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I glanced around Simone’s loft. She needed to stay at the mansion so I could get Conrad squared away. She’d probably be pissed. I could tell she loved her independence. But I couldn’t have her in the loft alone. Not even with Jones or Darwin. I needed to protect her.
“Yes. Just don’t leave the room. Keep the curtains closed.”
“I know. I’m just bored.”
He wasn’t bored. He was itching for a high.
Our mother was an alcoholic and popped pills. She had an addictive nature, and Conrad was just like her. I’d put him in a couple treatment facilities, but he always signed himself out. There was only so much I could do to protect him or dig him out of the deep shit he found himself in. For years, I’d feared he’d end up dead one day. And now the Morosov family was after him.
“I’ll be there when I can.”
“Yeah, all right. Don’t forget the food.”
“I won’t.” I ended the call and stood, stretching my back out and cracking my neck. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Simone. The woman was a firecracker. She was sure to bust my balls for making her stay at the mansion, but she didn’t have a choice. If I had to lock her in a room and tie her to the bed, I would.
Simone meant too damn much to me. And that gave her the power to destroy me.
5 Simone
THE WALLS IN my childhood room were closing in on me. Mom redecorated it a month after I moved out. I hadn’t slept here once in the last four years. Not when Mom begged me to stay on Christmas Eve so we could spend Christmas morning together. Not following any of her grandiose dinner parties when I was three sheets to the wind.
I always went home, even though I knew it hurt my mother’s feelings. I didn’t want to upset her, but the mansion, all fourteen thousand square feet of it, was suffocating.
I rubbed my hands over my bare arms, wishing I had a sweatshirt to throw over the dress I was wearing. I couldn’t even borrow one from my mom. She detested most athletic wear and jersey fabrics. If it wasn’t stylish, it wouldn’t be found in her wardrobe. And I’d never ask Dad for one of his. We weren’tthatclose.
Christ, I wanted to go home. Why wasn’t Axel back yet?
“Simone?” Will’s voice came from the other side of the door. He knocked softly. He remembered how I startled easily. Of course he did. My brother was the most considerate of the St. James men and never forgot anything.
“Come in.”
The door opened slowly. “Hey, how are you?”
I popped my shoulders up, adjusting myself on the bed so he could sit. “Been better.”
His dark eyes held so much understanding and compassion. Will and I had always been close. When my parents were scolding me for something stupid, he defended me. Even when he knew it would only get him grounded too. Or extra hours working at SJI.
“They’re going to catch him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Always Mr. Confident.”
He flashed me a cocky grin. “Always.”
“Is Miranda doing okay? She was really worked up. You should be with her instead of me.”
Will took my hand between his. “Hey, you’re my sister. I should be with you.”
I snorted. The liar. “She made you check on me, didn’t she?”
“I wanted to check on you too.”
I shook my head. “You’re the best brother and husband on the planet. And you’ll be the greatest father to Mia.”
“I like it when you stroke my ego.” He winked with a broad smile. “But you’re diverting the conversation away from you. Tell me what you need.”
Sometimes he knew me too well.
“I just want to go home. You know I don’t like being here for too long. They’re breathing down my neck.”
