“No. Sebastian fired her. From what I've heard, he told her to get out of his life and if he ever saw her again he'd make her life hell.”
That was something Mariss didn't know. “Why would he do that?”
“For you.”
As Elise worked on Mariss' hair, the burnt hair smell became stronger and stronger until they had to open the door.
Sebastian poked his head in a few moments later, his brow furrowed deep.
“Careful,” Mariss chided. “Keep frowning like that and you'll get wrinkles.”
“Botox,” he joked and winked. “I was just checking to make sure you still had some hair left on your head. That smell is so strong.”
Mariss smiled. “I hope so. If not, I'm suing you for suggesting her. Elise and I are becoming good friends.”
Sebastian's gaze darkened. “If you steal her from me like you stole Juliet you will live to regret it.”
“Your threats mean nothing to me, Sebastian Boa,” Mariss laughed. “You lost Juliet because you're an asshole. I didn't steal anything from you.”
“That's not how I remember it.” He leaned against the doorjamb, his eyes intent on what Elise was doing to her hair. “If I recall correctly, and I always recall correctly, you offered her the position while she still worked for me. That, my dear, qualifies as stealing.”
“If you hadn't been such a jerk to begin with, I never would have had to make the offer. Now, go away. We're almost done.”
“Brit called to see how you're doing and I told her I would have you to the funeral home on time.”
Mariss frowned. “She called you?”
“No. Actually, she called you, but I answered your phone. I hope you don't mind. Your mother called as well, but I let it go to voice mail, as I don't speak German.”
“You speak German?” Elise asked.
“Fluently,” Sebastian answered for her. “I'll leave you two ladies to it. No more stealing my favorite people.”
“Oh, Bash. You know I couldn't leave you.” Elise's singsong voice was sweet and syrupy. Mariss rolled her eyes, though she did like Elise quite a bit.
“We should do coffee some time,” Mariss offered after Sebastian was gone.
“Definitely. You know, when Sebastian told me I was going to work on your hair today, I was a little scared.” Elise giggled.
“Why's that?” Mariss asked.
“I thought you were a jerk. When I met you in London, you just seemed so…”
“Bitchy?” Mariss laughed.
“I wasn't going to say that,” Elise sounded horrified at being found out.
“I get that a lot. I'm very direct. People don't like it much.”
“Well, I'm glad I was wrong.”
“Oh, make no mistake,” Mariss corrected her. “I can be the biggest, badest bitch you've ever met, but never unprovoked.” She paused, then added, “Well, given that I'm not already having a bad day. The shoot in London was a rough one for me. We'd just lost our baby.”
The awkwardness in the room became unbearable. Mariss squirmed in her seat, ready for some time alone. Only, there wouldn't be any alone time today.
“Done,” Elise said. “Have a look.”
Mariss went to the bathroom mirror. Sebastian had replaced the curtain and her judo kick hadn't done anything to harm the door.
Her hair was sleek and straight and hung neatly over her shoulders. “Damn, girl.” Mariss ran her fingers through it, enjoying the feel of it between her fingers. “You're good.”
“That's what they all say,” Elise said, stepping up behind her. “You really do like it, though?”
“Of course! What kind of product did you use? I need to get some of that.”
“I have an extra bottle I can give you. Free of charge. I started my own company about a year ago. I'm still trying to get my name out.”
“Don't be ridiculous.” Mariss took the bottle and inspected it. “I'll pay you for this and I'll tell everyone how awesome it is.”
Elise smiled like Mariss couldn't have said anything more kind to her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
VULTURES
Sebastian's all-seeing eyes roved Mariss' body, sending shivers down her spine as he took in her attire. She wore a simple, cherry red sheath dress of roses on a field of black. No diamonds and no jewelry except for her wedding rings. Her shoes were black and her clutch was silver. She had her hair up in a loose coif.
His eyebrow went up, and he said, “That's a bold color choice. I'd expect nothing less from you, Red.”
