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“I found it in your grandfather’s library. It looked good.”
“It is, so far. Do you usually have men reading to you?”
My eyes left his for the briefest moment. “I guess you’re special. My mom was the only one who read to me. What about you? Do you do this for every woman you date?”
“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but I told you, I don’t date. Not for almost a year now, anyway. And I don’t sleep around. I never have time for anything. My life was exhausting. Nothing’s ever done. When you run corporations, they’re your friends and your lovers. They’re your life.”
I sat up, studying his face as he placed in the bookmarker and sat the book down.
“And now?”
Aimon shrugged. “They apparently survive without you. Although, I have to admit, I’m freaking out not knowing what’s going on.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Yeah. I think I might. That world is all I’ve ever known.”
“I’m sure you were great at it.”
“I was okay. No, I was the best.”
We laughed, and I rolled my eyes, lowering back to the pillow. Aimon hesitated, but followed suit, facing me, not inches away.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Aimon, don’t be ridiculous, you owe me no such thing. It’s me, I—”
“Nope. You don’t get to apologize for that. Clean slate. We were both influenced by internal and external circumstances and we were not in our right minds. I forgive you, if that’s what you need to hear.”
“And I forgive you as well. For…making me scream?”
We laughed again, growing quiet as we stared at each other. An eternity could have passed, and I wouldn’t have known it as I watched Aimon’s battle play out on his face. I shouldn’t have been so relaxed here. This wasn’t my home. It wasn’t my choice, yet here I was starting to fall for the man I pretty much raped. I was wearing all new clothes, and I was eating the best food of my life. Despite Thomas’s words in the library, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I should have been fighting. Begging? Burning this place to the ground?
I wasn’t, and I knew why.
“Do you like it here, Fay?”
The comfort in me disappeared as guilt took over. I paused. “It’s not bad. It’s not ideal, either. I really do need to leave. I can’t stay in this room or house forever. I need to find a job. I need to figure things out. Your grandfather’s not going to be very happy.” I frowned, not quite sure why. Maybe it was that even though I didn’t know him; when I saw him, my mind still went to the videos of him and my father together. They didn’t look alike, but I could clearly see their bond. And my father wasn’t coming back. Soon, the only man close to him would be leaving too. For some reason, that twisted my stomach and heart. It didn’t make sense, but none of this did. “He’s dying, Aimon. All he wants is someone to carry his name. To be proud of what it stands for. I guess I get that. I’m all that’s left of my own line.”
“Which is great. George was great. But you weren’t raised like me. Or with him. Charles made my life miserable.”
“But he made you the best. You said so yourself.”
Aimon’s eyes flickered. “Yeah…but it was hell. Look where we are right now. Is this the actions of a sane, normal person?”
“No. But this isn’t a sane, normal family. The Carmelo’s didn’t get here from going to a nine-to-five. From what I’ve heard, sacrifices were made. If you needed protection growing up then bloodshed, I’m sure. Sweat. Heartache. Do you know the history of your family?”
Aimon didn’t answer. He only stared at me.
“We should get him to tell the stories again. I think no matter how this turns out it would be good to know.”
“I know my family history. It was grilled into me. But what’s real of it…who’s to say? Besides, it was a different time. That’s over now. You read too many books, Mistress Fayette. And I’m not talking the darker ones. You’re one of those romantics. You’re trying to find good where there isn’t any.”
The edge of my mouth pulled back as I took in his words.
“Romance never hurt anyone.”
“Don’t be so sure about that.”
