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A sullen silence fell, and they stood there awkwardly. Carter took a deep breath, but there was still a flush to his cheeks. “Scarlett, this is my mother, Athena.”
Scarlett held out her hand, and Athena accepted it. It wasn’t a cordial exchange, but she wasn’t openly hostile. She turned to be introduced to the taller sister. Her eyes were dark and full of anger, and she held herself stiffly. “Scarlett, this is Thea.”
Scarlett extended her hand, but the other woman made no move to accept it. “This is a beautiful mosaic,” she said, faltering as those angry eyes continued to drill into her.
“You are not worthy to stand upon it,” Thea snapped, earning a sharp rebuke in Greek from her brother.
The last sister, who could only be Lydia, was also openly hostile. Scarlett didn’t bother to offer her hand, and she said nothing. After a tense silence, Lydia suddenly burst out, “How can
you bring her here to our home, Carter? After what her father did? How can you bring such a traitor into this house?” With an angry sniff, Lydia turned on her heel and stomped away, quickly followed by Thea. Only Athena remained, and she was standing quietly, watchful.
Finally she spoke. “I did not know you were bringing a guest,” she said to Carter before turning to Scarlett, “So it will take a little time to arrange a room for you, Ms. Terini.”
“Please call me Scarlett.”
After a brief hesitation, Athena nodded once, “That would be for the best, I’m sure,” she said cryptically. “Let us have refreshments on the patio while we wait for your room.”
Scarlett followed Carter and his mother through the house, as Darren brought up the rear. Athena disappeared inside to order the room prepared before reappearing with a tray of fruit juice and biscuits. Conversation was stilted as they waited for the time to pass. “What do you do, Scarlett?” Athena asked as she refilled her glass.
“I’m a student. And you, Mrs. Braxton?”
“You may call me Athena,” she said. “Thanks to my son, I am a lady of leisure.” She gave Carter a proud smile.
“As you deserve to be,” Carter said quickly. “Mama is also active with several charities and often goes into Athens for social functions or charitable causes. Lydia is following in her footsteps.”
A maid appeared to let Athena know that the room was ready, so they went into the house and she took Scarlett into a spare room. It was not very large, but had a bed, a dresser, and a small attached bathroom, making it more than adequate.
To Scarlett’s surprise, Athena closed the door behind her and turned to Scarlett, looking very serious. “I must apologize for the reactions of my daughters, and for myself. I’m sure you can understand how shocked we were to hear your name, but that does not excuse our rudeness.”
“Why do you hate my family?” asked Scarlett, letting her confusion show.
With a great deal of surprise, Athena raised her brows. “You do not know?” Scarlett shook her head, waiting for an explanation that didn’t come. “Carter will tell you when the time is right I’m sure,” said Athena, looking uncomfortable as she opened the door. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Dinner will be at nine, and it’s your decision if you want to dress up. I recommend cool and casual in this heat,” she added with a smile as she left.
Sighing, Scarlett unpacked her things, wondering at the angry reception from his family. What was the missing piece in this mystery? They obviously all knew something she did not, and she figured it must be connected with her father. She had to find out what was going on.
10
Carter
Carter was settling into the room his family kept prepared for him when his mother knocked. “Mama.” He hugged her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “It’s good to see you again.”
“I’m happy to see you too, but you have some explaining to do.”
“It’s not your concern.” Of course she would want to meddle. She practically couldn’t help herself.
“Do not use that misogynistic nonsense with me,” Athena said in a strong voice. “Your father used it much too often to hide his failures, and I won’t be lied to or kept in the dark any longer.”
Carter nodded. “I finally have Terini where I want him. He offered me one of his daughters in exchange for a six-month extension before I take his home. He’s desperately scrambling to come up with close to two million as we speak,” he said with ferocious satisfaction.
“Why would you agree to such a ridiculous bargain?” Athena demanded. “Are you in love with the girl?”
“Of course not.” Carter let out a cold laugh. “I would never allow myself to love a Terini. It is simply another way to toy with Rocco.”
“And that innocent girl is caught in the middle,” Athena summed up, her disapproval evident.
“She’s a Terini, so therefore she is not innocent,” said Carter with firm conviction.
“Just because she bears her father’s name does not mean she shares his character,” said his mother.
