“Do I ever,” Zak said. “I also remember the slap to the back of my head when Mom discovered mashed potato smeared all over her kitchen cabinets.”
My eyes misted over. “Good times,” I said wistfully.
Zak wheeled over, carrying the plates in his lap. He set them next to the sink. “There’s better times ahead, sis.”
I looked down at him, my vision blurring. “I dreamed about Marin the other night. I miss him, Zak.”
Zak squeezed my fingers. “You can’t live in the past, Belle. None of us can. Heartbreak lies that way, trust me.”
“How do you stay so positive?”
He shot me a crooked smile, the one that made the dimple in his right cheek appear. I had an identical one in my left cheek.
“Life’s for living, sis. I could have chosen a different path, one where I spent my days sitting in this thing and hiding away from the world, but I’m twenty-three. I have years ahead of me, and I intend to live my life to the fullest.”
“You amaze me.”
Zak winked. “I am pretty amazing.”
I raised my eyes to the ceiling. “Jerk.”
“Talking of jerks, guess who I saw yesterday?”
“Who?”
“Wyatt.”
I flattened my lips at the mention of Marin’s brother. Wyatt had never liked me. Actually, strike that. Wyatt hated me. He’d told me straight to my face on many occasions that I wasn’t good enough for his brother and he’d tried, multiple times, to get Marin to break things off. Jerk was too kind a word for that guy. After Marin died, Wyatt said some awful things that heaped even more guilt on my already bowing shoulders. Things I’d never even told Zak. I’d seen him two or three times since Marin’s funeral but had gone out of my way to make sure our paths didn’t cross.
“Relax, Belle,” Zak said. “He’s moving to Florida.”
I brightened considerably. The other side of the country might just be far enough away, even though I’d prefer the other side of the world. “Great. Let’s hope he stays there.”
Zak chuckled. “Thought you might like that slice of news. And on the Upton Barrick thing, try not to worry. You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
“Yeah, maybe, although you’d probably get through to him far easier than I would. Sebastian Devereaux hired the wrong Laker.”
“Nu-uh,” Zak replied. “You were gifted the patience genes.”
“And the looks.” I winked. “Don’t forget the looks.”
Zak turned on the faucet and flicked water at me. “Whatever.”
I squealed and ducked for cover as he continued to spray me with water. “You’re dead,” I shouted, laughing harder than I had in weeks.
“There’s only ever one winner in this game, Belle, and it ain’t ever you.”
We messed around for a few more seconds until I conceded defeat, and then we tidied the kitchen and wiped up every drop of water. I was surprised Mom hadn’t come to break up our play fighting, but when I walked into the living room, she was fast asleep, an open magazine on the floor by her feet.
Yet another reason I had to stick out this job to the very end. Not only was the monthly salary almost double what I made at the retirement home looking after my elderly residents, but the end-of-year bonus would mean Mom could leave one of her jobs.
Whatever Upton Barrick did to try to make me quit, I couldn’t let him win.
6
Belle
I powered up the steep incline from the bus stop to Upton’s mansion. The weather reporter stated that today was set to be the hottest July on record, and already sweat trickled between my shoulder blades and my breasts.
Following our conversation last night, I’d decided to take Zak’s advice and ask Upton if there was anything particular he’d like to do today. If he greeted me with cold silence or a sharp snap of his tongue, I’d leave him to it and do my own thing. Hence the duffle bag slung over my shoulder contained a two-piece swimsuit and a large bottle of sunscreen, as well as a thick book that should keep me occupied all day. If he wanted to play this game, I’d prove to him that I played it better.
Thanks, bro.
I reached the gate and tapped on the keypad. The second the gates began to open, I blew out the breath that I held every single day since I’d arrived. I kept expecting Upton to change the code. I was surprised he hadn’t, although if I thought back to what Sebastian said, it sounded as if he’d tried that in the past, and for whatever reason, it hadn’t been successful. I didn’t know how he’d behaved with the other women hired to keep him company, but with me, he’d definitely adopted the silent approach.
