her bedroom door.
“Wait, Scarlett,” he said, taking hold of her arm and ending her flight. “You don’t have to leave because of Lydia.”
“It will make her more comfortable,” Scarlett said in a distant voice, keeping her eyes from his. “It’s her home, and I’m not even a guest.”
“Lydia enjoys drama.” Carter dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “If your presence wasn’t stirring her up, something else would be.”
Scarlett refused to meet his eyes, and tried to shrug his hand off her arm. “Please let go of me,” she said firmly. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Impossible.” Carter chuckled. “I’ve yet to see anything impair your...healthy appetite.”
“Being at the same table as the Braxton family is rather awkward, don’t you think?”
“Why are you acting this way?” he asked, forcing his features to remain slack.
“I’m not acting any way,” she answered. “I’m just tired, and I’m fed up with your sisters. I’d like to go to my room now.”
“I’d like for you to join us,” he said, releasing his grip on her arm. “Elias and the rest of the family have been very warm to you.”
Scarlett ignored the rest of his statement, choosing to focus on the beginning. “I really don’t care what you’d like,” she whispered. “If you recall, I agreed to be your collateral for six months. I didn’t agree to be at your beck and call.”
“Of course. How could I forget the terms of our bargain?” She watched as her turned to go back to the dining room, never once looking back.
Scarlett spent the remainder of the evening in her room. She found herself unable to sleep after the long afternoon nap, so she read a book until early in the morning, when her eyes finally started to close. She laid aside the novel and curled under the comforter, forcing herself not to think of Carter.
She’d been so hopeful, and she freely admitted that. Sometime in the past few weeks, she’d seen past Carter’s hard exterior, to the man beneath. She’d responded to him in a way that was new to her, and she’d started to love him.
When they were away, Scarlett was convinced he’d come to care for her too. She knew that people didn’t have to be in love to sleep together, and she hadn’t thought he loved her, but she’d hoped he cared for her at least. Carter was such a contradiction, at times gentle and considerate, other times cold and aloof. She’d thought he was learning to trust her, and that maybe he would love her in return someday.
Sighing, Scarlett punched up her pillow and turned over, brushing off the weak tears that trickled down her cheeks. She wasn’t going to waste any more time on Carter, trying to figure him out. Contrary to what she’d imagined, he was a cold, ruthless man, and he’d used her for his amusement. She’d given him the opportunity once, but she wouldn’t make that mistake again.
She was roused from a deep sleep by someone tapping on her bedroom door. Scarlett blinked her eyes, calling a groggy, “I’m coming,” as she slid from the comfortable bed. In bare feet, she padded to the door and opened it to find Ekaterini and Vanna on the other side.
“You aren’t dressed yet?” asked Vanna, clicking her tongue. “Well, hurry, Scarlett. The chopper leaves in thirty minutes.”
Wild hope and some intangible sadness stirred in her stomach. “Is Carter sending me home?” she asked, blinking.
