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“Lauren—” my prompt pulls her big eyes back to me.
“Swimsuit,” she utters shyly. I help her to her feet and walk us through to the kitchen. “I put the coffee on. Hope you don’t mind.” Her voice is nervous—her gaze fleeting.
“I want you to feel at home here.” I want to feel at home with her here. For all my intentions to keep her safe and away from me, now that I've given in to the possibility of us exploring this more permanently, I can't envision it any other way. I want her. Not just here, but also at Carson Court. If it was any other woman, I would be second-guessing my feelings and rejecting them, but she has a serene quality about her that my chaotic life has been missing. My family home will overwhelm her, so I don’t mention it.
Taking back ownership of Carson Court finally seems possible, and stepping inside the other week only cemented my need to secure it for myself. Royce never changed a thing—he really did try to mould himself as the new Nicholas Carson. He was a piss-poor substitute.
Lauren makes our coffee, and I lay out a tray with pastries and some fruit. “What if someone recognises you?”
“We can use the pool on the roof if you’d prefer—swimwear optional.” I grin.
“It’s freezing!”
Laughing, I take a seat, and she takes the one beside me, sliding a cup in my direction. “It’s not that cold.”
“Maybe not for you.” She shudders, and a thought occurs to me. I have access to plenty of pools. They don’t have to be here in London.
“Let's skip swimming. I'll hit the gym, and we can slob out before everyone gets here later.” I break a croissant and pop some in my mouth. “I’ve got some emails I need to attend to, but I’m all yours after that, okay?”
* * *
I’ve been in contact with Matteo since our bust-up over Lauren, but this is the first time we will all be together. He arrives with Perry and Amberley in tow, and any awkwardness I expect is shot to pieces when Lauren gives Perry and him a hug before linking arms with Amberley and walking off.
“You look like you’re about to go to war,” Matt muses, walking to clap me on the back. “I’m already regretting making a move because her friend is refusing to even look my way,” he grumbles, and I chuckle, watching the girls disappear. I hadn’t pegged the leggy blonde as his type, but his despondent frown is fixed down the hall on her.
“That's karma for touching what was mine.” I smirk, leaving him behind as I search out Lauren. She is perched on one of the stools, pouring out a glass of wine. I stand behind her, and Perry passes me a drink. “Anyone heard from Kat?”
Muted headshakes stare back at me, but Amberley surprises me by saying, “I think she is trying to slip away.” She pulls her phone out, and I frown down at the screen. Amberley types out a quick response.
We’re all here. Can’t wait to catch up :) x
“Thanks,” I reply gruffly, sipping my drink. Lauren squeezes my hand, and we move to the dining table. I barely use the thing—any time the guys are round, it’s either reheated meals from Carly or takeout. I helped Lauren prep all afternoon, and she has even set out some appetisers.
“You owe me forty quid.” Perry holds out his hand to Matt.
“Are we not having takeaway?” Matt looks at the decorated table as my girl chuckles. “We always have takeout.” He throws me a reproachful look.
I hold my hands up. “Hey, I was down for takeaway. Blame the boss—she was having none of it.”
They exchange money, and Lauren plucks it out of my friend's hand. “You hardly won fairly. I told you I was cooking.” Her pointed look at Perry has his ears turning red.
“You damn cheat!” Matt laughs, taking the notes from Lauren, who’s holding them out to him. Amberley takes a seat next to Perry, and we all find our places, music softly playing in the background. It doesn't pass me by that this will be the only sense of normality I will experience with this woman, not only because of Royce but because she is too dedicated to her role at the hotel, and it inflates my desire to whisk her away to somewhere outside of London. Hooking my hand over the back of her chair, I lean in and nip her ear. “Thank you for doing this.”
Her lips find mine and brush my mouth in a quick kiss. “It’s nice. It feels good, all of us being here. I hope Kat manages to get away.”
It’s times like now, when I feel happy, that the pain rushes to the surface—my father will never get to enjoy this with me: meet my friends, Lauren, or witness my success. My mouth turns down, and I run my thumb over my lip, disabled by an acute sense of sadness. Perry frowns at me, and I shake my head, grateful Lauren is busy chatting to her friend and oblivious.
My unease extends to Kat, too. I’m battling with the guilt of putting her through this pain. I know I can’t stop it—ruining Royce has become an addiction. I don’t wish to lose her. Choosing me over her parents isn’t an easy task.
An hour passes, and I’m about to ask Amberley if she has heard from Kat when the main door clicks and my gut swims with hope. My sister appears, and I stand, walking quickly to her. Small arms wrap around my waist, and I hold her to my chest, kissing her temple. “I’m glad you came.”
“It’s never going to be the same, is it?” Pain laces her tone, her voice a broken rasp. The worst of it is yet to come. Her father will go to prison, her mother will become the wife of a criminal, and Kat will feel as alone as I did all those years ago. She needs to know I'm here for her. That I’m not the bad guy in all this. Losing to a man like Royce has always unsettled me, but watching my sister become like them terrifies me.
“No, but I couldn’t let him get away with it, Kat.” My voice is thick with emotion, and her arms tighten.
“I know. It hurts, but I get it, Cain. I’m sorry for everything he has done. He’s losing his mind with rage.”
“He’s got away with it for too long. I’m sorry you're hurting. I don’t want this to ruin our relationship. It will be tough, but I'm here.”
