“I shouldn’t have let it go as far as it did. I’m sorry for what happened that night. It was a mistake.” He said the words and meant them. Even though he wouldn’t take back a second of the time he’d held her in his arms, tasted her lips and felt the silk of her skin, he never should have crossed that line. Not with India. The one person who’d always been on his side in the Robidoux family.
“A mistake?” She shook her head and let out a small chuckle. “You know what, Travis, you’re right. That night was a mistake. It was my birthday. We’d had way too many shots. That’s all. I’m more than happy to pretend it didn’t happen.”
The hurt that flickered across her features almost made him take back the words. Almost. Nothing came of reliving one night years ago. Not if they were going to go back to being cool with each other. Not if they were going to be near each other.
“If we do that, does that mean you’re no longer mad at me?”
“I’m not mad at you.” The words stumbled from her lips. “Really, I’m mad at myself.”
“Why?”
She glanced around the backyard. “I’m mad at being coerced into staying. Once again, I’m drawn into the Robidoux drama. It never ends.”
“You mean Byron’s run for Senate?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m happy for my brother. I wish him lots of luck, but that doesn’t mean I want to stay here and be a part of the parade.”
Travis slowly turned his half-touched glass of bourbon on the table. “Try not to be upset. Your brother really cares and wants to help the constituents. He wants to win, and while your sister can help him strategize, he needs your compassion.”
“My compassion?” Interest sparked in her eyes as she looked at him over the rim of her glass. An almost flirty look that made him shift in his seat.
Travis dropped his gaze and picked up his drink. “You’ll help him win the voters’ hearts.”
“Why, because I’m the baby girl of the family?” she asked in a droll tone.
Travis chuckled. Some things never changed. She’d never liked being only viewed as the baby of the family. He knew that was part of the reason she’d struck out on her own with the Transatlantic Orchestra. She’d wanted to make a name for herself that wasn’t tied to her family’s empire. He’d always admired that about her.
“No, because you have a heart. Out of all of them—” he pointed toward the yard where the rest of her family payed homage to their court of fans and followers “—you’re the one most likely to really give a damn.” He knocked back half of his drink. “Byron needs that. Someone to remind him not to sell his soul to politics.” Something Travis feared Byron would succumb to in order to win.
“You really think I can do that?” She didn’t sound convinced.
“I know you can. He listens to you and your sister. He’ll take whatever advice you give to heart.”
Byron always considered any guidance his sisters gave. He may not always do what they recommended, but he never blithely dismissed what they had to say. With India back in town, there was a good chance Byron wouldn’t become a political cliché.
“I get that, but my plan was to go to California in a few weeks.” India pulled the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth.
Travis straightened and downed the rest of his drink, refusing to be distracted by her mouth. Those soft lips. “What’s in California?”
“I requested an audition with the LA Philharmonic.” Excitement crept into her voice. “I loved traveling with the Transatlantic, but I kind of want to settle down. Put in some roots and make a home for myself.”
Roots? Was she looking to settle down? If so, with whom? “Can you settle down here?” Unless she had some guy waiting for her out in California.
“I don’t want to live here,” she said quickly and firmly.
“Why not? It’s your home.” Was there a guy? He wanted to ask, but that wasn’t his business. He shouldn’t...didn’t care.
She glanced at him, then finished her drink. “I have my reasons. Mostly, I want to build my life without the pressure of my family reputation hovering over me.”
He was only slightly put at ease by her answer. India had never wanted to be governed by family pressure. She’d traveled across the world just to prove that. Still, her family missed her. They’d enjoy having her home longer.
Her family, or you?
“Having a family reputation behind you can be beneficial,” Travis said. “Especially when your family has a reputation worth being proud of.” Bitterness crept into his voice and she stiffened before concern etched across her face.
“How is your family?” she asked hesitantly.
Travis smiled and twirled his empty glass on the table. “You don’t have to ask like that.”
Her eye widened. “Like what?”
“As if you’re afraid to bring up the subject.”
She placed a hand on her chest. “I’m not afraid to bring up the subject.”
Travis smiled, sat forward and leaned his arm on the table. “My family is the same. Still living in Sunnyside Acres, despite my efforts to move them out. My mom says she’s not bothering to mingle with bougie people that don’t want her around. My dad is still calling me a sellout.”
“Why is he still being so stubborn? You’ve only wanted to do something great with your life and help people.”
Her eyes sparked with anger and indignation. She looked like a mother bear ready to defend her young. That’s what he’d loved about India. The way she instantly jumped to the defense of people she cared about. Would she still react that way once she understood the latest reason his family had chosen to hate him?
“I can understand his anger this time,” he said slowly. “I took on a case defending the guy who shot my cousin.”
She sucked in a breath. “What?”
He longed for another drink. The drama with the case and his family was more than he wanted to deal with tonight. “My cousin Antwan was going back and forth with Zachariah King. You remember him?”
“The shady loan shark?”
