Proserpina
The sound of Lucien roaring at someone in the corridor alerted us to his arrival and I tensed. But Schwartz held my arms, gently stroking them with his thumbs and I knew what he was trying to say; stay calm.
Our eyes were on the door as my husband strode in. His eyes, grey like cold steel, narrowed as they rested on me and I saw his jaw tighten. But it was the woman who traipsed behind him who caught my attention.
Britney. With the startlingly blonde hair that came from the mixture of chemicals in a bottle, she looked hard-faced and unpleasant, her lips thinning as she looked at me.
Once she had been one of my husband’s favourite wh*res, I thought grimly
Her clothes were inappropriate, to say the least. A fire engine red outfit with a sweetheart neckline and a built-in push-up bra with padded cups that made her breasts thrust out in an awkward way. The asymmetric high-low hem with visible boning details that add silhouette-defining structure and adjustable self-ties spaghetti straps in the back might have looked amazing on a younger woman but this creature, with her ageing, painted face and bright red lips looked like something out of a pantomime.
I knew, without looking at my son that Claude had pursed his lips in a mocking whistle.
The youth who swaggered in behind them was a weaselly-looking fellow, his ginger hair tied back in a greasy ponytail. I could not stop the involuntary shudder as his eyes roved over me and I felt myself stiffen in agitation, grateful for Schwartz who held me steady.
But I was confused as I looked at him. Other than his eyes which were a shade of pale blue, he did not seem anything like the man who stood before us, Lucien Delano, his hard gaze fixed on me. The man who had fathered him, my husband and my lover and the man I would love till the day I died, Lucien Delano.
But as I took in the youth who stood, his smile broadening gleefully as he saw the look on our faces, I felt a ripple of astonishment.
This was Lucien’s son? I felt incredulity rise in me. He did not look at all like my children, all of whom had taken after their father, with their trademark blonde hair and grey-blue eyes.
His expression was all wrong too.
This young man seemed to have a permanent sneer on his face.
My children had been through a lot too, particularly my eldest twins. but they had been made to respect the people around them and to behave with dignity. This youth had a scruffy look that would never go away, not with all the money in the world. My heart sank. He would never fit in with us, said my gut feeling.
Behind me, Schwartz sighed.
He had also come to the same conclusion.
And yet, something about Cole, the look on his face, predatory and evil, almost, seemed to bring back a memory of someone I had known; I could not recollect who …
The look vanished as I studied him and was replaced by a big grin, but it only served to emphasise his sharp teeth and I felt my breath hitch.
No, I would never feel safe with this man. I would not want to leave him in a room with my daughters.
Never.
Schwartz’s hands tightened.
He must have guessed at the turmoil within me.
“Relax,’ he murmured softly so that only I could hear him.
***
Ria
Ria felt her body grow hot and then cold. So, this was her half-brother? This youth who looked to be closer to her age and her twin brother Piers, than their brother Claude?
She glanced swiftly at her siblings. Piers was glaring at the young man, his fists clenched. The veins on his neck stood out. He was enraged. But Ria knew that he would not do anything to upset their mother.
Paddy had a vacant look on his face but Ria saw the quick looks he kept darting at the newcomers and knew that the wheels in his active brain were turning. He would be at his basement monitors soon, dredging up every single source of information about the two.
Claude had made a low whistling sound when he saw the woman and Ria had heard him say,
“Man, Pappa fu*ked THIS sh*t?’
She rounded on him, shooting him a look. NO upsetting Mumma said her gaze and he gave a reluctant nod.
The youngest three were staring at the newcomers with undisguised dislike while Claude now had a pugnacious look on his face; like he was spoiling for a fight. He was standing, shoulders hunched, large fists bunched and looked as though he would fling himself at the two people who had entered along with their father, at any time now.
As for Proserpina Delano; Ria felt her chest swell with pride.
Her mother looked gorgeous: Melissa had brought out the latent sensuality in the lovely woman who stood close to Schwartz and Ria felt her heart go out to her mother. She had been through such a lot.
And this evening, she looked amazing. Yes, what Dom had said earlier, was correct. Proserpina Delano could give anyone a run for their money when it came to sensuality. She swayed as she moved forward now, a bright smile on her face. Uncle Schwartz had been supporting her, holding her gently but now she stepped away from him, determination writ large on her beautiful face.
Only her family could see that she was hurting, as her eyes, mocha in colour, flickered over Britney, that painted caricature of a woman.
Ria grimaced. Pappa must have had a terrible taste in women when he was young!
Her eyes moved to her mother again, the purple dress hugging her figure so very sensuously. Melissa should have been a stylist, thought Ria admiringly as she saw the jealousy on Britney’s face. Proserpina still looked amazing and so much better than the horrendous tramp who was trying to hang on to her father’s arm.
As for her father; Ria smiled craftily to herself. Her father simply could not take his eyes off his wife; he was staring at her as though he was seeing her for the first time. Like a man besotted. He stood, his arms by his side, fists clenching and unclenching as he looked at her, practically devouring her, oblivious of Britney who was trying to grab his attention, tugging at his arm ineffectually.
Round One, Proserpina Delano, thought Ria turning to wink at Tara.