“Seriously?” She whips her head around and grins when she sees Nick and Liam biting into sandwiches. “I packed the food for them and told them they’d better eat it because we’re hiking and burning too many calories to be stoic and strong.”
“So you threatened the staff. Lovely.”
She laughs. “No, I told them to eat. It’s silly that they don’t eat when they’re with us.”
“No, it’s not.” I set my crisps aside and catch her chin in my fingers. “They’re protecting us. It’s not silly because they’re doing their job.”
“What are they protecting us from?”
“Assassination attempts, over-eager fans, kidnapping.” She’s stopped chewing and is staring at me with stunned, wide eyes.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. I get death threats every day, Nina. And someone almost snatched Ellie once when she was very little. Sometimes, it’s more innocent than that. Fans want to hug, touch. And if they’re particularly brave, they try to grope or kiss.”
“Ew.”
“Exactly. We have security nearby to control those around us so we can live our lives.”
“Well, that’s great. But I don’t want to be one of those people who ignore them. Pretends like they aren’t there. They’re human beings, and if they’re going to be near me all of the time, I want to be friendly with them.”
“You can be friendly, but there is a line. They’re not our mates. They’re employees.”
“I understand that.” She chews thoughtfully. “Speaking of that, we’ll probably need to hire a housekeeper. I’ve always cleaned my own place, but the new house is way too big for me to keep up with.”
“I certainly don’t expect you to clean the house.” I pop a crisp into my mouth. “Certainly Jenna or Willa must know someone.”
“I’ll ask them. I spoke to Jenna last night about managing my old house, and she said she’d be glad to. So, I’ll have someone go in and give it a good scrubbing, make sure everything is as it should be, and she’ll take it over from there.”
“I’ll go with you to walk through it,” I offer. “And I know Liam had one of his men drive the boat down the lake to park it in the boathouse of the new place.”
“That boathouse is ridiculous,” she says, shaking her head. “I just need one little slip.”
“Well, if family visits in the summer, we’ll have several boats on hand for them to use. Callum is especially fond of the water.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he’s in the Royal Navy and is more comfortable on the water than most of us are on land. So, we’ll get use out of the boathouse.”
“Not to mention, it has its own apartment,” she says. “I went down there this morning to look around, and I was surprised to find it. There’s more space in that house than we will ever use.”
“It’s an investment,” I remind her. I want to also remind her that we may someday fill it with children, but we’re not there yet.
Nina’s loosened up a lot with me over the past few weeks. She doesn’t tense up when I touch her or use terms of endearment. She’s quicker to laugh, and she doesn’t watch every move I make with wary eyes.
I’ve gained her trust.
One day, I hope to earn her love.
But I know that mentioning babies right now isn’t the way to do that.
When our lunch is consumed, we stow the garbage in the pack, and I help her off the rock to wade our way back to shore where Liam and Nick are waiting.
“Shall we head back down?” I ask.
“We probably should,” Nina says. “But thanks for this. It was a great day.”
***
Nina’s been gone for an hour. I’m alone in the house, thanks to the technology Liam spoke about the other day, and security patrolling the perimeter of the building.
I should be catching up on the dozens of emails that have come in since I left London. Or reading. Anything, really.
But instead, I’m sitting here like a sap, missing my wife.
She’s been gone for an hour.
Nina went to a local florist shop with her friends for a girls’ night out. Nick’s with them, and I’m sure they’re having a smashing time. I was sure I’d take advantage of the time alone to catch up on work.
The most I’ve managed to do is open my laptop.
I suppose I should have rung Jacob to see if he’d like to have a beer. I still could, in fact.
But just as I pull my mobile from my pocket, it rings, Christian’s name on the caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Hi. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. I’m not sure what to do here.”
“What’s wrong?”
He’s quiet for a moment. “I feel like a dick for not telling Nina first, but I know she’s with Jenna and the others having fun, and I didn’t want to fuck that up.”
“Christian, what’s going on?”
“Our mom died today.”
I blink, staring out the windows into the dark night. “Oh, Christian, I’m sorry.”
“I wasn’t close to her,” he says. “And neither was Nina really, but she’s going to be sad. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Come over,” I reply. “I’ll call Nick and have him bring the girls. Then you can tell her.”
“That’s a good plan. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, of course. I’ll see you soon.”
“Oh, and I should mention,” he adds, “my sister can be mean when she’s sad. I just want to warn you.”
“Duly noted. Drive carefully.”
I hang up and let out a long breath. It seems tonight just went into the shitter.
I dial Nick’s number.
“Yes, sir.”
“I need her home. Both her and Jenna. Right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nick ends the call, and I close the computer and walk into the kitchen to get a pot of tea brewing. It’s the best I can do for right now. Until she’s here and knows what’s happening and can tell me what she needs.
I’m in new territory.
Chapter Sixteen
Nina
“CITRUS POPPYSEED CAKE with huckleberry filling, anyone?” Maisey Henderson asks as she swoops into the room, carrying a tray of delicious goodness. Maisey owns Cake Nation, the best bakery in town, and her sister, Brooke, is the owner of Brooke’s Blooms.