“Alleged shady loan shark.” The response was automatic. He was a defense attorney. His personal feelings toward Zachariah had nothing to do with how he defended the man. Zachariah owned several title loan and payday lending businesses. He took people’s cars, property and last paychecks without qualms. Many people in town hated him, but still went to Zachariah when the banks said no.
“Antwan went to Mr. King’s business with the intent of robbing him. Possibly more. Mr. King acted in self-defense.”
Everyone knew that, but Zachariah’s history of shady behavior meant there were those who thought Antwan was doing the county a favor taking him out. Things had gone south quick. His cousin was dead, and his family wanted vengeance.
He and Antwan had been close. Almost like brothers. But like the rest of his family, the closer Travis got to Grant and Byron, the more Antwan believed Travis thought he was too good to hang with them. He and Antwan hadn’t talked in years before his death, but when he’d learned his cousin was dead, Travis had been angry. Angry at the path his cousin had taken, the loss of the relationship they’d once had and the unfairness of a life cut short.
India’s hand rested on his. “Are you okay?”
Her touch was light, but he felt the connection in every cell of his body. Not many people asked him that. Everyone took him at face value when he said his job was to defend his client no matter the situation. His relationship with his family was already strained. Had been strained from the moment Travis went to work for Robidoux Tobacco as a young adult, though he never understood the reason for his father’s animosity over that decision. He had no idea why his father considered him a sellout, and though he’d once hoped to fix his strained relationship with his parents, he doubted that was a possibility after this case.
He glanced down at I
ndia’s hand on his own. The simple, caring gesture made him want to spill everything in his soul. All the confusion, pain and disgust he felt with himself, this case and the choices he’d made with his life. His other hand lifted to rest on top of hers. Movement in his periphery caught his eye attention.
“There you are.” Camille’s voice. “I was looking for you.”
India pulled her hand from his quickly. Their eyes met. An infinity passed in that second he held her gaze. So many words. So many feelings bubbled inside. He wanted to both walk away from her without another glance and pull her into his arms and hold her tight. The scary thing was, he thought he saw the same longing in her eyes.
“You found me,” he said, not looking at Camille.
“I’ve got to go find Byron,” India said. She rose from her seat. Travis immediately stood, as well. Old-school chivalry was still ingrained in him.
India met his eyes and raised a brow. “Remember what I said. Let’s make the night go smoothly.”
They were back to the original reason she’d sought him out. Not because she’d wanted to talk to him. Not because they were back to the way things were before he’d screwed everything up and kissed her. Elaina was her priority. The one she cared about. The one that would always keep them apart.
“There’s nothing smooth about this family,” he said dryly. “But it’s time to move on. I think we all have to accept that.” Himself included. He turned from the frown forming on India’s face to Camille. “Let’s dance.”
Camille nodded and slipped her arm through his. She threw a quick, uncertain glace in India’s direction. He led her toward the dance floor before she could verbalize whatever thought was forming in her head.
He put his empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray. No more alcohol for him tonight. He already felt unstable just from how quickly India had seen the stress in him from this case. How easily he’d been ready to confess all of his uncertainties and regrets just from a simple touch that still tickled across his senses.
She was back. She still saw things in him no one else picked up on. He’d have to be more guarded around her if he had any hopes of ignoring the longing for her that still swirled inside him.
CHAPTER FIVE
“DID AUNT LIZ tell you to keep Travis away from me?”
India turned toward her sister. The party was in full swing. People laughing, mingling and opening their wallets in support of Byron’s campaign. India had finally gotten a second to breathe and walk away from the constant small talk and smiling. Just beyond the manicured lawn where the party took place was an area her mom had left more or less natural. Tall pine trees with azalea bushes in between flanked unpaved walkways that led to the pool house to the east, lake to the west and south toward the first tobacco fields. Of course, Elaina would find her sitting quietly on a bench near one of the pine trees.
Elaina watched her with cool eyes. She held a half-full champagne glass in one hand, her arm bent so the glass hovered near her face. Her other arm crossed her slim midsection, her hand resting beneath her bent elbow in a pose that would look good on any runway model.
“Actually, she asked me to tell Travis to play nice with you tonight,” India said. There was no reason to lie. Between her, Ashiya and Aunt Liz, they’d all managed to ensure Elaina and Travis were never in the same area of the party. Elaina wasn’t foolish. She would have noticed their efforts to keep them separated.
Elaina rolled her eyes, took a long sip of her champagne. “I’m not going to make a scene. Not at Byron’s party. This is to launch his candidacy. He’s got a long road to win the primaries. I won’t be the reason he loses.”
That was a relief. India had been surprised by the passion in Byron’s voice as he promised to do everything in his power to serve the people of this area if elected. She’d never seen her brother passionate about anything except women or his own self-interests. A lot had changed in the time since she’d been on tour.
“If it weren’t a party for Byron, would you make a scene?” She watched Elaina closely. Was everyone right? Was her sister still holding a torch for her ex-husband?
