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This time he laughs a deep belly laugh before saying, "Where did you think I was going to put it?"
I don't even respond because I've got nothing. Anything and everything August does is sexy as hell. He knows he more than pleases me. So, I am changing the subject.
"Have you heard back from John regarding if I will be called to testify during Eduard's appeal?"
"Actually, John called right before you got back from dropping Elio off. I planned on bringing it up before you distracted me. John said the appeal will be denied, as he doesn't have a leg to stand on. Eduard was caught red-handed. The files Maria brought to Mason's the night everything went down had Eduard's fingerprints all over them, not to mention the paper trail we were able to link to him on attempted murder as it relates to you and murder for hire on your dad. The securities fraud was nothing compared to the murder charges. He's not getting out of prison anytime soon. I still can't believe that Maria would use her son as bait to lure you into signing over your inheritance. Regardless of whether it would work, putting her son through that was heinous."
Maria was many things, but a good mom was not one of them. Knowing my biological mom died giving birth to me brought me some peace in that I knew she hadn’t abandoned me. But I can’t help but wonder if my dad truly loved her. It's possible that if he had the right woman by his side, his addictions might not have taken over his life. As for Eduard, he can rot in hell. The few interactions I had with him only solidified how pompous and vain he was. The man thought he was god's gift to the world and acted like it. I can't help but wonder what a man like him must feel like being locked up.
"Do you think that's why Robert committed suicide? Because he didn't want to spend life in prison?"
I watch as August takes a swig of his whiskey, deep in thought. We've discussed at length everything related to the events that brought us here, but Robert's end was a shock.
"Honestly, I believe a man as prideful as Robert Grand couldn't stand the thought of having his name dragged through the mud. Since he left everything to Ethan, I don't think he ever had any plans to divulge the truth about his paternity. Robert worked his ass off to get where he was. He built his company from the ground up, and it became his identity. I think the scandal coming out was more than he could handle. He couldn't bear to witness his labor of love die. In the end, his work was all he had."
After Robert committed suicide, Ethan became the face of Grand Media. Being in the spotlight doesn't bother him, and unlike August, he wanted to take over his father's company. When Robert was arrested, Ethan struggled emotionally with many things. Finding out the person you thought was your dad never was, was one thing, but then finding out he attempted to kill your biological father and sister, was another. Ethan was so mad for so long. By the time he finally worked up the spirit to speak to Robert and try to get answers, it was too late.
Literally the day Ethan was planning to visit, he received the news of Robert's suicide. He was upset. While Robert was absent for most of his upbringing, he was still the family patriarch, someone Ethan spent years trying to please. For his efforts, Ethan was only ever the shiny toy that Robert would bring out when it suited him. The part Ethan doesn't understand to this day is why Robert left everything to him when he was never his heir.
"I suppose you’re right. I just hate that Ethan feels unsettled with everything. We both want answers that we will never get. I suppose only time will bring acceptance."
Taking a sip of my wine, I look over the horizon to watch the last few seconds of daylight disappear behind the trees.
"I don't think he feels unsettled at all. I'm sure he will always speculate on what Robert's true feelings toward him were, but when everything was said and done, Ethan got what he always wanted. He wanted to take over Grand Media, and now he gets to do it on his terms instead of in his father's shadow."
"You're probably right, and I'm just projecting."
I start stacking my plates to walk dishes back into the house, but August stops me.
"Gigi, talk to me. What's that supposed to mean? I thought we moved passed everything. Did the news of a possible appeal dredge up old skeletons?"
Eduard's appeal brought to light a few things we'd been kept in the dark about, and I haven't wanted to discuss them because I honestly don't know how I feel about the discoveries.
"What was it you said earlier? Oh yeah, that was it: ‘enough with the heavy.’ I don't want to keep looking back because it keeps me from moving forward. I just want to let it go and find peace."
He subtly narrows his eyes at me, and I know he doesn't buy the bullshit I'm spewing, but I don't want to talk about the elephant in the room. So instead, I push my chair out and once again start clearing the table.
"Baby, let me clear the table tonight. I was hoping we could use the new hot tub. You go get ready, and I'll clean up."
He comes over and quickly kisses me before picking up the plates and heading off toward the kitchen. August didn't come with me to Ethan's this afternoon because the contractors were putting the finishing touches on the hot tub we had custom-made.
A few months ago, sitting on the deck taking in the sunset, I casually said, "The only thing we're missing out here is a hot tub." After that, he ran with it. The following day, we were meeting with contractors to have a custom in-ground hot tub installed right off the side of the deck. To say it turned out amazing is an understatement. It looks like a natural hot spring that you would find in Colorado and blends effortlessly into the cabin's foothill.
We've learned a lot living together. Even the added stress of raising a preteen hasn't been an obstacle that would keep us apart. August knew that I wasn't leaving Elio regardless of our genetic ties. We're still not sure why Maria told Elio he was a bastard child. She could have just said it flippantly without regard for the true meaning, or she was indeed sleeping around and believed Elio was the product of that affair. In the end, the point is moot because he is mine.
Sittingonthefloorin the walk-in closet I share with August, I'm debating on my choice of swimsuit for the evening. A few months back, I made an impulse buy online after seeing my social media page flooded with sexy swimsuits from a new trendy women's boutique. It's a cheeky number for sure, one that August has yet to see.
For the most part, I would say my style tends to be more conservative. Growing up, I never wanted to draw attention to myself, and that has stayed with me. This suit is definitely out of character for me, but I want to impress my man. It's a black string bikini. The top is v-cut with crisscross ties that wrap around my front and tie in the back, while the string bottoms sit high on my waist, leaving little to the imagination in the back. Glancing in the mirror, I have to admit I look good. I've gained a few pounds over the past year, but honestly, they were needed. August likes to take credit for the fact that since we've lived together I haven't had one fainting episode. He makes sure I never miss a meal. It doesn't hurt that he lavishes every inch of my body with his lips every chance he gets making me feel secure and beautiful with my new curves.
Making my way to the kitchen, I catch a glimpse outside and notice that the landscape lighting has yet to come on. August is nowhere to be found. This must mean he went to check the breaker, so I head over to the wine fridge to grab a bottle and two glasses before heading out.
When I make my way out onto the deck, my heart drops. There's a pathway of candles for me to follow all the way to the hot tub where August awaits. Currently, he has his back to me while he looks out over the infinity edge on the far side of the tub. I do my best to keep quiet and commit this entire scene to memory. If you had told me that August had this side to him when we first met, I wouldn't have believed it. Don't get me wrong, he is still very confident and demanding as hell, but for me he bends, for me, he is soft, and this right here is one of those moments.
Of course, my endeavors to be inconspicuous fail. Once I've made it halfway to the hot tub, August turns around. We've always had this sixth sense where the other is concerned. I can feel him in a room before I ever lay eyes on him and vice versa.
Immediately, I can tell he likes what he sees. His gaze darkens, and he flashes me that panty-dropping smile while crossing the tub to meet me.
When I reach the hot tub, I set the wine and glasses down on the side deck before making my descent. I could have held the glasses and bottle as I made my way in, but I needed a reason to turn around. He may like the front, but he will love the back. The warm water lapping at my calves feels absolutely divine, and I have to resist the urge to walk all the way in. I don't even attempt to look at August because turning around would be a lost cause. Taking a deep breath, I pull in a lungful of confidence and spin around to bend and grab the glasses.
