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“Yeah.”
“It looks good,” he says huskily. Then he clears his throat. “I asked my assistant to purchase a house because my apartment is clearly not suitable for you and LJ.”
My hand covers my face. “Please tell me you didn’t buy a house just so we can stay in it for a short while.”
“I did.”
My hand falls. “Why? It wasn’t necessary. It would have been better at a hotel.”
“Not in New York and it is not suitable for LJ either. He clearly needs his space and a place to play with his cars and other toys. This house has a pool, a yard, living area, a generous kitchen, and is on the water with private beach access.”
“You didn’t have to go to so much trouble. This place must cost a fortune, Kalum.” I shake my head. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s done, Aura. I want you and Lane to feel comfortable while you stay with me. My lawyer informed me that your lawyer says there is a lot of media presence at the front gates of your home. Companies will harass you and come after you to buy youout or worse, threaten you. That is a lot to handle when you just lost a husband and LJ lost his father.”
My eyes well with unshed tears.
“I know it hurts, Aura. I see the love you have for him. The way you take care of LJ. It is plain as day you both loved each other. I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that he asked me to watch over you both. Of all the people, it should have been Exie.”
“Exie took over the family business and Lane wasn’t on speaking terms with his mother or father because of his choices. Those choices also included me. They weren’t very happy when we married because of the way we did it and?—”
“Because you don’t come from a predominant family and have money.”
“Yeah. I guess he thought it would put Exie and me in a bad spot with his family. It wouldn’t be good for LJ and his future.”
“I guess Lane and I both agree on one thing. We don’t give a shit about what our parents think and don’t let them dictate what we want for our future. It makes sense. But there is one thing I don’t understand, Aura.”
“What is that?”
“What do you want for your future? What do you want to do? I understand LJ’s future is secure as it should be, but what about you?”
My eyes lower because, for the first time, someone has asked what I wanted. All my time with Lane, I waited for him. He was quiet and reserved but his focus was on Turner Racing and his builds. He showed me his work and taught me things I never thought I would learn about cars and how fast they could go.
He made sure my needs were met and when he was vocal, he would tell me he loved me and that everything he was doing was for us. When I had LJ, my life revolved around raising him butnot once did he ask me what my dreams were or what I wanted to do.
“I-I don’t know,” I stammer. I guess having LJ, I never had time to think about it. There weren’t many options for someone like me.”
His parents washed their hands of me the year, I lost my parents. I had no money. I had no one. Not even him.
“Let’s find the main bedroom so you can get situated. Camila chose a room right next to yours for LJ so you wouldn’t have to worry if the main bedroom was too far.”
“I could have taken the room next to his. The master should be your room.”
“I’m not staying.”
“Oh… I thought––”
“I’m staying in my apartment in the city. It’s convenient. I can’t?—”
“Stay.
He flinches when I hit the mark. I get it. He sent me and LJ away. I should be relieved, but we are being sent here to hide away like a secret annoys me. I know it’s for my safety but still.
The house feels like a trap, like we are in a witness protection program. Kalum wouldn’t want to be seen with us anyway. He has a life and I’m sure a slew of women he entertains. This is a favor from a friend that passed away and maybe he feels doing this would help him relieve the guilt about what happened between us.
“I live a fast-paced life and I’m always on the go. I have business meetings and?—”
I raise my hand to stop him. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. You have a life and honestly, you don’t have to do this. I appreciate it and so does Lane, even if he is no longer with us. I already feel bad for imposing on you. I could go backand I’ll figure it out. It really is no big deal. I can handle it on my own.”