Perhaps he cycled through strategies until he found one that worked. Maybe today would be the day he’d switch to yelling or saying mean things in the hope I’d finally quit. Whatever he did, I had to remain professional and aloof, and not rise to his poor treatment of me. Upton Barrick struck me as the kind of man who wasn’t afraid to press buttons and see what happened. You didn’t become a billionaire in your twenties if you were afraid of upsetting people. The loss of his sister and the physical challenges he’d faced since the terrorist exploded a bomb that killed ninety-four Angelinos might have knocked him off course, but the backbone he undoubtedly owned was still there, buried beneath his pain.
The house was a fair distance from the road, but I’d gotten used to the daily hike. Better than a gym workout, in my opinion. I breezed into the large hallway, silently thanked the creator of air-conditioning, and headed straight for the kitchen where I’d find Barbara waiting with a cold drink for me. We’d settled into a routine, and she never let me down.
“You’re an angel,” I said, taking the iced tea from her. I drank deeply. “It’s so hot today, and it’s still early.”
“Yeah, gonna be a record breaker.” She bustled over to the fridge and removed a basket of strawberries and raspberries, and a big tub of cream. “Eton Mess for after lunch?”
“Sounds divine.” Upton had stopped accusing me of stealing food when I hadn’t reacted as I presume he’d intended—with rage or at the very least annoyance.
I dropped my duffel bag in the corner where it wouldn’t get in Barbara’s way. “Where is he?”
She jerked her head toward the backyard. “He looks tired today.”
I nodded. “I’ll go say hello. I just love being ignored.”
Barbara laughed. “It’s a good thing you have patience.”
I made a move to leave her to her work, then hesitated and turned back around. “What was he like? Before, I mean.”
Barbara straightened, a large silver bowl in her hands. She set it down and then opened the tub of cream and poured it in. “He smiled more.”
She fell silent, and I got the distinct impression she thought it somewhat of a betrayal to talk to me about him. It wasn’t fair of me to pump her for more information, so I shot her an apologetic grin and went in search of Upton.
Barbara hadn’t undersold his apparent tiredness. Dark circles dogged the skin beneath his eyes, and a shadow over his jawline meant he hadn’t yet shaved. His hair stuck out at all angles as if he’d been raking it with his fingers, and an untouched cup of coffee sat on the table in front of him.
“Morning,” I said brightly, flopping into a chair at a right angle to his. “Boy, it’s so hot already.”
He kept staring ahead. “Then I suggest you stay inside where it’s cool.”
The absence of a follow-up request for me to leave fired a spark of hope within me.
“What would you like to do today?”
He turned his head, his gaze steady and cold. “What’s this, Izabelle? Psychology one oh one?”
Despite several attempts to encourage him to call me Belle, he’d ignored every single one. I’d given up correcting him.
“I was thinking last night.” I refrained from telling him I’d talked to my brother. Partly because I worried he’d take it all wrong and assume I was blabbing about him to anyone who bothered to listen, and partly b
ecause I wanted to keep my personal life private. “I realize I’ve suggested lots of things you might want to do, but I haven’t asked you what you want. And I’m sorry. I should have.”
He cast me a withering glare, then shifted his gaze back across the expanse of pristine lawn surrounded by tall trees. A pulse ticked in his jaw.
I’d like to put my lips there.
The involuntary—and unwelcome—thought came at me from left field, and a hot flush crept up my neck. Thankfully, he paid me no attention, giving the blush time to subside. Not once in the last five weeks had any inappropriate musings toward this man entered my mind, so why now?
Liar. You think about him all the time.
I rapidly blinked, ready to start an argument with myself—I did that from time to time—when Upton’s striking amber eyes landed on mine once more, as cold as a few minutes earlier. Maybe colder.
“What I want, Miss Laker, is for you to fuck off. Clear enough for you?”
