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“And is this safe?” I inquire, taking the pill bottle from her outstretched hand.
I have to ask because things didn’t go as planned the last time a doctor prescribed me medication.
That’s an understatement of epic proportions.
I’ll add it to the long list of grievances the Fraternitas will be made to account for.
“Ariah.” Dr. Jaffri’s raised voice garnered my attention. I must’ve zoned out admiring her gold and sapphire-encrusted nose ring while I contemplated getting my own piercing.
“Sorry. What did you say? I was distracted by how pretty your nose ring is.”
A warm smile fills her face. “Thank you, and yes, the medication is safe. I will be back to check on you in a month, but if you find that any of the medicine I’ve prescribed isn’t working, please don’t hesitate to call.”
I nod my agreement and thank her before going back to my room.
“Do you think he’s going to look like Dad?” Jamie whispers in my ear.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “We’ll find out soon. He should be arriving any minute now.”
I scan the dining room table. The twins look five seconds away from being over it. They’re fidgeting and pulling at their suits. They really hate wearing them, and I can’t say I blame them. My focus shifts to where my grandparents sit, and the way our grandfather looks at our grandmother makes my heart squeeze.
My eyes close as images of Owen and Wyatt bombard me. We’ve been in Colorado for three weeks, and it has been radio silent. Not a word from any of the guys. So, I’m making peace with the fact that I was truly played.
Inhaling, I open my eyes in time to see Dad walk in with a man and woman. I immediately know the man is our uncle. He has the signature Bradford gray eyes, but his hair is more fiery red than strawberry blond. He’s also taller and broader than Dad. But my uncle isn’t the one who captivates me. It’s the raven-haired woman with eyes so ice blue they almost look white. When her gaze locks on mine, she smiles, and I know instantly that she’s as deadly as she is beautiful, and the deadly may edge out the beauty.
“Holy shit,” I blurt before I can stop myself. Her smile grows even bigger.
“Hello. You must be Ariah.” Her sultry voice caresses my ear like fingers trailing up a spine. Goosebumps race across my skin. I think I have a lady crush.
I nod, unable to get my brain to signal my mouth to speak.
“Kids,” Dad booms, breaking the connection and forcing my attention to where he stands. “This is your Uncle Liam.”
I watch as Liam and the mystery woman take a seat, waiting for Dad to introduce her as well, but the introduction never comes. My lips part, ready to question her lack of introduction, when my grandmother subtly shakes her head just as the mystery woman speaks.
“It’s okay, Miss Tabby. I’ll help Ariah master the art of getting answers from the most unlikely sources soon enough.”
Her sultry voice is so captivating it takes me a moment to register her words. “What do you mean?”
“This is your new trainer,” Dad chimes in.
“And you don’t think I should know my trainer’s name?”
The nameless woman snickers. “So much to learn. I can’t wait to begin.”
I’m tempted to ask more questions and to challenge another instance of secrets being kept from me, but my uncle cuts in, and the conversation moves on to business meetings lined up for the summer that require my father and grandfather’s attention as dinner is served.
“Well, this is uneventful,” Jamie whispers, leaning in so no one can hear.
Amused, icy eyes meet mine, signaling she can hear even over the banter.
How the fuck did she hear that?
Noticing the attention on us, Jamie sits ramrod straight in her seat and begins to eat her food.
As soon as she’s finished, she asks if she and the boys may be excused. The ‘yes’ barely passes Dad’s lips before she shoots from the table, shouting for the twins to hurry up.
“Now that the kids are gone, we can discuss the other reason for this dinner,” my grandfather announces, garnering my full attention. Maybe this dinner won’t be a bust after all.
