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“Fuck,” he hissed out.
“Language,” she chided.
“How in the hell can you know that I’m here? We just landed.”
“Of course, I know you’re at the castle. You think the staff doesn’t alert me when you take the jet or visit one of the family properties?”
“Don’t you have anything better to do than spy on your grown children?”
“You know I don’t,” she returned. “And why should I have anything better to do? You kids are my legacy. Your dad has the business; I have you. Now that all the others are mated with pups on the way, I’ve decided to give you all of my attention.”
He groaned. “That’s really unnecessary.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“So.” There was a long and awkward pause. “Who is she?”
“Who?” he asked with a voice that was too high-pitched to be his. It was his giveaway, something his mother had learned a long time ago, damn her.
“Who?Who? The woman you flew with. The one you took to Paris yesterday. Paris, the castle in the Alps. It sure sounds like you’re pulling all the stops to impress someone. Aladysomeone.”
“I am not trying to impress anyone,” he said as softly as possible. He was very aware that Amelia could probably hear him. “I am with an important client who needs protection.”
“Oh, how nice that you started a travel and protection package for our clients,” Mom teased. “I didn’t know Blood Moon Agency offered luxury outings on family property for our most distinguished clients.”
“Mom,” he warned.
“What? Too much?”
“A tad.”
“Just tell me who she is before I have to fly over there myself.”
“Don’t come here,” he snapped, more terrified than angry. He knew better than to underestimate any threat his mother made. She would fly here if she wanted. “You want to be there when Rylee gives birth,” he reminded her.
“But I want to know who this girl is almost as much. Is she your mate? Is that why you’re so secretive?”
“I can’t have this conversation right now. I’m busy.”
“Too busy to give your mother details about your love life.”
“My love life is none of your business, Mom,” he said, immediately cursing himself for saying the wordslove lifewith his mate within earshot. His mother was causing a whole lot of trouble right now.
“Of course, it is. If three out of four of my children have met their mates, it’s only natural that my eldest should also find the other part of his soul. I just want you to be happy, Wilder.” His mother’s tone was more sober now. Nearly sad.
“Iamhappy,” he assured her.
“No. You’re not. You run the business like it’s a prison sentence. You barely call your siblings unless it’s to give them an order, and you only talk to me when I guilt you into giving me details of your life. That doesn’t seem like the actions of a happy person.”
She had a point. Fuck it all. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mom, I am under a lot of stress. I am sorry if my behavior is a little cold. I’ll try to do better, okay?”
“Okay. You can start by being here when your sister gives birth.”
He hissed, “Fuck. Now it just feels like you manipulated that whole conversation to get your way.”
Mom gasped. “What? Who? Me? Manipulate? Never.”
He sighed. He knew better than to argue with her. “I’ll find a way to be there.”
