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Star looks so much like Roxanne did at that age, well from what we saw at a distance anyway. But there is a distinct Theo vibe going on with her too. She has his nose, and despite never having known him or spent any considerable time with him, she seems to have at least one of his mannerisms, tilting her head and arching a brow in concentration. She’s doing it right now as she looks at her phone.
Stepping into the room, I clear my throat not wanting to scare her. She looks up, not in the least bit surprised to see me.
“The third stair from the bottom creaks,” she states casually with a shrug, then turns back to her phone.
I make myself a tea then join her at the table. “Do you mind?”
“Your house, Maddox.”
“Fair enough. It’s yours too if you need it to be.” I sit, placing my cup down.
She nods, offering a small smile. “Is it Roxy’s home too?”
“Damn fucking right it is,” I respond instantly.
This time she laughs before saying, “You’ve not changed at all, still the moody, bossy bastard from ten years ago. It’s good. She’s going to need that.” Her words are sure, but there is an uncertainty about them too. She continues before I have a chance to reply. “She’s changed. I see it. Jaded almost. But she’s coming back now. That’s good too.”
“Anas—”
“Star, Maddox. It’s just Star now,” She corrects quickly. Something dark crosses her eyes, but I nod and leave it alone. I know that look and it speaks of nothing good. “You don’t know what to ask now, do you?”
“I don’t want to upset you, but I’d like to know—”
“What happened, and where I’ve been all this time, right?” I nod, taking a mouthful of my tea and nearly choking on it with Star’s next words. “I’ve been living with the Kavanagh’s in Ireland.”
“What…actual…fuck!” I splutter.
“From that reaction, I’m guessing there wasn’t a lot of talking going on between you three last night.” She takes a sip of her own tea, cradling the cup in her hands as she waits for me to get over the shock of her words. She tries to hide the smirk behind her cup, but she’s not doing a very good job of it.
“You’re going to need to elaborate on that.”
“I rather think that’s a conversation better had when we, all that need to be, are present, don’t you?” says a voice from the doorway.
I hold the growl in, but I can’t hide the scowl on my face at having this man in my house. No man in our world ever does a good deed without some ulterior motive or benefit to him. Theo is testament to that. So whatever Kavanagh has done for Star, for us even, will come at a cost. What that cost will be is still undetermined.
Star gets up and moves to make him a drink as he takes a seat at the table with me.
“What fucking game are you playing, Kavanagh?”
He looks as though he’s about to bite back with some comment that’s designed to rile me up more, but Star stops him when she places his coffee in front of him and says, “You’ve had your fun, Aiden, now we need to unite.”
“Very well. But I stand by my suggestion on having this conversation with everyone here.”
“Fine, I’m going for a shower?” I push out of my chair and take my cup to the sink. I only make it as far as the stairs when Star catches up to me.
“Maddox, wait.” I stop, my hand resting on the newel post, and turn to face her. “Is Roxy…”
“Roxy is right here.” We both look up at her as she reaches us, stopping a few steps from the bottom so that she’s eye level with me. “Everything okay?” Concern flashes in her eyes as she looks between the two of us.
“Yes, all okay,” Star replies with a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Come on, I’ll make you a cuppa. Aiden is already in the kitchen.”
Roxanne’s gaze comes to me, and I know exactly what’s going through her mind. “Ah, so that’s why you look so grumpy,” she says with a giggle.
My eyes narrow on her. “Grumpy?”
“Yes, grumpy. What’s the matter that word not macho, not alpha, enough for you?” She squeals as I snatch her round the waist and lift down the last few steps.
“Fucking grumpy? Makes me sound like one of Snow White’s damn dwarves, and I can assure you I ain’t no fucking dwarf.” I wrap my hand in her hair, forgetting where we are and that we have an audience, and bring her lips within touching distance, but before I allow my lips to touch hers, I say, “I think last night proved that.” Then I take her mouth in a small reminder.