He stood, picked up the untouched cup of coffee, poured it into a large planter with a shrub full of crimson flowers that brightened the patio area, and stomped inside.
I heaved a great big sigh.
That went swimmingly.
Then again, I hadn’t expected him to do a complete one-eighty, bump fists, and tell me he wanted to be besties.
In a way, I was relieved he’d gone. It gave me a few precious minutes to organize my thoughts and slow my pulse. Upton Barrick was a beautiful man. There, I’d admitted it. The jagged scar that ran the length of his face didn’t detract from his exquisite good looks. And those golden eyes… unique, absorbing, filled with pain.
Get a grip, Belle.
The flash of attraction that had emerged from God only knew where had to be squished like a bug hitting a car windshield at the height of summer. I could not, would not, develop feelings for this man. My interest began and ended with doing my best to help him find a sliver of happiness, making it through an entire year, and collecting the promised bonus. Right now, though, with forty-seven long weeks stretching ahead, I’d better not bank on the cash injection just yet.
I returned to the kitchen. Barbara grimaced at me, which I took to mean Upton had blown through here after he’d left me outside. I hitched up my right shoulder in an attempt at nonchalance and fished my phone out of my bag. Scrolling to the album marked ‘Summer in Baja’, I pulled up one of my favorite photos of Marin and me. It was our first vacation together after graduating from high school. He’d washed cars, and I’d worked weekends in our local grocery store all through senior year to save enough money for a long weekend in Baja, California. This was taken on our second day. We’d surfed the early morning waves, and he snagged a photo of us afterward with salty hair and happy faces.
Four years later, he’d gone. Left me forever. My childhood sweetheart, and the only man I’d ever love, and I’d never see him again.
I wrapped my arms around myself and held my breath, waiting for the pain to abate. This, right here, was the reason I’d never allow myself to fall in love again. The pain of loss was too acute.
“Izabelle, are you okay?”
I jerked my head up and met Barbara’s worried gaze. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, eager to reassure her. “Okay, what can I do to help you today?”
She motioned with her hand. “There’s barely enough work for one, let alone two. You just go and relax, and I’ll call you if I need anything.”
I poked my tongue into my cheek. “Maybe I should try again with Upton.”
“I’d leave him right now. Let him come around in his own time.”
“It’s been five weeks, Barbara. I don’t think he’s going to come around on his own, and I promised Sebastian I’d try.”
“Sebastian understands,” she said, shaking her head sadly. “More than most. He doesn’t expect you to perform miracles. Just…” She broke off, and I could have sworn her eyes filled with tears. She blinked rapidly. “Don’t give up on him.”
I walked over to her and gave her a hug. “I won’t.”
“Good. Now go. Sunbathe, read, swim. Make yourself at home.”
It felt so wrong to take advantage of the facilities at Upton’s home, but my options were pretty limited. My contract stated I was to remain at the house between the hours of nine a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Friday. If Upton wouldn’t engage, then what else could I do other than sit around, wait for him to appear from wherever he’d taken himself off to, and try again.
I changed in the pool house and, after testing the warmth of the water with my toe, dove into the deep end. My body instantly cooled. I swam twenty-five lengths, surprised I’d managed that much. I loved to swim but rarely got the opportunity.
Laying a towel on one of the sun loungers that framed the pool, I let the sun dry my skin, but the heat was too oppressive to stay there very long.
I returned to the pool house, changed back into my clothes, and went in search of Barbara to see if I could help with lunch preparation. She set me to work grating cheese for the omelets she planned to make when the doorbell rang. My head snapped up. Upton hadn’t received one visitor since I’d started working here, and he’d only left the house once to my knowledge, although I had no idea where he’d gone.
“That’ll be Antonio.” Barbara rinsed her hands under the tap. “You wouldn’t be a dear and go get him for me, would you?”
“Who’s Antonio?” I asked.
