Page 60 of The Writer
“How are you, darling?”
“Fine.”
“Lovely.” She turns to look at Blake again, eventually managing to link her arm through his and lead him off towards the dining room for breakfast. “I believe I have you to thank for rescuing the situation, Blake.”
“I just made sure Ivy was safe, Mrs Broderick.”
“How very formal. I think we can use first name terms if—”
“Ivy,” Father says, cutting off the pleasantries as we arrive in the dining room. He moves quickly, grabbing my shoulders and looking me over. “You’re well?”
“Short of being kidnapped, having my face punched, and slashing my knee, yes.”
“Good.” He looks edgy, his fingers pinching into me, as if checking I’m actually here. I stare in reply, not sure what he’s attempting to do. “And this is the man who rescued you?” he says, looking at Blake with Mother by the coffee.
“Yes, Father. Blake Rhodes. And he’s not just a hero. He happens to be with me. Partner.” He doesn’t say anything, but I can see his face morph into a typically disapproving gaze. “And you can stop that immediately. I won’t be bullied into choices on your whims, Father. He’s probably the best man I’ve ever met.”
Letting go of me, he coughs, as if covering his response. Good. It likely wasn’t a pleasant one, and the last thing I need is more arguments. “Do I need to introduce you?” I ask.
“Yes, if you must. I should thank him at least.”
I move us over to the other side of the room, ready to get this bit out of the way before the interviews start and I get Father on his own, but Willow suddenly enters the dining room. She stops and surveys the scene, her body hovering, as if she’s completely out of her comfort zone. Landon appears behind her and ushers her forward to the table, pulling a chair out for her. He glares at just about everyone, but finally lands on Father next to me, as if daring him to object.
I smirk. Considering the two newbies in this room, both of whom are important enough for both me and Landon to show them off. I wait to see how Daddy dearest is going to play this out. Eruptions of temper wouldn't be unusual, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up in a shouting match, but no. He walks over to Mother instead, introducing himself to Blake before sitting him at the table next to his place at the head. It’s a start. Willow will have a much tougher time, and because of that, I want to make sure she’s as welcomed as possible. I wave my fingers to beckon her over next to me, nodding at Landon as he smiles a little at my offer.
“DCI Jenkins will wait until you’ve both had breakfast,” Landon says. “Blake, you’ll be interviewed first. He’s currently in the library having coffee and looking through my law collection.” Both our phones get put on the table, mine slid towards me. “They found these on the assailants’ bodies. You're free to have them back now.”
He sits opposite Blake, presumably so they can discuss the situation like big men do at the table, leaving the little ladies to talk about shopping or some crap of zero importance to me. Thankfully, Sophiewalks in once we’re all settled and takes the breakfast orders, and after twenty minutes, we’re all eating and chatting reasonably amicably about anything except the kidnapping or my face.
“I’m surprised you’re still here,” I say to Willow quietly.
“Oh god, don’t. I tried to make Landon let me leave, but he wouldn’t have it. Said I had to stay in the guest suite.”
“The guest suite?”
“Obviously. That’s what guests do.”
“Mine didn’t. Mine stayed in my bed.”
She frowns and takes a small bite of her bacon, sipping her coffee the moment she’s swallowed it. “But you’re a couple, Ivy.” She isn’t fooling anyone. Especially with that emerald-green band on her finger. It might not be a solitaire diamond, but I’d bet it’s from Landon.
“And so are you two. Get arsey with him, Willow.” Her eyes widen. “Good god, you can’t tell me he doesn’t like it when you are. He’d never be with anyone without a severe amount of bite. Must be what he likes about you.” I glance over her perfect body and her perfect face. “Apart from the obvious, anyway.”
She doesn’t say anything. She just keeps sipping her coffee, avoiding committing to anything regarding them as a couple. I’m not surprised. He’s probably put some ultimatum down, ensured she doesn’t say a word about anything until he’s ready to acknowledge his own feelings. What is surprising is that someone like her, someone as astute and clearly beautiful, would agree to those terms.
“Right, better get this over with then,” Blake says, pulling my attention.
He stands and drops his napkin on the table, smiling at me. Mother gets up at the same time, apparently ready to lead him through to the library, so quickly I barely get a chance to smile in return. My stomach bottoms out the moment he leaves the room, and I stare at Landon for some kind of reassurance. He smiles towards both me and Willow, then stands and rubs his hand on my shoulder as he follows Blake out.
“Oh god,” I mutter frowning. “What if Landon can’t get him off?”
“Everything will be okay, Ivy. Landon will make sure it’s all fine. He always does.” Her smile is genuine and surprisingly reassuring. Yes. Of course, he will. Blake’s not even been charged with anything, yet. She’s right. That’s what Landon does, what he’s always done one way or another.
I look to Father at that thought, wondering why he couldn’t have been a little more like his son on occasion. Maybe then our childhood would have been a little more …
“I have to go to the Houses of Parliament this morning to—”
“Oh no, you don’t,” I cut in, moving to get in his way. He halts his momentum, a sharp glare directed at me. Tough. Not this time. “I have questions. You are not getting out of them again. And you can keep your temper out of this. What is the issue with the Foxtons?”
