Rich and Seductive: The Fraternity Brothers Series Book Three

by Rose, Emerson

  Fiona pokes her head in the door and motions for me to come out into the hall.

  “Is everything all right?” I ask when I’ve joined her.

  “No, that whore has been taking things. I bet she’s been in here the whole time he’s been in the hospital robbing him. His emergency cash is gone, the Tiffany lamp from his desk, a Bose sound system, and who knows what else.”

  “You’re kidding me? And this is a woman he dated for years?”

  “She wasn’t always this bad. She was actually kinda cool when he first met her freshman year. She comes from a middle-class family who struggled financially. She got a full-ride scholarship to go to college. Something happened our sophomore year, though, and she started swinging back and forth between the nice girl we knew to a wild and unpredictable Kelly. Slowly, she just became the wild Kelly, and her friend base changed. She still hung out with us when she was with Lennon, but most of the time, she hung with her loser friends who got her into trouble.”

  “Why did Lennon stay with her?”

  “I guess he loved her, or he loved the person he originally met and couldn’t let go.”

  “It sounds like she’s ill.”

  “Yeah, Evan thinks she’s bipolar, but she won’t go for help. He encouraged her to see someone, and she told him to go screw himself.”

  “Lovely.”

  “Yeah, she’s a peach. So, how’s he doing in there?” she says, hitching her thumb toward Lennon’s room.

  “Sleeping, probably tired from his exciting evening and the seizure,” I say sarcastically.

  Fiona shutters. “Gross, I hope they didn’t do anything, you know…”

  “Sexual?” I finish for her, and she makes a gagging face.

  “I think it could be considered rape if they did. He wasn’t in his right mind, and she kidnapped him from the hospital.”

  “I don’t know if kidnapping is the right word. He said he wanted to leave.”

  “Yes, but he has a brain injury. He doesn’t know what he wants. She took advantage of the situation. I wonder what the hell she was doing there at that time of night, anyway.”

  “She probably figured she would have a better chance of sneaking in when there’s less staff.”

  “True.”

  “Do you think she has a drug problem? Why is she stealing such expensive items, and where is the money going?”

  “Who knows? My bet is she’s partying with friends, paying for everyone’s drinks, acting like she’s about to marry a billionaire.”

  “Billionaire?”

  “Lennon’s family is rich as hell. He could sit around on his ass for the rest of his life and never raise a finger if he wanted to.”

  “I can’t imagine him doing that.”

  “No, he loves his work.”

  “What kind of attorney is he?”

  “He’s a defense attorney. He joined an established law firm about six months ago, and he’s already making a name for himself.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. He seems like a bright chap.”

  “Girl, you and that accent.”

  “What?”

  “It’s so damn cute. Why don’t you have a boyfriend, anyway?”

  I hate that question. My mother asks me at least three times a week when I’m going to find a nice chap and settle down. The answer is, I don’t know. I’ve tried dating sites and set-ups by my friends, but no one clicks, no one until Lennon, that is. “I haven’t found the right one, I suppose.”

  “You know what I think?”

  Lord only knows what this woman thinks. “What’s that?”

  “I think the right one is sleeping in that room,” she says, pointing her finger at Lennon’s door.

  “What makes you say that?” I really want to know because I feel the same way with no solid reasoning. I don’t know him from Jack, and we have only had basic conversations that revolve around his condition. The only thing we have in common so far is our vicinity and chemistry.

  “Well, for starters, you’re the only one he consistently remembers every time he wakes up. And then there’s the way he looks at you whenever you’re in the room, and you and your swoony eyes and…”

  I hold up my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I get it. For the record, I think he remembers me only because I was the first to speak to him when he came out of his coma. And as for my ‘swoony’ eyes, I think you need to have your own eyes checked.”

  She shakes her head back and forth, slowly grinning. “You keep telling yourself that, mate.”

  “Don’t get cheeky with me, little lady.”

  After a long pause, we fall into a fit of giggles until the doorbell rings.

