by René, Dani
I focus on Ashton, who’s perched on the edge of the desk on the far side of the room. Our office is a shared space. The large room is decked out with dark mahogany shelving covering one of the walls— books of every kind cover the floor to the ceiling. A window on the adjacent wall overlooks the grounds, and opposite, there’s a set of French doors that lead out to a patio and pool area.
The corner of the house is the one area where we can have our personal space, while also spend time together. With Ashton away most evenings meeting the women he loves to pay, I spend time in here reading and thinking about the uncertain future. Sometimes I wonder if I should just tell my brother the one thing that I’ve kept from him for too long.
Not yet.
Shaking my head to the dark thought, I try to focus on what I have planned for the day. My love is art. Ash has his music—he’s the pianist in the family. Because my father didn’t believe there was money to be earned in the arts. Instead, he ensured we each got a business degree.
“I have to get to a meeting. Did you want to tag along?” Ash straightens before stalking toward the window and stopping beside me where I’m perched on the chair.
“No. I need time to think about what I’m going to do the moment I see her, or when I speak to her.” My voice cracks and the ache in my chest intensifies. Dizziness hits me suddenly, and I blink a few times before I can look at my brother. Even though I want to go to Katerina and talk to her, fear still niggles in my gut.
“I want to meet with her once more, Ember. Alone. Once I have gauged her reaction to me, we can figure out how to approach her with the offer.” My brother is adamant. Perhaps it’s for the best that he’s doing it on his own because I’m not sure I would be able to walk away.
“Then I want to take her to dinner tomorrow night. You can spend this evening with her, but tomorrow it’s my turn,” I tell him. “She won’t know we’re related. I look nothing like you with that mess of hair you call styled. I’ll call Maria and tell her I’d like company at dinner, and she can set it up.” I glance at him, waiting for him to give me an excuse as to why I shouldn’t, but he only watches me for a moment, before he smiles.
“Meet her at the hotel, have dinner, delve into the girl’s head, and see what she wants. If we’re comfortable, we can introduce ourselves on Saturday.”
Nodding, I tell him, “Fine. I can do that.”
My plan has to work. A date to get her comfortable with me before we finally reveal who we are. If only my brother knew the real reason, I’m doing this. It’s for him, it has always been for him.
Ash nods. Buttoning up his jacket, he leaves me in the office to mull over everything I know about the girl. I really should stop calling her that. She’s a woman now, but I can’t see her as a grown-up yet. It’s been two years since I last saw her. I took a step back and left Ash to deal with her, hidden in the shadows until it was my time.
Rising from the chair, I sigh as I make my way through the house. Addington Hall is a monstrosity of eleven bedrooms, a few hectares of lush gardens, and a winding, bricked driveway that takes you off the estate. There’s a forest behind the house which leads off to a river. We’re nestled on the outskirts of the city, hidden like a jewel in a safe, never to be found.
My mind is a whirl of confusion and anxiety. I want so much to sit Ash down and tell him everything that’s bothering me, but I know he’s had a lot on his plate since taking over our father’s company.
I’ve always been a loner, and spending my days in the house has become somewhat routine. But there are times I wonder if I should be out there, enjoying my life. It’s so fragile; one moment you’re living, breathing, and the next, you’re no longer here.
I’ve lost two significant people in my life, and it’s pained me in ways I have never confessed to my brother. I wonder how Ash would feel if he lost me. Would he break? I know I’d shatter if he was no longer here.
Love. A precarious emotion that keeps you on the edge, swaying left and right, until one day you fall. Once you do, there’s no coming back from it.
I enter my bedroom suite and open the door to my walk-in closet before stepping inside. The black shelves with mirrored doors offer the space an open feeling. Even though it’s not as large as Ashton’s wardrobe, there are clothes hung everywhere. Shirts and suits, T-shirts, jeans, shoes, all in black, blue, or gray. I’m not a fan of color. Even my paintings are void of bright shades. There’s something beautiful in the darkness. It’s a place you can hide. I’ve suppressed so much already, I don’t know how to claw my way out.
My heart hurts. There’s a physical pain in my chest, reminding me that I’m going to have to be honest, and that alone will break me.
After pulling out a suit, along with one of the charcoal-colored shirts, I hang them against the door to one of the cabinets. The tie I pick out is silver, which I know will look good against the muted palette.
I have a meeting with two investors this afternoon, and even though it’s still early, I like making sure everything is planned, that each suitable item is set out before the time comes. Entering my bedroom once more, I grab my cell phone from the bed and tap in Maria’s number. Three rings and I’m greeted by her husky tone.
“Mr. Addington,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Maria, I trust you’re well?”
“Always. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like a dinner companion tomorrow evening. My brother tells me you have a new girl who’s just started?” I enquire, knowing she’ll agree. We’re some of her best clients—at least, Ashton is.
“Yes. She goes by the moniker Flame.”
“Perfect. I’d like to have dinner at the Ivory Hotel at seven tomorrow. She can meet me in the bar area,” I inform Maria.
“Of course. I’ll schedule her right now.”
“Thank you, Maria. Talk soon.” I hang up before she can respond.
