Xavier was about to have a great deal on his plate with more than fifteen resorts from Arizona to southern California. In addition to handling duties at Silver Sparrow Systems, he’d be overseeing a company with hundreds of employees and whatever issues Marcus left him to deal with.
Outside of the jet, a black Bentley waited for me and I smiled to see Chris behind the wheel.
“Welcome to Phoenix, Miss Ashton,” Chris said with a smile.
“Thanks! Good to see you. Are we going to his place?”
“No, we won’t be going to Mr. Quinn’s home in the city until after dinner. I was told to take you to the Quinn family compound in Mayer.”
I got into the backseat, again thrown off and unsure what was about to happen. Not once did he tell me about meeting the rest of his family.
This is a good sign, Sophie, I told myself. He’s serious about us.
Meeting a few members of Sato’s family had been hard, but I’d survived the affairs with a smile.
The drive was wonderful. I’d never been to Arizona, or the Southwest at all. I’d been to southern California countless times for business, but the landscape here was breathtaking. Outside the airport we drove northward along the Black Canyon Freeway, past the suburbs and skyscrapers toward the countryside. Endless earth tones filled the landscape and I fell into the view. I couldn’t wait to see the sunsets and sunrises out here.
Finally, we reached our destination. When Chris had said family compound he wasn’t kidding. After an hour’s trip, we’d reached a long driveway that led to a gated fence with a security guard. The guard let us through, and, soon enough, we approached a vast two-level mansion with beautiful windows and gray stonework along the front. The cobblestone driveway even had a double fountain.
“You can tell how rich your customers are by the number of fountains they have in front of their house. It shows how much water they can afford to waste on a daily basis,” Carlie used to say.
We were in the desert and they had two of them. I stifled a giggle.
“Everything fine, Miss Ashton?” Chris asked as he pulled to a stop.
“Oh, everything’s good. Just taking it all in.”
He nodded with a small smile. He was probably used to seeing this house and every other place Xavier had been.
Just another day with the filthy rich.
An older man, who looked to be not more than fifty with blondish white hair, opened the door for me. Soon I was out of the dry heat and into the massive foyer, which technically still could be considered outside.
The foyer had another fountain.
“I’m Yates,” the man who led me in said. “Miss Ashton, it’s a pleasure to have you here. The Quinn family always meets at five for dinner. I asked the kitchen to prepare some tea and refreshments.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.” No one else was around to welcome me. I did hear sounds of laughter and others’ voices. I pushed the thought away and followed Yates.
I was led through the house, going down countless hallways until we reached a suite the size of my apartment. This place was amazing.
“Please rest here for the afternoon before dinner. I hope your accommodations are acceptable?” Yates asked.
Were there people who said they weren’t?
“Of course, this is lovely.”
“If there is anything you need please use the phone and hit the star button to reach the staff.”
It was as if this place was a hotel.
“Do you have any questions?” he asked before he left.
“Actually I do, if you don’t mind?”
He nodded with a hint of surprise, probably not having expected me to have any.
I was on a different battleground now, but one thing I’d learned from my industry was that the staff lived on the front lines and if I wanted things to start off right, I needed to be prepared. Xavier threw me off my game when he didn’t tell me about dinner with the Quinns. “Does Xavier’s mother like gifts?”
Yates’s eyebrow rose. “Mrs. Quinn likes gifts, but she can be particular.”
Not too much information. He was loyal and that was good. Time to dig deeper.
“Someone as nice as Mrs. Quinn probably donates gifts like paintings and toys to the hospitals.” I took in the room while I spoke. It was good to keep things casual.
“Mrs. Quinn has always been a fervent supporter of the local animal shelters. She loves to provide stuffed animals to shelters and flowers to the sick at the local hospital.”
So he narrowed it down for me. Very nice.
I nodded. “She sounds like a gem. Thanks for your help.”
His smile widened. My first potential ally. “Where would you like your tea and sandwiches? On the balcony or in the sitting area?”
—
My new ally didn’t prepare me for what was to come at dinnertime. Xavier had yet to arrive and I was on my own.
I got a text message as I followed a maid down the stairs to the dining room:
almost there. can’t wait to see you.
My heart fluttered a bit. We’d been apart less than a day, yet I couldn’t wait to be with him again. Was this what normal relationships felt like?
The noise level rose as I reached the dining room and then a hand closed over my wrist and gently pulled me around a corner.
“Hey,” I called out, only to have my lips covered by Xavier’s. His large hand caressed the back of my head and I couldn’t help but collapse against him.
“Mmmm,” he said against my mouth. “You taste good.”
I turned to see the maid I was following had disappeared.
“Aren’t we expected for dinner?” I could still hear his family down the hall. They were quite loud.
He ran his hands down my back and kissed my neck. “They’re not going anywhere until all the food is gone. My aunt’s a really good cook.”
“Oh, is she?”
Footsteps approached us. Xavier took my hand and quickly added space between us.
Marcus peeked around the corner. “There you are.” He saw his brother and cocked a grin. “Don’t keep Mom waiting. You two can do that later.”
Heat filled my face.