Mariss shrugged.
“You'll catch a lot of flack for that.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, so comfortable, completely aware.
“They wouldn't dare say anything to me. Not today.”
“Maybe not.” Sebastian pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest for just a moment. It wasn't often that he showed his softer side. “You know I'm here for you. If you need to escape, I'll have the car ready to go at a moment's notice.”
“I can't escape my husband's funeral, Sebastian.”
“No, but you can escape the vultures. Come on. Time to go if we want to be on time and not incur Brit's wrath.”
Mariss held her spine straight as they rode the elevator down to the waiting car. Thankful that the windows were dark enough that no one would be able to see in, she allowed herself a moment to relax before she marched into the den of wolves. Maybe that wasn't fair. No one had made any kind of inappropriate remarks to her yet, but they would.
The moment they exited the car, all eyes were on her. Disapproving looks were tossed her way. The complete disdain for her manner of dress and her choice of company was hard to miss. Sebastian stayed close by her side, his hand firm at the small of her back.
Mariss looked around for the one woman who could make the madness stop. For a moment, she thought she might not have made it, but after ten minutes of searching, she found the little woman glaring at a man who'd bumped into her.
“Watch where you're going!” she shouted in German.
“Mama!” Mariss cried in relief. She flew into her mothers arms, heedless of Sebastian. “You made it.”
“Of course, I made it,” she replied in the only language she knew. “Of course, I'm here for you, May.”
The comfort of her mother's arms was almost her undoing. Mariss breathed in the familiar floral scent. “I've needed you, Mama,” she said softly.
It was a long moment before Mariss could let go of her mother. When she did, her eyes were on Sebastian, but she wasn't enthralled like most women would have been.
“Who is this?” she asked, her tone heavy laden with disapproval.
“This is Sebastian, Mama. He's a close friend of mine and Holden's and he's here for support.” She glanced at him to see how he was taking her mother's scrutiny, but she should have known better. Sebastian's grin was wide and as charming as ever. The fact that it had nothing to do with the woman who stood a good six inches shorter than Mariss didn't even phase him.
Sebastian took her mother's hand and bowed over it, raising it to his lips. If Mariss hadn't known better, she'd have mistaken him for some kind of royalty. Of course, he was English. It was in his blood, one way or another.
“Sebastian, my mother. Katrina Luft. And no, that's not my maiden name.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you,” Sebastian said.
Katrina didn't say a word but raised an eyebrow at him.
“Alright,” she said to Mariss after a moment. “He's charming at least.” She turned to her daughter, her eyes full of concern, and asked, “How are you, May?”
Mariss dipped her head, hiding the tears that threatened to pour down her cheeks.
Katrina pulled her into another hug and Sebastian touched her back before he moved away to speak to some of the other attendees.
“You'll be alright,” Katrina muttered. “When your father left, I… Of course, I know it's not the same, but… If there's anything I can do.”
Mariss
clung to her mother, loving her more for her words of support.
“I don't think they're happy with the way you're dressed,” she added.
Mariss chuckled. “I don't care. It's between me and Holden. It's none of their business.”
Katrina nodded. “Shall we go in?”
Mariss gripped her mother's hand, and together they walked into the funeral. The stares of the other attendees bore into her back, but she kept her head up, her concentration focused on the real reason they were here. She and her mother took their seats amidst the whispers and frowns, but she kept her eyes trained forward at the coffin where her husband lay in eternal slumber.
Time seemed to stand still. Even when Brit and Juliet sat next to her, she barely registered their presence. Mariss introduced her two friends to her mother as if in a fog. She focused all of her energy on not having a breakdown in front of the 'vultures' as Sebastian accurately called those who whispered where they thought she couldn't hear. Mariss gripped her mother's hand on one side of her and Brit's on the other.
All too soon, Mariss was called to the front to speak. Releasing her mother and her best friend, she made her way toward the casket. At the last moment, she turned away. If she saw him laying there she wouldn't be able to keep it together.
