Page 55 of Secret Bet
Chapter16
The limo broughtthem over a bridge and onto an island where the streets were lined with palm trees. Belle gazed out the window, unsure where she was. A sign read that all the property was private except the road. She swallowed. Her neighborhood in DC was exclusive, butnothing like this. They drove past the back of a mansion on the road and then a few houses and then anothermansion.
To avoid the scenery, she turned toward Peter and asked, "How come the mansions are all facing away fromtheroad?"
"The houses are built to enjoy our views of Biscayne Bay and downtownMiami."
This was larger than his brother's place where he had held the party,and far more opulent. The limo stopped on the street near the back of the house. She crossed her arms as she scooted out. The mansion was multiple floors, and she could see a chandelier inside through thewindow.
She shook her head. "If you live here, why didn't you host the rehearsaldinner?"
He shrugged. "My sister was marrying Colt. She wanted the wedding closer to Homestead andin a place that wouldn't overwhelm half herguests."
This had been a mistake. She should have gone to the hotel, not agreed to hearhimout.
As he held the door for her, and she stepped into the white marble entrance way, she gulped. The other day, she'd have left the moment she stepped inside. Now she folded her hands together and gazed at that gorgeous golden chandelier that tookcenter stage intheroom.
"Iunderstand."
"It's just a house, but it was built in a time when families intended to show off their homes." The Great Gatsby had nothing on PeterMorgan'shome.
"Did you buy thisyourself?"
"No, this was my family home. Iinherited."
"Of courseitwas."
The carvings on the walls were hand painted. She swallowed as she staredat the portraits on the wall and the ceramics. This was not a place for children. He didn't seem to notice that her mouthwasopen.
"You'll like the view. Perhaps we can have dinner on the patio after I show you thegrounds?"
“Sounds nice.” She tried to blink. This was too much. "We came here because you said you wantedtotalk."
He threw open the double doors of the frontand let the sunshine inside. She covered her eyes and stepped forward to take his offered hand as he said, "I definitely want that, but I'm hoping we can include dinnerstill."
"I suppose, but your houseintimidates."
He tisked as if he didn't see the connection. "It's only twelve bedrooms. Dad always complained that us children made too much noise and disturbed his guests in theotherwing."
Her apartment had two bedrooms, and that was enough. He then pointed toward the Miami skyline that shone over the water. She stepped closer to him and smelled his woodsy scent. She almost lost track of the conversation, but massagedherneck.
"He didn't bring you to meet every one of his guests and explain why he needed them entertained in hishouse?"
"Of coursehe did. I was always delegated to be his right hand. Most of the people invited to stay with us soon lost everything as Dad targeted their financial interests. He claimed the house visits were the guests' way of making up for some slight, but no one ever smoothed things over with MitchMorgan."
"So I am not the only oneintimidatedhere."
He opened another door and held it for her.She pressed her lips and followed. She stepped intotheroom.
"And you?" she asked. "If crossed, can you besmoothedover?"
"In business, notlikely."
"And in yourprivatelife?"
"I don't have one. Now that my brother and sister are back, they expect me to be part of a family. It's strangeforme."
They were in a living room of sorts. Her feet ached in her newheels, but she didn't say anything. She took his hand and brought her to the couch. He followed her direction and sat. Shejoinedhim.
