“Well, that certainly is no way to answer your mother.” The voice was sharp and thick, sending recognition coursing through every vein in my body as I let out a heavy sigh.

“Mom, how are you?” My voice was much calmer.

“You know, if you really did care how I’m doing, you’d stop by the house to check every now and then. It’s not like we live in different cities.”

“Mom, you know how busy these past couple of days have been. I’m trying to expand and—”

“Yes, yes, your work, which you cherish more than the woman who birthed you, I’m aware.”

I rolled my eyes as I sighed. “I’ll come see you as soon as I return tomorrow.”

“Good then. You leave for New York in about twenty minutes, yes?”

“How did you—”

“That corporation was your father’s and then mine long before it was yours, honey. I know everything that’s going on in there down to the minutest details. Plus, you’re my son, although you seem to forget most times.”

I heaved another sigh. Mrs. Nina Steele was definitely a force to be reckoned with. “Well, if that’s the case, then you know I’m already on my way to the airport.”

“Well, yes, I do need you to tell me things like this sometimes. I need to know when my son’s leaving my jurisdiction.”

I scoffed. She knew every detail about movements yet still wanted me to inform her. “Mother, once again, I’m very busy.”

The line fell silent. Inhaling deeply, I looked through the darkened window on my right. The car was speeding over a bridge, and I could see the beautiful body of water beneath us. I reminisced about when I was a little boy, rolling my window down quickly and leaning out as I peered at the glossy waves that moved in calm torrents.

“Is there something you’d like me to get you?”

“Well, yes. Actually, it’s someone, and I want you to meet her, your aunt Margaret.”

I groaned internally. Aunt Margaret was my father’s first sister—a brute with words and terrible pain in the ass. My mom didn’t like her either, but recently, they’d joined alliances to set up blind dates for me each chance they got.

At first, it was amusing. Aunt Margaret was in surplus ofeligible femalesas she fancied herself some sort of matchmaker. All I had to do was show up on our date and let my charms do the work. Talking them into sleeping with me was like child’s play. And by morning, I’d be long gone.

My mother always considered women who were easy to lure to bed uncouth and unworthy of her son, regardless of their status, background, or even her prior approval of them.

At first, Aunt Margaret couldn’t understand why my mother always asked her to cancel any other plans made for the girls she brought. However, my mother refrained from disclosing the true reason out of respect for a woman’s dignity.

Aunt Margaret eventually figured it out. I became aware of it after the fifth person I propositioned to bed politely turned me down, using the exact same words as the others, as if they were following a script.

So, imagine my happiness when I found out Aunt Margaret was moving out of the country after her retirement. The two women actually thought they could overcome their geographical barrier and continue their little charade.

I knew it was only a matter of time before their efforts would dwindle and eventually subside, and it did. I’d almost even forgotten about those days—well, until a minute ago.

“Why, Mother?” I asked, exhaustion trailing my voice.

“What on earth do you mean why? She’s your aunt, and you both share fond memories of each other since your dad’s passing. She misses you and would be thrilled to see you,” she said in a singsong voice, but I was familiar with her game.

“So you mean to tell me that this isn’t some front to get me on a fancy restaurant table with a girl I’ve never met before.”

“Well, I don’t know the full details of her reason for wanting to see you. All I know is that she’s expecting you, and youwillbe there because I told her you would.”

“Mother, I doubt that I have the time.”

“Well, make it then. I’ll send you her address through text. See you tomorrow, honey,” she said, and I heard the click as the line fell flat.

“Hello? Mother, I—” I slammed the phone on the seat beside me, groaning. I felt the car pull to a slow halt, and I looked through the window to see the busy entrance of the airport.

“We’re here, sir,” Derek said, and I turned to meet his eyes staring at me in the rearview mirror.