Their shops are located on Main Street, right next to each other, which is perfect for the parties they host.
Tonight, we’re here learning how to make pretty fall flower bouquets while we sample Maisey’s amazing cakes.
“Yes, please,” Jenna says, immediately raising her hand. “I need all the cake.”
“Same,” Willa says. “The more cake, the better. Also, I need to order a birthday cake for Max. I know it’s still a few months out, but you book up fast these days.”
“We can do that,” Maisey assures her.
“Actually, I think I need a cake for Sebastian,” I add in surprise. “You guys, his birthday is coming up. This is our first occasion together, aside from our wedding, of course. What do I do?”
“Well, you order a cake, invite some people over, and have a little party,” Fallon says with a smile. “Your new house is perfect for it.”
“Is it weird that I’m living in your husband’s old house?” I ask Willa.
“Not at all. We have a fabulous new house,” she says with a smile. “And Fallon’s right, that house is awesome for parties. We’ll help you plan something.”
“I need to invite his family.” I reach for my phone and shoot a text off to Ellie, asking her how I should handle this.
Me: Hey, sister-in-law. Sebastian’s bday is coming up in a couple weeks. Would you guys like to come to Montana for a party?
I set my phone aside, take a bite of the strawberry cake still on my plate from a bit ago, and concentrate on how to fit the greenery and flowers together without it looking like a whole bunch of weeds.
“It just takes some getting used to,” Brooke says. She’s a beautiful and kind woman.
“Would you like some cake, Nick?” Maisey asks my bodyguard. I glance over in time to see him shake his head no.
“Come on, Nick. Eat the cake. I won’t tell.”
His eyes narrow on mine. “No thank you, ma’am.”
“He’s hot,” Fallon whispers so only I can hear. “I mean, my husband is the hottest man on the planet, but if I were in the market…”
“I know,” I whisper back. “And he’s really nice. Do we know any single girls?”
“Not really, but I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Why are you whispering?” Jenna demands. “Share with the rest of the class.”
“Not a chance,” I say with a laugh as my phone pings with a return text from Ellie.
Ellie: YES!!! Of course I want to come! Mum and Father probably can’t, but I’ll see if the others are available. Will update soon! Miss you. Xo
Me: Why are you awake? Go to sleep!
Ellie: Then stop texting me!
I laugh and set my phone aside. “Looks like Ellie’s definitely coming for Sebastian’s party.”
“That’s awesome,” Jenna says. “I really like her. I liked all of them.”
“Me, too.” I shove some green leaves into the vase and frown. It just doesn’t look right. “What does one get a prince for his birthday?”
We all look over at Nick, but he just shakes his head and actually cracks a smile. “Don’t ask me.”
“Your accent doesn’t sound British,” Jenna says thoughtfully.
“No, ma’am.”
“Where are you from, Nick?” Brooke asks. Before he can answer, his phone rings.
“Yes, sir.”
His eyes shoot to mine.
“Yes, sir,” he says again, ends the call, and puts the phone into his breast pocket. “Your Royal Highness, I have instructions to take you and Miss Jenna back to your house right away.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t have any other information, ma’am.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to people calling you Your Royal Highness,” Fallon says with a grin. “Go ahead and go. Keep us posted.”
“I hope everything’s okay,” Willa adds. “Text us both, okay?”
“Will do.”
Jenna and I grab our things, say our goodbyes, and then we’re in the car on the way home.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Jenna murmurs. “Christian isn’t responding to my text.”
“We’ll be home in a minute,” I murmur.
I have a bad feeling.
A second security guard, not Liam, meets us at the car, and they escort us inside.
“His Royal Highness and Christian are in the living room, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Jenna and I hurry into the room and find our husbands sitting opposite of each other on the couches, each with a somber look on his face. “What’s going on?”
“Come here, darling.”
I cross to Sebastian and sit next to him. Jenna does the same with my brother, but Christian’s eyes are on me.
“Chris, what’s going on?”
“I got a call this evening from L.A.,” he says and swallows hard. “Mom was found earlier today, Nina. She passed away.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, my eyes wide and pinned to my brother.
“How?”
“I don’t know yet. That’s really all I know.”
Sebastian wraps his arm around my shoulders, but I don’t lean into him. I feel frozen. I feel sick to my stomach.
“It’s my fault.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Sebastian says quietly.
“No, it is. It’s my fault. She told me she wasn’t feeling well, and I blew it off because she was always complaining. I should have listened.”
“Nina, we don’t know what caused her death,” Jenna says strongly. “Honey, don’t do that to yourself. We don’t know anything.”
She sits on the other side of me and hugs me tightly.
I can’t look away from Christian.
His lips are pressed into a thin line. His eyes look tortured.
“I’m sorry that I interrupted your fun evening, but I wanted you to know right away.”
“This was the right thing to do,” I assure him. “Thank you. I assume we’re headed to L.A. soon?”