“He’s the interim CEO of the ROGUES’ West Coast operations. He’s taking care of things while Upton is… on sabbatical. He comes by every few weeks with an update. Be a love, will you, and show him to Upton’s study, and then go find Upton and let him know Antonio’s arrived.”
“Oh, sure.”
I paced through the house to the front door. When I opened it, a man in his fifties with gray hair and twinkling blue eyes greeted me, his white-toothed smile broad and wide.
“Hey. You must be Izabelle. I’m Antonio.” He thrust out his hand. “Sebastian told me he’d hired you. How are things?”
There were certain people in this world that set your teeth on edge and gave you the heebie-jeebies, and then there were people like Antonio who instantly put you at ease and caused you to crave their company. I returned his warm, friendly smile with one of my own.
“Call me Belle,” I said. “Come on in. It’s so hot out there. You must be boiling in that suit.”
He waved dismissively. “I’m used to it. So, tell me, how is our resident grump doing?”
I smiled. “Still grumpy.”
Antonio chuckled. “It’s good that you have a sense of humor. You’ll need it.”
I wrinkled my nose. “You’re not the first to point that out.”
He walked alongside me, clearly knowing where he was going. We arrived outside Upton’s office, and I gestured for him to go inside. “I’ll see if I can find him. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“All good here. Take your time.”
I started my search in the living room where Upton occasionally hung out to listen to music, but he wasn’t there. Nor was he in the library, and when I checked to see if he’d somehow snuck past me and gone to the kitchen, Barbara said she hadn’t seen him either. I peeked through the rear windows in case he’d returned to the pool despite the soaring temperatures, but still no luck.
Damn the man. He must have known to expect Antonio and yet, rude oaf that he was, he’d made himself scarce.
After I’d checked every room on the first floor, I traipsed upstairs to the second floor and padded along the thickly carpeted hallway to Upton’s bedroom. This was the only other place he could be. I rapped twice on the door and waited. When he didn’t answer, I knocked again, and then, risking his wrath, I pushed open the door. A quick scan around showed me he wasn’t in the bedroom, but the sound of running water drew my eyes to his adjoining bathroom.
My breath caught in my throat. The door to the bathroom was wide open, giving me a direct view of the shower stall. The risi
ng steam didn’t stop a clear view of Upton, facing away from me.
Oh my God.
His whole back was covered in scars, some faded to silver, others still red and bumpy. My chest tightened, and I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. The pain he must have been in and, given how some of those wounds still looked raw, continued to suffer…
Anger crawled into my throat. I thought I’d doused the flames of fury, or at least tamped them down enough to cope from day to day, but seeing Upton and what he had to face every day brought it all back. The heinous act of the terrorist who’d exploded a bomb at a crowded concert with no thought for the loss of innocent life was something that still haunted me to this day. If that bastard wasn’t already dead, I’d fucking kill him myself using only my bare hands.
Breathe, Belle. Slowly. In. Out. In. Out.
My legs trembled, and I put out a hand to steady myself. After a minute of deep breathing, the way I’d been taught, my heart rate slowed and the fit of rage abated.
It occurred to me that despite the heat of this year’s summer and access to a private swimming pool, I’d never seen Upton without his shirt on, and now I had, I understood why he wanted to hide his pain beneath his clothing.
My heart cracked a little. Surprising since I’d always believed what happened to Marin had broken it fully and completely.
Standing here in Upton’s personal space when he’d made it clear his bedroom was off limits felt all wrong, an imposition. A crime against his privacy.
I slowly backed away.
And then he turned around, and our eyes locked.
Fuck.
7
Upton
Thirty minutes earlier
I left Izabelle fucking Laker sitting out on my patio and marched past Barbara, muttering under my breath. Five weeks. Five fucking weeks where I’d hardly even acknowledged her existence, and even when I had deigned to speak to her, I’d kept it brief, cold, and cutting.
Enchanted: A Billionaire Romance (The ROGUES Series Book 4) Page 4