Xavier groaned. “All I did was kiss her. You didn’t miss anything.”
He pulled me behind him, our hands still intertwined. As we entered the huge dining room, the confident Sophie slinked away under the curious gazes of more than fifteen people.
Quinn compound, I reminded myself.
There were too many people to track, so I pasted a smile on my face and tried to look friendly.
Put your hand up and wave, I reminded myself. Like a robot I put my hand in the air. When I noticed how slowly I was waving, I went too fast.
Two women, who had to be Xavier’s aunts, exchanged glances.
You know how to impress ’em like a pro, Sophie.
A bunch of kids ran to us and Xavier released my hand to pick up a twin girl on each arm.
“Daddy said you were staying with us for a while since Mommy is sick,” one said, her pigtails bouncing up and down.
“Yeah, I’m helping your daddy out.” He adjusted them on each arm. “I don’t know if Heather’s getting heavier, or is it Hayley?”
They giggled and I saw their mother behind Xavier.
My heart clenched to see Becca sitting at the table. Her hair was different than when I’d seen her at the restaurant. And then it hit me: she’d been wearing a wig.
She glanced up at me and offered a smile. I smiled back.
“Who’s this?” Hayley asked.
“This is Sophie,” Xavier said.
“Your girlfriend?” Heather said with a wink.
He whispered with a devilish grin into their ears and they laughed.
“Hey,” I said. “What secret are you three keeping?”
I didn’t get a reply as more kids overwhelmed their poor uncle. Seeing Xavier like this, with his nieces and nephews, made my heart melt.
By t
he time everyone sat down, another thing was quite apparent. No one had acknowledged me other than the kids, Becca, and Marcus. Although it was hard to see around the table, at least twenty to thirty people had found a place to sit. My spot was next to Xavier, near the head of the table.
The family matriarch sat at the head. Xavier definitely took after her. They had the same beautiful blond hair and light blue eyes.
“How was your flight?” his mother asked him as the house staff placed a bowl of vegetable soup in front of everyone.
“Nothing special.” Xavier even shrugged but didn’t look at her. Would all their conversations progress like this?
“Have you had a chance to meet with the executive team yet?” she asked. No Hey, how are you doing? Just straight to resort business.
“I’ve had a conference call with Steven, but I’m not too concerned,” Xavier replied. “We need to use our resources. Steven would’ve been a great person to handle things.”
Mrs. Quinn’s severe bob gave her a sharp edge. “You know how we are. We don’t let anyone outside the family handle things.”
“I know how you are, Mom,” Xavier murmured after he took a bite of vegetables from his soup.
She glanced at him briefly, the critical look in her eyes dimming for a moment. “You could come here more often, you know.”
“I see Marcus and his family pretty often.”
Ouch. That hurt even me. If I had a mother, I’d do anything to spend quality time with her.
The tension rising at this end of the table didn’t affect anyone else. They kept on eating and chatting. To settle things down, I spoke. “You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Quinn.”
“Thank you.” She sipped her wine and then gave me a tight-lipped smile.
Keep smiling, Sophie. “I saw you have a Mansour in the great room. I love his work.”
The Quinn matriarch put down her wine. “I think I need to make something clear, Miss…?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Xavier beat me.
“Mom—” Xavier began. “You promised me.”
My smile wanted to die, but I didn’t let it, knowing a train wreck was about to happen. And all before I had a chance to offer her the gift I wanted to give her after prying the valuable information from Yates. Slowly, I slid the box into the pocket of my dress. Not a good time for flattery, Ashton.
“My son never brings his women here,” she said crisply. “The last time he did, a few years ago, he thought it was funny to bring one of his playthings.”
Xavier’s hand tightened around his napkin.
She continued and I had to bite my inner cheek to stay silent. I knew very well what she meant by playthings. His kinky playthings. “That’s why I’ve been trying to find him a nice girl for once.”
“I’m not in the mood for this,” Marcus grumbled.
“As the leader of this family, I need to know where you stand,” she said point-blank.
Xavier turned to me, clearly annoyed. “You don’t have to answer, Sophie. Matter of fact, we’re leaving.”
“No, it’s fine.” Then I said to Mrs. Quinn, “I’m many things, but I’m not a plaything.” I took a moment to lick my dry lips. “I am an open book. Ask anything you like. I was raised in the foster system after my mother abandoned me in a hospital in the Bronx. I lived on the streets after I was eighteen. Right now, I’m an elite personal concierge in Boston and I’m more capable than most people you’ll meet. Like you, Mrs. Quinn, I don’t need someone—namely a man—to do what I want to do.”
Not far from me, I caught Becca grinning from ear to ear.
Mrs. Quinn stared at me for a bit, perhaps considering my response. I’d told her the truth. If she couldn’t accept that, it was her loss and not mine. Finally, when she picked up her soup spoon to begin eating again, I let out a long sigh of relief.
Dinner after that was quiet and strained. The earlier chat died away. One of Xavier’s uncles tried to crack a few jokes, but they were met with a frosty reception. It was as if Mrs. Quinn’s mood bled to everyone else.
The kids at least laughed and joked among themselves.
