“You are going to go crazy in that stuffy castle of a prison, Charlotte. You are wasting the best years of your life.”
“It’s not a prison,” I retort. “I live there because of my father, and it’s my home.”
“Bullshit. Edward will control you while you continue to live there, and you know it.”
I stare at her.
“He knows who you date, when you get home, what you are eating for dinner.”
I sip my wine. “It’s true, he does.”
“All I’m saying is that it’s great that you’re ready to start dating, but do it in London, away from your brother.”
“I love my brother, Lars. I know he’s just trying to protect us all after mum died.”
“I know he is, too, and he’s a good man. Just misunderstood.” She smiles as she watches me. “He goes away tomorrow for six weeks, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah.” I frown. “How do you know that?”
Her face falters. “You mentioned it the other week.”
I stare at her for a moment. I didn’t even find this out until two days ago, and I haven’t spoken to Lara in that time.
“What are you doing in town, Lars?” I ask casually.
Is she fucking my brother?
No. Don’t be stupid.
“Oh, it’s Mum’s birthday tomorrow. I got the day off work, so I came home to see her. Do I need an excuse to see my best friend, too?”
“No.” I smile.
“Will you think about London?” she pleads.
“I have my job and I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” I shrug. “If I’m meant to move to London, the universe will give me a sign.”
“I know it will.” She smiles knowingly. “Now, we need to talk about Spencer.” She widens her eyes. “Tell me everything. Let’s stalk him from afar.”
I giggle.
“What does he do for work?” She frowns.
“Steel or something.”
She takes her phone out and begins to search him.
“Don’t tell me anything about the women you find on that thing,” I snap. God, it’s bad enough that he didn’t want me, I don’t need the women he did want rubbed in my face.
“Oh.” She frowns as she reads. “So, he’s an architect who designs skyscrapers and he owns a steel company that supplies to most countries for the said skyscrapers.” She purses her lips. “His company has four hundred staff. Wow, he’s no slouch.”
“I never said he was. You did.”
“Just don’t tell Edward that he came to your work. He will go nuclear. Or your father, for that matter.”
“I’m not that stupid.”
Lara’s eyes hold mine. “Promise me.”
“Promise you what?’
“Promise me you won’t fall for this guy’s cheap pickup lines. He’s a player-the player of all players.”
“I know, I’m not stupid. Give me some credit, please.” I sigh.
“Good.” She smiles broadly.
I sip my wine and stare across the restaurant. If only she knew that I offered myself to him on a silver platter and he turned me down.
I close my eyes in disgust. What the hell was I thinking?
* * *
It’s 10:00 p. m. and all is quiet on the estate. I pull the curtains back and stare out into the darkness. My mind keeps going over the fact that Lara knew Edward was going away tomorrow.
How did she know that? Had I told her and forgotten?
No. I hadn’t even known it myself.
I see the two security guards walking down the road performing their last sweep of the grounds for the night, and I walk out onto my front porch. “Hello,” I call out as they approach my property.
“Hello, Charlotte.” They both smile.
“Lovely night,” I say, aiming for casual.
“Yes, and warm for this time of year.”
“Does my brother have company tonight?” I ask.
They glance at each other. “I believe so,” Ryan says with caution.
“Do you know who with?”
They exchange looks again. “A… female friend,” Ryan answers.
I fold my arms over my chest. “And her name is?”
They once again look at each other. “We’re not sure, Charlotte.”
I tilt my chin and think for a moment. “Is this the first time she has been to the estate?”
“No, I don’t believe it is,” Ryan says. The two of them keep walking past in the hope that their interrogation will soon be over. “Goodnight, Charlotte,” Ryan calls out, effectively ending the conversation.
“Goodnight.” I huff, and I turn back into my house.
I head straight for the kitchen and flick the kettle on.
Edward and Lara? Surely not.
She sees other people. It was only last week that she went on a date with someone.
I think back over all the times over the years when they have had aggressive arguments with one another… mostly over me. Although, I must admit, they have always seemed to know a lot about each other.
Why would they hide it if something was going on?
Are they fucking?
No. They’re not. I know they’re not. I’m just imagining things that aren’t there.
God, I really do need to get out more. Lara is right; I’m going crazy cooped up in this castle.
I make my tea and sit on the couch, my mind in overdrive.
I tap my tooth with my fingernail as I think. I wonder if Lara’s car is at his house.
I go into my office and pull the drapes back. I can see the lights from his house in the distance.
He has his own road in and out of his place, just like I do, but because his house is at the end of the estate, I wouldn’t have any clue who he has down there. Until tonight I’ve never wanted to know.
Well, damn this.
I go out to my front porch, sit on the steps, and put my trainers on. I’m going to see exactly who Edward is bedding tonight.
And if it is Lara, there is going to be blood. Whether that’s his or hers, I don’t know yet, but I won’t be impressed if they are sneaking around behind my back.
His, I decide. It will be his blood.
The thought of him sleeping with my best friend boils my blood.
She’s way too soft and sweet for him.
I know for sure if I had someone here for the night, Edward would be here in an instant, ordering them home. I look down at my white sweater. Hmm, this won’t do. I run upstairs and change into a black jumper and a black beanie. If I’m going to go spying, I may as well look the part.
I turn the torch on my phone on, and I look left and right to make sure the coast is clear. Then I slowly start to walk down the road towards Edward’s house. It’s a fair distance from my house, but I know the security staff have done their last check for the night and are tucked back in their office at my father’s. Wyatt finished work at 6:00 p. m. because he thought I wasn’t going anywhere.
I walk, and walk, and walk.
God, this seems it’s a lot farther in the dark.
I finally arrive at Edward’s house and duck behind a tree before I peer around it. Like my house, his house is made of sandstone and covered in ivy. Our houses are near identical, both two storied with four bedrooms. The only differences being that he has had his house updated to his tastes and added another large living area at the back. Unlike me, he won’t be leaving his house, so he has made it his forever home.
I tiptoe across the large circular driveway. There are no cars here, damn it. She must be parked in his garage, whoever she is.
The lights downstairs are off. I walk around to the side of his house and look up to the higher floor. Edward’s bedroom light is on and the curtains are open.
Ugh, damn it, I wish I could just see who he has up there.
I blow out a breath and sit down on the ground for a moment.
I look around and wonder what to do.
About three metres out from his window sits a large tree. What if I climbed it? Just got a look at who is in there and then climbed down.
No harm done.