Page 37 of Adored By Them
A series of bright lights and loudboomsfills the night—a celebration of what we’ve just done.
* * *
Edmund
I’m actually somewhat nervous when I drive Troy’s truck up to Rendsell.He stayed behind at the apartment with Danica, lucky bastard, while I get to negotiate our freedom from my family.
Arky comes bolting down to the kitchen as soon as I step inside.He slobbers all over my hands as I try to pet him.
“I’ve missed you, buddy.”I kneel down to look him in the eye.“You’re the best person in this place, aren’t you?”
His tongue lolls to the side and he gives me a goofy look of adoration.I fucking love this dog.
“Edmund.”My grandfather steps into the kitchen.“This is a surprise.”
“Sorry for not giving you notice, but I came to talk to you and my father, if you’re free.”
“Of course.”He gives me a sidelong glance.“Is everything well with your Danica?”
“She’s recovering from the ordeal.”
“Glad to hear it.Let’s go to your father’s office.He’s already working, of course.”He leans toward me and lowers his voice.“He’s angry with me, in a right strop.After hearing what Caleb did, I offered Cece five hundred K to disappear.”
“And?”
His blue eyes twinkle.“And she took it.Best not to bring up her or Caleb this morning.”
“Understood.”Damn.My father’s only feelings seem reserved for the occasional mistress, and he’s kept Cece around longer than most.No wonder he’s angry with my grandfather.
We go upstairs to my father’s office.The door is open, so I knock on the frame.Grandfather, of course, steps right in without knocking.
“Edmund.Father.”My father looks up from his computer.“To what do I owe the pleasure?Do we have news on the Vorsongs?”
“Not much news.”I stop short of his desk.I don’t bother sitting down—not that he invited me to.Arky remains at my side.“Nothing has happened yet.Their shipment is supposed to come in tonight.Grinnote promises to keep us posted.I paid him an early visit this morning.”
“Be sure to keep me in the loop.”
“Of course.”I pause, on the brink of blurting everything out.
“Is there something else?”my grandfather asks.
I turn slightly so I can face them both at once.“I want out of the family business.The crime part, anyway.”
They stare.
“Edmund,” Grandfather says, “are you certain?You could always come back, of course, but this seems rather sudden.”
“I’m certain.It’s been on my mind for a while now.”
“Since you met Danica Montrose,” my father says with a sneer.
“Maybe it’s just the right thing for me to do.”I shrug.It’s absolutely because of Danica.But I’m not going to admit it and give him a reason to resent her.
My father looks like he’s biting back a swear word or ten.“If you leave, who will take over your responsibilities?”
“I don’t know, maybe my cousin?”
He frowns.“Kendra…?”