  I sniff and cough before collecting myself. “Wow, that was fast. Do you think it’s Dr. Carmichael already?”

  “You work with him all the time, is he a Speedy Gonzales?”

  I give her a side glance as we descend the stairs. “What’s a Speedy Gonzales?”

  She shakes her head. “Never mind.”

  I open the door, and Dr. Carmichael looks surprised to see me. “Oh, Ms. Thomas, I didn’t know you would be here,” he says.

  “Fiona and I are friends. She knew I was going to take the home healthcare position with Mr. Berkshire, so she called me for help when she found out he was missing.”

  “I see. Well, then, why don’t you show me where the patient is. I’m not happy about the lack of security at the hospital. Were you able to find out how on earth he got home?”

  “His fiancée came in last night and helped him,” I say.

  “She’s not his fiancée,” Fiona says.

  “Ah, that woman. I thought I put her on the check-first list,” he says, his voice laced with irritation.

  “You did. The unit clerk must have stepped away from her desk,” I say.

  “Yes, yes, that must be it.”

  “He’s this way,” Fiona says, heading upstairs. “Trinity, you could go familiarize yourself with the kitchen and make some tea if you like,” she adds in a bit of a British accent.

  “You’re still a cheeky little lady,” I say, and she points down the hall to the left of the centralized staircase. I go mostly out of curiosity. I’d like to see the kitchen of a billionaire.

  I follow the dark hall to the end where it opens up into a surprisingly bright and cheerful kitchen fit for a professional chef. The walls are painted a pale blue, the cupboards are white with frosted glass fronts, the appliances are commercial grade yet beautiful, and every small appliance imaginable is lined up on shelves under the massive island that separates the kitchen from a casual dining area. The entire back wall is glass, so whoever is lucky enough to be in this kitchen, can look out over the perfectly manicured lawn and gardens.

  I lay my hand on the island and drag my fingers across it as I walk toward the wall of windows. The flower gardens are breathtakingly beautiful. He must employ a huge staff of people to keep it looking that way.

  Someone clears their throat behind me. I whirl around to find a handsome gentleman in his late sixties with salt and pepper hair standing next to the kitchen sink. “Would you be Ms. Thomas, Mr. Lennon’s new nurse?”

  “I would. And who might you be?”

  A broad smile spreads across his face when he hears me speak. “You’re British,” he exclaims, clapping his hands together.

  “Why yes, that I am.”

  “May I make you a cup of tea?” he asks.

  “Would it disappoint you if I’d rather have coffee?”

  “I would be a liar if I said no. I’d be happy to make you coffee, though. I’m from across the pond originally, too. I was born in London and moved to the United States when I was ten years old. My name is Callahan. I’m Mr. Berkshire’s chef and butler for all intents and purposes. I’m not much of a butler these days. I mostly cook.”

  “Really? Do you remember much of London?”

  “No, sadly, not much. I’ve been back once to vacation, though.”

  “I’m glad you were a
ble to do that. So, Callahan, do you live here?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

  “Did you hear anyone come in last night?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I did. Ms. Striker brought Mr. Lennon home quite early this morning,” he says, putting a tea kettle of water on the stove. He presses his lips together in a straight line. “She made quite a racket. I had to get up and help her get him up to bed.”

  This is great, finally someone who knows what’s really going on between Lennon and Kelly. “May I ask you something?”

  “Of course, ma’am.”

  I cringe when he calls me ma’am again. “You can call me Trinity.”

  “Thank you, Trinity.”

  “You’re welcome. Do you remember when Lennon and Kelly were engaged?”

  His mouth pops open, and his eyes widen. “Engaged? Good Lord, they aren’t engaged.”

  I close my eyes and smile. I knew she was faking it.

  “Why ever do you think that?”

  “She’s going around telling everyone who will listen that they are engaged, and she’s wearing his grandmother’s diamond ring.”

  He drops the bag of coffee beans he was holding onto the counter. “Tilly’s ring? That’s worth a small fortune. I can’t imagine he gave it to her.”