It’s done. I’ll meet the precious girl who’s got Ash so smitten, and I’ll test the waters to see if she would even be willing to accept a proposition from two strangers. I’ve seen him pursue women before, but it doesn’t compare to how happy he looked this morning.
Has she changed? Has she filled out, gotten those womanly curves? Or is she still just a slight waif I could throw onto my bed and have my wicked way with? As much as I think it, I know I won’t. Katerina is Ashton’s.
Most women think I’m an asshole, and at times I am, but that’s until they meet Ashton. I’m the quiet, unassuming brother, who most think of as conceited. Too full of myself. When I step into the room, they fawn over me, giggling and flirting, but that’s not what turns me on, so I ignore them until someone catches my eye.
I’ve never been a fan of going out to have one-night stands with random women. I enjoyed my college years, and I’ve cared for girls I’ve been with, but I appreciate a challenge. As time has gone by, my focus has become Ashton’s happiness. I’ve given up on the notion of falling in love, and I’m not concerned about it. I’m content.
It’s time for my brother to feel at ease with life, with who he is. It’s been years since I’ve seen him smile, truly grin with happiness. I shove my sweatpants off, then tug my T-shirt up and over my head while I ponder just how I’m going to toy with Ashton to make sure he’s as content as I am.
I don’t want him to be paying a woman for her company for the rest of his life. And if there’s one thing I do know, my brother enjoys when I taunt him. Making it a competition will make him step up his game.
Katerina will be the prize.
I pad into the closet once more in an attempt to get ready for my meeting this afternoon and grab fresh underwear. Back in the bedroom, my mind flits back to Katerina working as an escort, and try to understand why girls do it, why they sell themselves like that, but I know not everyone is lucky enough to have what we do.
How far down the dark path would I walk if I were forced to? Perhaps not selling my body, but would I be hooked on drugs, stealing
? I guess I’ll never know. Having a father who provided anything we ever wanted was a privilege, and in all my life, I never took it for granted.
I just wish he was still here to see the men we’ve become—strong, resilient, and responsible. My eyes burn with emotion threatening to spill, and weariness hits me suddenly, causing me to sit on the bed. I focus on Katerina, on our dinner, on what I know I have to do.
Eighteen. She’s still practically a child. And she’s had to grow up far too fast.
Sadly, we all did.
I grab my phone and tap out a message to Ash, letting him know I’ll be heading into the city to meet with rich assholes who are interested in purchasing stock in the company. I rise on unsteady legs, and head into the bathroom to shower before I start my day.
Once the water is heated, I step under the spray and turn my mind to work.
Ash
“Ash, wake up.”
My brother’s voice steals me from sleep. I open my eyes to find him staring at me as if he’s just seen a ghost. Ember has always been a sensitive child, but he seems more stressed out than usual.
“What's wrong?”
“I think Dad is in trouble.”
That was the moment I knew we were fucked. All the years my father went off the rails, I watched from the sidelines. He wasn’t hurting us, and the business was still doing well, but that night changed our lives.
Tonight I’ll see her again, and I know at some point, I’m going to have to be honest and tell her who I am, who my father is. But before that, we’ll offer her a chance at her dream. Once it’s over, I’ll have to walk away.
But can I do that?
I should stop Ember from going to meet her. He’ll only get attached, and that’s not part of the plan. Giving her the opportunity for a new life is what we should be doing; getting involved with her is not.
I shove my office door open and step inside before making my way around the desk. The moment the computer flickers to life, the emails start flowing in. Meeting reminders sound with a ding, but I ignore them all and open the folder on my desktop. Clicking on the image, I open it to full screen and stare at her.
Katerina Nielsen.
Her birthday is coming up soon. She’ll be nineteen. Months have passed since I first hired the PI, who finally found her. When he located the pretty girl, I asked him to follow her around. He’d gauged the information I needed. Most importantly he’d hacked into her bank records showing the non-existent balance. And that’s when we tracked her down working for Maria.
I know how much she’s struggling, and last night when I offered her ten grand, it was nothing. To me, at least. I’ve been watching her for months. If I had been honest with Ember, I would’ve told him how much I want her.
I open another folder on my computer, which is encrypted. Tapping in the password, I click on the police records of the night her family’s store went up in flames. No witnesses, no suspects. An accident. I look at them every day as a reminder of how fleeting life is.
“Mr. Addington,” Bronwen, my PA, sticks her head into the office with a bright smile. “Your ten o’clock is here.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there shortly.”
She nods, before shutting the door and leaving me to close both documents and right myself. Time to do some work. As I head out to the boardroom, my head is still filled with how I’m going to pull off all the lies my father left me with.
* * *
The day dragged on, and all I wanted to do was finish work early and be at the hotel before Katerina arrives. But it seems I’m the one who’s late and she’s already here, already nursing a drink. Entering the bar area, I take her in before making my way toward her.
She looks beautiful, and far too innocent sitting waiting for me. I approach her, and settle on a stool, before glancing at her. My hungry gaze takes in the dress that’s draped over her slim form. It’s black—elegant and classic.