“Travis would love for me to make a scene.” Elaina walked over and sat next to India on the stone bench. The smell of the night-blooming jasmine that grew on the arch over the bench filled the air and mingled with Elaina’s expensive perfume.
“Why do you think he’d want that?”
“Because then he could accuse me of actually having a heart.” Elaina finished the champagne in her glass. “He thinks I’m cold,” she said with an eye roll.
“You’re not cold.” India tried to sound sincere. Elaina cut her a dubious glance. She’d work harder on being believable next time. “You’re not overly affectionate, but you aren’t coldhearted or mean, Elaina. Even though you try to pretend to be.”
The corner of Elaina’s mouth tilted up. “I’m sensible and realistic. That’s more important when it comes to our family.”
That was the truth. Their family was always under a spotlight in their town. The people of Jackson Falls, North Carolina, looked to the Robidoux family as one of their most influential. Being under that constant spotlight meant they never knew a person’s true motives for coming into their lives. It’s why they stuck together no matter what. They might not always be able to trust each other, but they were certain they couldn’t always trust people outside of their family circle.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” India asked. “Would you... Do you want to make a scene?”
Elaina lifted the glass to her mouth. Frowned at the empty crystal flute and placed it on the bench next to her. “No. I don’t want to make a scene. Scenes don’t change things or make things better. I knew eventually he’d move on. I didn’t think it would be with that Ferguson twit. I thought he was smarter than that.”
“Guys aren’t always smart when it comes to the women they sleep with. Byron is proof of that.”
Again, Elaina’s mouth twitched. “True.”
“Why did you two...”
Elaina turned and eyed her.
The warning was clear, but India didn’t back down from her sister’s sharp glare. “I mean, if you still love him.”
Elaina lifted a hand, effectively shushing India. “I didn’t come out here for a heart-to-heart.”
“Then why did you come out here, Elaina?” India snapped back. Her shoulders tightened at Elaina’s quick dismissal. No matter how conflicted she was about her feelings for Travis, she didn’t want her sister to hurt.
“To tell you the efforts to keep me and Travis apart aren’t needed. I’m not fragile. I’m not going to break.” Elaina pushed a lock of thick hair that had escaped the sleek twist behind her ear.
India swore her sister’s hand trembled, but she’d dropped her hand before India could be sure. Though no one else was around, Elaina held herself rigid. Back ramrod straight, shoulders stiff, tightness around her full lips. Her sister was wound even tighter than usual. Concern wormed its way through India’s irritation. The feeling was unusual. Elaina never appeared to be on the verge of breaking down. She was always so calm and in control. What was really going on?
India placed a hand over her Elaina’s. Her sister’s fingers were cold despite the warm evening. “Elaina, you can talk to me. You don’t have to hold everything in.”
Elaina stood abruptly, the movement swift and graceful despite the speed of her efforts to get out of India’s reach. “I came for another reason. Daddy sent me to find you.” One of her perfectly manicured brows arched and the semblance of a true smile graced Elaina’s lips. “He’d like you to meet Russell Gilchrist.”
India winced. She’d forgotten all about Daddy’s “project,” as Elaina had called him earlier. “I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
In Paris she’d casually dated an art professor she’d met in a café. He’d talked to her about his
students and passion for art while showing her the city. The entire situation had been sweet and sexy, but she’d known it wasn’t forever. She wasn’t ready to get back out there again.
“Either meet him now or have him invited to dinner unexpectedly later.” Elaina’s reply was pragmatic as usual.
“I’m not going to let Daddy run my life,” India said.
Elaina placed a hand on her hip and made India feel like a pouting five-year-old with one look. “Will you stop whining? Russell is really a decent guy. He’s not stupid and doesn’t follow Daddy around like a mindless minion. Plus, Daddy isn’t asking you to marry the guy, just to meet him. So, play along. Be nice, maybe go to coffee and then quietly send Russell off on his merry way and Daddy will be none the wiser.”
“That won’t work.”
“Oh really? Do you think Daddy hasn’t tried to hook me up in the two years since my divorce?” She held up her left hand. “Still not married or engaged. Trust me. Once you’ve gone on a date, he loses interest and doesn’t pay attention again until you’ve already sent the schmuck on his way.”
Laughter burst from India. She doubted her dad lost interest in anything he set in motion, but she was fairly certain he’d tried to get Elaina remarried or in a new relationship. If Elaina had avoided one of his setups, then she had a point.
“Fine.” India stood and brushed off the front and back of her dress.
You look nice. I like the dress.
Hardly the world’s most debonair or sophisticated compliment. But those simple words, combined with Travis’s dark gaze and smooth drawl, had made her body flare.
Stop it right now! She was not going there. No fantasizing about Travis. His eyes, voice, body or anything else. The air between them was clear. They’d made a mistake that night. He’d gone with her too-many-shots excuse and looked exceedingly relieved to have the entire situation resolved. Obviously, she’d read too much into that night.
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