AllFreeNovel
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He reminds me of memories I buried a long time ago. We are both different people, and I’m mourning the loss of my husband. The man who took care of me when no one was there. Took me in and showed me love and gave me a home. A family.
LJ makes noises, digging the car toy in the leather.
“LJ, honey, please don’t do that to the seat with the car.”
He looks up with a worried expression and then glances at Kalum. He looks at the leather, and his lips tremble.
“It’s okay, Aura. He can do whatever he wants.”
“He could ruin your car.”
“I’ll have it replaced if something happens. It is no issue. I want him to feel comfortable when he is with me. I wantyouto feel comfortable with me.”
“I don’t want to be with you or around you,” I quip.
“I’m sorry, but there is no other choice. It is for you and your son’s safety. It’s done.”
I know Lane informed me in the letter I have in my lap about men escorting me somewhere safe once the news is out that I’m finally meeting lawyers, but I never thought it would be Kalum, of all people. The safe is in an armed vehicle traveling behind us, and I wonder where he is taking us. He said his penthouse, but then what? The media have been in a frenzy since Lane’s death, but all I can think about is how to move forward without him. How can I when I have my past sitting next to me?
28
AURA
We arrive in front of an elegant building. The doorman waits for us to exit the car. Kalum does not let the driver open the door for us and opens the side closest to the entrance.
We are shown up to the top floor, and the elevator opens directly inside what I assume is Kalum’s penthouse.
LJ and I both exit the elevator with Kalum right behind us, but being in an unfamiliar place, LJ and I both pause and survey the apartment.
Scanning the opulent space, with white marble floors, gray carpet, with chrome and glass furniture, I find it cold and soulless.
LJ must sense the same thing. He looks up, his forehead furrows like his father does when they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. The apartment feels impersonal and nothing like we’re used to.
Our home has life, a coziness to it that screams love and a family that spends countless nights together watching movies, having dinner, and spending time with one another. This place screams emptiness and lack of feeling.
Kalum drops his keys and turns around in his impeccable suit. “Is there something wrong?”
LJ clutches his cars to his chest.
“Everything,” I say, scanning the living room and open kitchen. “Is it possible you can take us back to the hotel?”
Kalum walks toward us. His size is intimidating. Ruthless and cutthroat. His arm stretches every possible inch of his suit jacket. He is still attractive. Beautiful. You can tell he spends hours in the gym.
His expression is hard and lacks warmth. The way he moves around the room is robotic with an edge of coldness to his demeanor.
Memories of when I first met him come back. He hated me when I walked into his life. I expected he would have married a girl like Sarah or found someone to share his similar interests and social status by now.
This place looks like a bachelor pad. No pictures adorn the walls, and the furniture is meant to look good but not to sit on or watch TV with a cozy blanket and eat popcorn. The dining table is glass with a chrome base and is not meant for a five-year-old to sit and have dinner. The better option is to sit on the floor.
“What’s wrong, Aura?” he asks, his voice laced with worry. His gaze lands on LJ and then back at me. “Tell me.”
“I appreciate your concern for us, but this is really unnecessary.” I look down at LJ and then meet his gaze. “We feel uncomfortable here. This is no place for us to stay. It is generous of you to allow us inside your home, but like I said, unnecessary and an inconvenience to you. You must have a wife or girlfriend. It would make her uncomfortable for us to be in your space.”
Kalum glances around his penthouse and slides his hand inside his pocket.
LJ squeezes my dress with his fist. “Mommy, can we go now?” he whispers.
“I’m trying, baby.”