Mariss looked out over all of the disapproving faces. Some whispered to each other, their hangup with the 'societal norms' making waves.
“Holden once told me that I look stunning in black,” she began, making sure to address everyone in the room, “but I look even better in red. That is more explanation than I owe any of you.”
She looked down at the podium in front of her to gather herself, then cast her eyes back up. Sebastian smirked at her, his approval clear in his face. Mariss smiled back and looked away, letting her eyes dance over the assembled crowd. Holden's entire basketball team sat in the back of the right section. Mariss had been forced to invite only those closest to Holden. Many others would show at the graveside in a few hours.
“The way Holden was taken from, from us…” The words caught in her throat. How was she supposed to explain what had happened?
She cast a desperate glance toward her mother. The older woman nodded, her eyes sympathetic.
“It's alright, May,” she said in German. “You don't have to tell them.”
Mariss pursed her lips. Movement caught her eye and she turned her head. Sebastian stood, buttoned his suit coat, and strode to the front to stand beside her. He placed a comforting hand on her back and nodded for her to continue. When she turned back to the people gathered to honor her husband's memory, all she saw on their faces was judgmental disgust. If it was all about her, she wouldn't bother to explain herself, but she didn't want Holden's memory sullied.
“Holden wanted me taken care of,” she blurted. “He gave his blessing.”
Her words did nothing to change their minds or the looks on their faces.
Mariss shook her head. “I can't,” she whispered.
Sebastian pulled her to him and she pressed her face into his chest. Tears caught in her throat, strangling her. Mariss gasped, hiding her eyes, her hands twisted in the fabric of Sebastian's coat. Sebastian pulled her gently to the side, out of the way.
“Holden was a good man,” the deep voice of Holden's coach rumbled. “He knew what was best for him and what was best for his woman and we have no right to judge that!” His voice rose as if angry. Gentle murmurs spread across the people gathered, but she couldn't tell if they were angry or accepting.
Mariss turned to stare at the big man with renewed respect, tears trailing down her cheeks.
“Leave this woman alone and let her grieve the way she needs to.” Coach turned to her with a sad smile. “I remember the day Holden told me he'd found the woman he was going to marry. They met at a party and apparently hit it off, because he proposed to her right there.”
Mariss smiled back through her sadness. They hadn't known each other a half hour when he asked her to marry him.
“She told him… What was it you told him? Not if you stripped naked right here and professed your love to me?”
Mariss laughed with the rest of the people gathered. “That's what I said.” She looked up at Sebastian with her tear-stained face. “I'd never believed in love at first sight before.”
Sebastian's eyes grew sad. For someone who didn't believe in love, that must have been a hard concept to grasp. Even if he loved her now and didn't know it, he hadn't loved her from the beginning. His initial attraction to her had been purely lustful.
Mariss heart swelled in her chest, aching as if it didn't have enough room, as she listened to Coach list Holden's many good deeds and accomplishments. Sebastian kept her pressed close to him, as if he was afriad she'd fall to pieces if he didn't.
Emotions choked her, burrowing through her chest until she thought she would suffocate from the pain. Ragged sobs shook her body and the pain became too much for her. Sebastian's arms tightened as her knees gave out.
“Stay strong, sweetheart,” he said softly in her ear, refusing to let her fall to the floor. “It's almost over. I'll hold you up. Lean against me.”
Mariss clung to him, struggling to keep her feet beneath her. By the time the ceremony was over, she was able to walk with help. Sebastian stayed by her side until the two of them and her mother loaded into his car. He kept her pressed to his side. She could feel his worry, knew he was afraid she was slipping away. Mariss made a conscious effort to keep her mind in the here and now.
“Who is this man that Holden would give his blessing?” her mother asked.
Mariss looked up to find the same judgmental look on her mother's face as she'd seen on the others.
