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Once he’s composed himself, he spears me with mirth-filled obsidian eyes. “That’s dark, little bird. I guess you’re showing me yourbluecolors.”
I nibble my banana in a concentrated effort to keep my face void of my threatening laughter until he rises from the island. “But in all seriousness,eat. I swear it’s all perfectly delicious.”
I quirk a brow. “Swear on your life.”
His nostrils flare, and he closes the space between us until my breasts brush across the fabric of his t-shirt. He tilts his head to one side, raking his eyes across every inch of my face. His gaze is so intense that I break first, looking down at the iced tea in my hand.
Anywhere but into those impenetrable midnight eyes.
His thumb and index finger pinch my chin to tip my head back. “If my life was worth a damn, I’d swear on it.” My stomach swirls as his gaze holds mine, those ebony orbs deepening impossibly further, keeping me their willing captive. “As it is, you’ll have to make do with my word, Wren.”
My breath comes in short bursts as he stares into my eyes. His brow furrows as though in confusion, no doubt mirroring my own, and it feels as if he’s looking right down into the deepest reaches of my soul, into parts I didn’t know existed before now.
Until my cell renders the palpable silence.
I step back, not bothering to check the caller. Only needing to put distance between us.
“Hello?”
“Hey, sweetie. Whatcha doin’?”
My stomach drops when Mom’s voice rings in my ear, and I stumble backward from the force of relief that hits me square in the chest. Vaughn catches me about the waist, setting me on the kitchen island as concern mars his face.
“Where are you, Mom?”
Vaughn immediately whips out a pager identical to the one Ford gave to me when I arrived, frowning as he punches the buttons forcefully.
Mom’s laughter comes down the line. “What do you mean, Wren? You know I’m on Elliott’s yacht. We’ve just docked after a blissful week at sea.”
I’m shaking my head as she speaks, blinking my eyes rapidly in disbelief. “No.No,youdidn’t, Mom. I came home for movie night last week. You weren’t there, and the house was in a mess—”
“You know I’m the world’s messiest packer, sweetie.”
“And when I looked for you, an intruder hit me over the head—”
Mom’s sharp inhalation cuts me off. “Oh, sweetie. I had no idea you were hurt…” She trails off as her voice hitches on a sob. “And I wasn’t there. Oh my God, Wren.I wasn’t there.”
Her soft cries make my eyes well up with tears, and I silently long for the comfort of my mother’s embrace. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m okay. Truly. I’m just fine.”
“Did one of the girls come to stay with you? I hate the idea of you being alone.”
“I’m…” My eyes find Vaughn, the strength in his gaze spurring me on. “Actually, I’m in the city. I’m staying with an old friend of yours.”
I can feel his entire body freeze, and once again, I can’t help but wonder why Vaughn’s relationship with my parents was never disclosed to me.
“The only person I know in the city is your Uncle Anthony, Wren. Who else—”
“I’m staying with Vaughn Burton, Mom.”
I’m met with a silence that I quickly try to fill. “Detective Fratelli thought it would be the safest option in the event that the…that the…intruder returned.”
Mom blows out a breath. “Thank goodness you’re with someone I trust, sweetie. Stay there. You’re safe in the city. I’ll come for you when we get back. I’ll get Elliott to turn us around right now—”
“No!” She stops when I voice my dissent more loudly than required. “I’m okay, Iswear.”
My eyes fall shut, and I lower my voice. “Please don’t, Mom. You never do anything for yourself. Please, don’t cut your trip short. I…”
Forehead creasing, I chew on my lip, unsure of what to say next. When silence echoes between us, Vaughn gently slips the cell from my hand.