“Tomorrow morning,” he confirms. “I have the plane ready to go.”
“I’ve briefed my men, and they’re ready to go when we are,” Sebastian says with a nod. He takes my hand, and I squeeze his, hard. It’s like he’s the only thing grounding me right now.
“Let’s plan to meet at the plane at around eight,” Christian suggests. “It’s a relatively quick flight. That will give us most of the day to make arrangements.”
“That works for us,” Sebastian says with a nod.
I stand when the others do, out of habit more than anything, and when Christian wraps his arms around me and hugs me close, I begin to cry. It’s as if a dam has broken and I can’t hold it in anymore.
“I don’t know how to feel,” I admit.
“I know,” he whispers and kisses my forehead. “It’s going to be okay, sis. Honest.”
I’m sobbing in earnest, harder than I have since I was a small child. I feel him kiss me again, and then he moves me into Sebastian’s arms, where I’m cradled and petted. Sebastian murmurs words of encouragement and affection, and it only makes me cry harder.
I don’t deserve his kindness.
“Do you need me to stay?” Christian asks softly. I shake my head no. I’d honestly rather that he not see me like this. “Okay, then. I’ll see you in the morning. But if you need me, just call, sweetheart. I can be here in minutes, okay?”
I nod in agreement, feel both him and Jenna kiss my cheek, and then Sebastian and I are alone.
He carries me into the bedroom and lays me on the bed, then crawls up next to me and pulls me into his arms once again.
“I don’t know why I’m crying,” I say between hiccups. “It’s silly.”
“Your mum died, darling,” he reminds me. “Of course, you’re crying.”
“But I don’t think I’m crying because I’m sad.” It’s a whisper. “I’m so ashamed, Sebastian. I don’t know what I’m feeling.”
“Talk it out.” He passes me a tissue. “I’m not going anywhere. Lean on me, love.”
Love. God, I’m falling in love with him, and I can’t. I’m not supposed to feel this deeply for him.
I’m just a whole mess of feelings.
“Of course, it’s horrible that she died,” I begin. “And I am sad that she’s gone. But at the same time, I feel relieved, and so guilty that I feel that way.”
“Why do you think you feel relieved?”
I don’t want to answer him. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” He tilts up my chin so he can look me in the eyes. “You’re safe here, Nina.”
“Because now I don’t have to worry about her anymore,” I blurt in horror. “She was so hard. And unkind. And I hated what she did to Christian. But I felt obligated to have some sort of relationship with her, and now I don’t have to do that anymore.”
I bury my face in his chest and cry some more. For the girl who never had a mother she could depend on and look up to. For Christian, who was so hurt by the woman who gave birth to him.
And for myself, the woman who won’t have a relationship with her mother. Mom won’t be here if I have children. She didn’t even come to my wedding. And the worst part? I didn’t want her there because she had a habit of embarrassing me and she wasn’t a nice person.
Sebastian doesn’t try to tell me that I shouldn’t feel this way. He doesn’t try to cheer me up. He simply lays with me, rubbing circles on my
back and kissing my hair.
I feel loved. Supported. Cared for.
And it scares me. Because it’s not forever. Someday soon, it’ll be gone.
Don’t learn to depend on this, Nina.
***
We’ve been in the air for forty minutes. Christian, Jenna, Sebastian, and I are in plush seats, sitting across from each other. Liam and Nick are in the back of the plane, murmuring to each other.
Most likely figuring out security for once we land.
“I just thought of something,” I announce. “Where are we going to bury her?”
Jenna frowns and looks at her husband.
“She doesn’t have any other family. We’re never in California unless you’re there for work,” I continue. “It doesn’t make sense to take her to Montana. She never set foot in the state.”
“We’ll have her cremated,” Christian says softly.
“I know this makes me a raging bitch, but I do not want her on my mantel.” I shake my head adamantly. “No way. I mean, do you? That’s just creepy.”
“No mantel sitting,” Christian agrees with a small smile. “I was thinking we’d spread her ashes in the ocean, in front of her house. That was her favorite place anyway.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s fine.”
I take a deep breath and lean my head on Sebastian’s shoulder.
“Did she have a will?” Sebastian asks.
“Not that we know of,” Christian answers. “I own her house. I bought it for her about ten years ago after she went bankrupt and was going to have to live on the streets.”
Jenna links her fingers with Christian’s in support.
“I’m sorry.” I feel my eyes filling with tears again. It’s a miracle I can even see today, they’re so puffy and red from crying on and off most of the night. “I’m so sorry for everything she put you through. And despite stealing from you and wasting millions, you still made sure she was taken care of.”
“It’s easy to do when you can throw money at a problem,” he says with a shrug. “You’re the one who had to listen to her. To check in on her. What you did was way more difficult.”
“I think you were both making the best out of a challenging situation,” Jenna says.
“I agree,” Sebastian adds. “You were both loyal to her, in your own ways, despite her being hard to deal with.”
Enchanting Sebastian (Big Sky Royal Book 1) Page 14