“You look rather lovely,” I tell her with a smile, signaling for a whiskey from the barman. A soft blush turns her cheeks darker, and I watch in awe as the pinkish hue travels down her neck.
“Thank you.” Her voice is shy. Her gray eyes meet mine, and I’m entranced by her. She’s not wearing much makeup, and she doesn’t need it. It’s the second time I’ve been in her company, and she’s captured my attention more than any woman has before.
“How was your day?” I ask, lifting the newly delivered drink to my lips and taking a sip. The alcohol burns its way down my throat, calming my erratic heartbeat.
“Busy. I had to set up a meeting with the dean in the hope of attending university when the year starts,” she says, and I notice the sadness in her tone.
“That’s exciting,” I offer with a smile. My gaze locks on her trembling fingers as they toy with the glass of wine she’s nursing as though it’s her last one ever.
“Not sure I’d say exciting,” she murmurs, lifting the drink to her lips. She sips the red liquid. “I’m sorry,” she says, looking at me. “I didn’t mean to sound so morbid about it. I just . . . I’m not sure I’ll be able to go to school, at least for another year . . . And I mean . . . Never mind. You don’t need to know this.”
She stumbles over her words, which makes me grin. There’s an underlying pain that I know she hides through the smiles she gifts me with, and I want to wrap her in my arms and tell her it will all be okay. Even though I should offer her solace, I don’t. It’s not time yet.
“Maybe luck will be on your side,” I tell her. “Who knows what life may bring?”
I’m out of my depth. Ember is the one who should be talking about feelings and emotions. I don’t deal well with either, and it’s clear.
“So, what would you like to do tonight?” she asks, changing the subject.
I can’t draw my gaze away from her. Each movement is like a melody, and I fantasize about how I could make music with her body. A gentle caress, a soft kiss, a long, languid lick, and a ferocious nibble. “I’d love to take you somewhere special,” I tell her, before swallowing the whiskey and rising from my seat. Offering her my hand, I wait only a moment before she slips her delicate one in mine.
Leading her through the hotel, I find the room which has been set out for me alone. Nobody enters, and none of the guests know it’s there. What Katerina doesn’t realize is I own this hotel. I own every brick holding this building up. I pull the key from my pocket and slide it into the slot before pushing the door open.
In the center of the room is the most beautiful baby grand piano I’ve ever laid eyes on. I bought it a year ago, and when I’m here alone, I sit in the room and play to my heart’s content. I get lost in the music my fingers make from memory.
The piano I have at home is my salvation, but this? It’s my redemption, because it’s given me nights of comfort. Each time I thought of Katerina, I promised myself I would bring her here one day. The keys call to me, causing my fingertips to tingle.
“You play?” Kat questions with a smile. Her wide eyes meet mine, and I get lost in them for a moment before nodding.
“I do,” I tell her, settling on the stool. Patting the space beside me, I wait for her to sit before asking, “Can I play something for you?”
“Yes, please.” Her smile is sweet, her face lit up with excitement.
Turning to the instrument, I linger with my fingers hovering over the keys before I close my eyes and allow them to dance over the ebony and ivories. The melody fills the room, wrapping itself around us, and I let the ballad take hold as the sound resonates against the walls.
Moments pass before I come to the end of the song and open my eyes. When I do, Katerina is watching me with rapt attention. Big gray orbs shimmer with tears, and her plump lips are curled into a grin.
“You’re so talented,” she murmurs.
“It’s not the only thing I’m well-versed in.” I chuckle, nudging her shoulder in jest, which lightens the mood in the room after the somber music that filled it only seconds ago.
&nbs
p; Her scowl is cute. Her nose wrinkles at me before she responds, “Don’t be gross, Ash.” Her innocence once again shines through like a beacon on a dark night. The fact that this girl decided that selling herself was a good idea, angers me.
“Just being honest,” I tell her with a shrug. “Do you play?” I gesture to the piano.
“A little,” she murmurs shyly. I watch her reach for the keys, stroking them reverently as she gazes at them. Then, without warning, she presses down, her fingers lightly dancing along with each key, playing Beethoven’s 5th. She doesn’t falter. Her body sways as she plays and the curve of her spine along with the column of her slender neck make me lick my lips. She’s exquisite.
The song that fills the space is flawless. Watching her get lost in the music turns my body hot with desire. I want to take her, to feel her around me as she plays. Watching her at the piano is like observing a bird take flight, soaring through the sky.
Silence falls the moment she stills. Her body is stationary, and her eyes open. When Kat turns to me, she grins. There’s real happiness in her gaze. I want to see that look on her face all the time.
“Someone is hiding secrets from me,” I say, tipping my head to the side, allowing my fingertips to trail along her shoulder and reveling in the goosebumps that rise all over her arm.
“I learned to play when I was younger. My mother loved teaching me the melodies. Now that she’s gone . . . I mean, I haven’t played in such a long time, since she died,” she confesses, with a melancholy appearing to replace the now-forgotten contentment. Stormy orbs shimmer with the pain of the past two years.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up painful memories for you,” I tell her, placing my finger under her chin to tip her head backward. “I don’t like seeing you sad.”