“Not now, Mama,” she answered in their native tongue. Sebastian frowned down at her, but said nothing.
“He drives you around in his fancy car and touches on you in public. What kind of message are you trying to send?”
“Mama, please. Not today.” Mariss swallowed the lump in her throat, knowing that her mother wasn't going to drop the subject without a fight.
“What have you done?” Katrina asked, her brown eyes piercing like she already knew the answer. “Have you had sex with him?”
“Yes, Mama. And before you ask, yes, Holden knew.” She hoped that would stop the questioning, but she knew better.
“He allowed such a thing?”
Mariss looked down at her hands, refusing to meet her mother's gaze. The disapproval in her tone was already more than she could bear. “Stop being rude. Sebastian doesn't speak German.”
“That's his loss.”
Anger exploded from her before she could stop it. “Stop this! Now!” Mariss didn't even bother to speak in German. The sound of her ragged, tired, pain-filled voice echoed through the car. She didn't even have the energy to feel bad for shouting at her mother. Couldn't she see? Didn't she know how much pain her daughter was in? Mariss wrangled back the tears and she begged her mother to understand.
Katrina slowly settled back in her seat, but kept a glaring eye on Sebastian. For the first time, Mariss sent a prayer of thanks heavenward that the man did not break under pressure. He turned to Mariss with a look in his eyes, a cross between anger and piqued interest.
“Are you alright?” he asked. “Will you be okay?”
She knew what he was asking. Was she going to turn into her zombie self or would she make it through the rest of the day whole?
Mariss nodded. “I'm okay. I'm just ready to get this overwith. I feel like, if I can just get past the funeral, I can start healing. Maybe I can get back to work.”
“You're not working?” her mother asked, once again concerned.
“No. Brit had me banned from the building. I might have fallen asleep there once or twice while working late.”
“And you're staying in that apartment alone?” There was sympathetic understanding in her tone now.
Mariss shook her head. “No, I'm staying at Sebastian's.” She didn't have to look at he
r mother to know what her face looked like.
“May!”
Maris turned to her mother, a snarl on her lips, but it was quickly diffused when Sebastian said loudly, “What did she call you?”
Mariss raised an eyebrow. “She called me May. It's what she's always called me. It's my nickname and it's because my birthday is in May.”
Sebastian's smirk reappeared. “Oh, really? I like that.”
Mariss shook her head. “Thanks, Mom. He'll never let this go.”
“Let what go? What have I done?”
She just shook her head again and stared out the window as the city passed, thankful that she was going to let it go for now.
Watching the casket be lowered into the ground was no easier than staring at Holden's silent, peaceful face laying there on the satin pillow. Mariss' heart ached at the thought of him surrounded by cold, unyeilding earth forever. Her mother's hand on her arm did little to comfort her, nor did Sebastian's warm hand gently gripping her own. All she wanted to do was go back to Sebastian's and sleep the rest of the day away.
Someone coughed. It was the discernible kind of cough that made one turn to see whose attention they were trying to get. Mariss turned slightly, her attention arrested long enough to catch sight of a blonde woman she knew, but didn't know. She did a double take and caght dark eyes boring into her with perverse enjoyment.
“Sebastian, she's here,” Mariss whispered. “Over there.”
“Who?” Sebastian turned. The two of them locked eyes, and the blonde blinked in surprise and ducked behind a tree.
“That's her.” She kept her voice down so her mother wouldn't hear. “That's the woman, Sebastian.” Her heart raced. Adrenaline pumped through her veins and she dropped her mother's hand, prepared to go after the woman who'd murdered her husband.
“I'll get Herbert,” Sebastian said. His voice held a warning that Mariss ignored.
“May, what's going on?” her mother asked.
Mariss turned, but didn't know what to say. She looked back at Sebastian as he stood off to the side confering with Herbert.
“What's going on, Mariss?”
Mariss turned to her mother's concerned tone, but didn't know what to say. “Mama…” Her mother frowned.
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