  “I don’t know Lennon well, but Fiona says the same thing.”

  “Oh, is Miss Fiona here, too?”

  “Yes, she’s upstairs with Lennon and his doctor. He wasn’t supposed to leave the hospital. He’s still having trouble with his memory, and I think Kelly is taking advantage of that fact.”

  “Oh, she’s a sneaky snake. I wouldn’t put anything past her. Mr. Lennon needs to get that ring back before she pawns it.”

  “You do know her well, don’t you?”

  “I’ve worked for the Berkshire family for over twenty-five years. That woman weaseled her way into his life when he was in college. She was nice enough at first, but once she got her hooks into him, she changed. I was thrilled when they broke up and devastated when they got back together.”

  “Why do you think they got back together?”

  He picks up the coffee beans and pours some into a grinder. “Mr. Lennon doesn’t care for change. I think she was sniffing around Mr. Lennon when her boyfriend dumped her, and they began spending time with each other again.”

  “So, it wasn’t serious?”

  “Not that I was aware of, no.”

  I watch him pour the coffee grounds into a French press and pray for the water to boil quickly. I didn’t have my coffee this morning, and I’m starting to feel it.

  “Will you be taking him back to the hospital?”

  “No, he refuses to go back. He wants me to stay here and care for him at home. I think it will be good for his memory, but I think he should be in a hospital for a while longer. He had a seizure this morning. I think Kelly causes him stress, and that stress has severe side effects. Say, you wouldn’t happen to know how to change the code to unlock the doors and his safe, would you?”

  He looks at me with surprise and suspicion. “Oh, that sounded bad, didn’t it? I meant to keep Kelly out. I’m not trying to have access to the house or his safe.”

  His face relaxes, and the teapot begins to whistle. “Yes, I can do both.”

  “Fiona believes Kelly has stolen several things from the house.”

  “Mr. Lennon has been gone for days. I imagine she needed money.”

  “Doesn’t she work?”

  He chuckles and pours the water into the French press to steep. “No, that girl doesn’t know the meaning of work. She’s a professional leach.”

  “How about we work together, Callahan, to keep Kelly away from Lennon until he’s regained as much of his memory as possible?”

  “That would be my pleasure, Ms. Trinity.”

  I smile as he hands me a cup of the most tempting smelling coffee I’ve had in ages.

  I have another ally. Three against one, the odds are in my favor.

  9

  Lennon

  I hate doctors, they’re always telling you what to eat, how much to exercise, don’t get out of bed, don’t get stressed out, work on your memories but don’t do it too much or your brain will explode. Dr. Carmichael stresses me out and makes my brain hurt. I told him so, and he got mad and left. Good riddance. All I need is my angel, Trinity. I trust her. I need her in my life. I want her in my bed.

  “What did you say to Dr. Carmichael?” Trinity asks, entering the bedroom carrying a tray with coffee and breakfast.

  “I don’t remember,” I lie, and she rolls her eyes.

  “Don’t play that bloody game with me, mister. I know him. He’s difficult to upset, and you did a great job of it.”

  “I told him to stuff his advice up his ass and bring me my angel.”

  She stops in her tracks and gasps. “You didn’t.”

  “No, I didn’t. I told him under no circumstances am I going back to his ICU, and if he wants to continue to treat me, he will have to come here.”

  “He’s a busy man, Lennon. That’s asking a lot.”

  “If he wants to be my doctor, he will go out of his way to do it. If he doesn’t, I’ll find someone who will. I want to be here. It’s helping me remember things. For instance, I remembered when he was shining that stupid light of his into my eyes that I love the sun and the beach. I also remembered that there’s a hidden hallway behind that bookcase there. You have to pull the C.S. Lewis book entitled Miracles to open it. Go ahead, give it a try,” he says, pointing at the bookcase across the room.

  She places the tray with the food on my lap and crosses the room. She lays her hand on the book and looks back at me to see if I’m pulling her leg. I’m not, I really did remember it.