Dinner ended, but I hadn’t eaten much of my enchiladas. They were quite good, but I’d lost my appetite.
As everyone began to leave the table to retire for the night, Becca approached me. “I’m sorry about the last time we met.”
“I appreciate your apology.” I grinned at her and the smile she returned was genuine.
“Feeling miserable is no excuse to take out my anger on another party.” She looked at her husband. “I’m going through a tough time right now with Marcus and Mom isn’t helping things.”
“Having a family is never easy. But I wish I had relatives.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to bring up family like that—”
I offered her a wide grin. “It’s cool. The people I grew up with are my family and they’re great.” I smiled thinking of Griff, Carlie, and Penny. Naturally, I wondered if we’d still keep in contact if I moved to London. I pushed those thoughts away. I was with Xavier right now and I should enjoy the moment.
Becca glanced at her mother-in-law. “I’ve wanted to put her in her place for the last fifteen years. How did you manage to do it on the first night?”
I hadn’t put her in her place by a long shot in my opinion. “You’d be surprised what you’re capable of doing after you’ve been asked to serve the moon on a plate the size of a silver thimble.”
We began to walk for a bit and she showed me around the family pictures. Marcus and his brother were adorable as little kids. I even found out Xavier liked to run around naked when he was a toddler. Hope filled my chest, leaving me smiling like a fool. All these pictures gave me something I wanted to hold onto dearly: maybe I’d have a family like this someday. Don’t get me wrong, I did have Carlie, Penny, and Griff, but I didn’t want to be single forever. Someday I wanted a kid or two. Maybe find a nice place to settle down near a beach. I’d done so much traveling in my life, and I couldn’t keep this lifestyle forever.
I turned to see Mrs. Quinn standing on the other side of the room chatting with one of Xavier’s aunts. When she saw me looking, the smile on her face faded and a cold visage marred her beautiful features. With that one look, the airy feeling in my heart was sucked away.
Welcome to Phoenix, Sophie.
Chapter 23
Xavier
The trip into downtown Phoenix was a somber one. At this time of the night, the skyscrapers cast a glow on the evening sky. The beautiful sight outside was difficult to enjoy with the tension blanketing my body.
During the whole time, I faced the window, my body turned away from Sophie.
She probably wondered if she’d done something wrong. Maybe she assumed my mother was the cause—which wasn’t too off base most of the time. Every now and then, Sophie furtively glanced in my direction, but most of the time, she took in the view out the window. If I was polite I should’ve asked her what she thought of Phoenix. I should’ve welcomed her here.
Instead I kept bunching my fists and fought the need to wipe the sweat gathering on my palms. My stomach quivered. Thoughts circled my mind up to the point when Chris entered my building’s private parking garage. What the hell am I doing bringing another woman into the space I made for Rosalie?
Rosalie’s gone, I immediately reminded myself as we came to a stop.
But her absence didn’t change what was about to happen.
Sophie got out of the car first, turning to me with a grin. “Is this whole building yours?”
“Yes.”
“Looks nice.”
“Thank you.” I was up to two words now. I was making progress.
I led her from the parking garage to a private elevator. The gilded steel doors beckoned us, opening up with my key card.
“This is amazing!” Her gaze swept over the expansive elevator cab with its stainless steel bars and clear glass on the floor.
The clear glass is a dare, Ros
alie had said when we rode in the elevator for the first time six years ago. “When boundaries like this are removed, you’re forced to face your mortality.”
On that particular day, as we rose to the second floor, she had stopped the elevator. With a coy smile, Rosalie descended to her knees and opened my pants to free my cock. I took in her beautiful face as she pleasured me to completion.
Today, I didn’t dare look down.
“What kind of floor is this?” Sophie gasped.
“Plexiglas.”
She pressed herself against me and focused on my face, a giggle escaping her mouth. “Wow. How do you go up and down this thing without looking down?”
“Gotten used to it, I guess.”
Not every part of this building had Rosalie’s personal touch. The first five floors included office space for the smaller companies Silver Sparrow Systems had acquired over the years, as well as boutiques on the ground floor. But coming back here stirred memories I’d pushed away for a long time.
We reached the penthouse, and once the doors opened, I led her inside.
Everything was as I’d left my home more than a month ago. Not a single thing out of place in the open-concept penthouse. But each spot held memories, from the study to the kitchen. We’d eaten breakfast and argued politics in the mornings next to the windows overlooking the mountains. Her favorite spot in the room was the alcove next to my book collection.
Once she was diagnosed with giant cell myocarditis, everything changed. She grew too tired to do anything. The couch where we used to sit side by side with our laptops became the place where she slept. The bed where we played out scene after scene became the place I held her, hoping her heart would continue to beat until a donor heart became available.
Countless specialists, the best that money could buy, kept warning me that due to her enlarged heart she could die at any moment, but when she suddenly passed away I wasn’t ready.
I was one of the richest men in the world, yet I couldn’t even save a woman who didn’t love me as deeply as I loved her.
This home had too many painful memories, but taking Sophie to a hotel was out of the question, and a man like me never backs down from a challenge. It was time for me to face this issue head on.
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