  She pulls the book as if she’s taking it off the shelf, and the entire bookcase slides away revealing a lighted hallway. “Bloody hell, you’re right. Where does it go?”

  “That I don’t know. We should go exploring sometime.”

  She closes the secret door and crosses the room, grabbing a wingback chair and scooting it to the edge of my bed. She sits and takes her coffee from the tray and drinks.

  She likes, no she loves, coffee. Noted. Apparently, I’m filthy rich, which means I’ll be ordering her a top-of-the-line coffeemaker for her home. “You like coffee,” I say.

  “I do, very much.”

  “I thought Brits were supposed to like tea.”

  “I know a lot who do, but I prefer a dark espresso over weak tea any day.”

  I take a drink of the coffee and remember that I too am a coffee connoisseur. “I like it, too.”

  “Good, do you remember anything else you like? I could cook dinner for you tonight. Unless you’d rather have Callahan make you something.”

  Callahan, that name rings bells all over the place, but I want Trinity to stick around tonight. “No, no, you can cook. I think something on the grill would be nice.”

  “Do you remember Callahan?” she asks.

  “The name sounds familiar, yes.”

  “He’s your chef, he’s been with your family for over twenty-five years.”

  “Yes, yes, now I remember him. Older man with gray hair and very fit.”

  “I wouldn’t call him gray yet, salt and pepper maybe, but yes, he’s in good shape.”

  I look down at the plate in front of me—a bagel with a side of cream cheese, an omelet with cheese and red peppers, and cantaloupe chunks. All of it smells delicious.

  She notices me eyeing my food. “He said this is one of your favorite breakfasts.”

  “I don’t remember, but it all smells good, so I’m sure he’s right.” I look for a second plate for her, but there isn’t one. “You’re not hungry?”

  “I don’t usually eat big breakfasts. Coffee is good enough.”

  “Nonsense, I’ll share with you. You can’t run around on a cup of coffee all day.”

  “It’s usually a pot, not a cup, and I have to go home for a while today. I can grab
something then. I have a cat who will promptly shred my couch if I don’t show up with food, and I didn’t take time to shower this morning.”

  I don’t like the sounds of that. I want her to stay here with me. What am I going to do in this big, stuffy old house alone? “We can send for your cat, and you’re welcome to shower here.”

  She is quiet for a moment. “Lennon, are you expecting me to live here with you while I’m taking care of you?”

  “It would make the job much easier, don’t you think?”

  “Well, yes, but I have responsibilities and a life outside of work.”

  “You’d be free to come and go as you please. Your cat can live here, too. I would be more comfortable knowing you’re close by in case something like this morning happens again.” There, that ought to do it. No way would any good nurse risk her patient’s well-being, and Trinity is a good nurse.

  “I’ll admit the thought of you alone here having a seizure makes me nervous.”

  “Then it’s settled, you can go home, pack, grab your cat, and be back by dinner.”

  “What about you? You’ll be alone while I’m gone.”

  “Where did Fiona go off to?”

  “She went home. I don’t think she works today. Maybe she would come for a bit while I go home?”

  “I don’t like having a babysitter.”

  “Well, I can go home, and you can go back to the hospital where there’s a staff to take care of you twenty-four-seven.”

  “No, I’d rather have a babysitter.”

  “I thought you’d see it my way. So, how about we get to know you a little?”

  I snort. “And how do you suppose we do that?”

  “You must have photo albums around here somewhere. And if you’re up to it later, we could explore the castle.”

  “Do I live in a castle?”

  “I’m being sarcastic, but it does remind me of how a castle would look on the inside. Except for your kitchen, that area is much more modern and brighter.”

  “Brighter?”

  She wrinkles her forehead. “Your house is…”

  “Is what?”

  “Nothing, it’s just not my style, that’s all.”

  “Is the kitchen your style?”

  “Oh, yes, it’s gorgeous. It doesn’t match the rest of the house at all, the parts I’ve seen, anyway.”