Page 14 of Separated from My Love
“I hope so.” They didn’t exactly have a lot of time though if she was going to insist on marrying Branterberry. “How am I going to stop thatwedding?”
Serenity smiled. “I might be able to helpwiththat.”
Perhaps he’d been wrong about his earlier assessment concerning the sparks between her and Branterberry. Did she realize he was drawn to her? “What do you haveinmind?”
“I’m going to make friends with little Sebastian.” She grinned. “He’s the key to winning the duke over. That boy is the one thing that man cares about. I’m going to ruffle his feathers a little bit and see how helikesit.”
That might be amusing to watch. Serenity might have a lion tamer gene or two in her. The duke wasn’t going to realize what hit him. “I’m not sure bringing a little boy into our skirmish is agoodidea.”
“I’m not going to abuse him,” she said, offended. She flinched as if he’d slapped her. “What kind of person do you thinkIam?”
“Still…” Kids were to be cherished. They were not tools of revenge or needling angry dukes. “Isn’t thereanotherway?”
“It’s the first step. It will gain his attention.” She winked. “Trustme.”
Trenton wanted to. God, he really did, but he didn’t know Serenity that well. She showed up in his hour of need and made it possible for him to find Genevieve. He owed her a lot. Perhaps it was time to give her a little morefaith.
“If you say it’s the only way, I’ll give you the roomtowork.”
“Good,” she said. “Because I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. The duke is—different.”
What did she mean by that? What had she said to him when they first met? “You said you see all of him. What exactly doesthatmean?”
She shook her head. “I’m not giving away his secrets.” She got a faraway look in her eyes. “But he’s been through a lot. He carries a lot of pain and angerinhim.”
Trenton could relate to that. Those very things were etched into his soul. Losing the woman he loved had changed him in ways he couldn’t describe. It had made him stronger and easier to break at the same time. If Genevieve continued to refuse him, he might not make it back to his life in the future. He’d lose himself in the past and not look forward ever again. They strolled down the hall and entered the duke’s study again. He gestured for Serenity to sit down. If she stayed standing much longer he was afraid she’d fall into a heap on the floor. He didn’t think she’d like the vulnerability that position would leave her in. Trenton sat down next to her so she wouldn’t realize how worried he wasabouther.
“Thank you for helping me.” Trenton leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You didn’t have to, and I’ve been an ass to you since you arrived at WestonManor.”
She smiled. “It’s nothing more than I expected. Don’t give up on her. This all is happening for a reason. Fate is fickle and likes to mess with our lives, but in the end we all find where webelong.”
Trenton glanced up when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Genevieve strolled into the study and glared at both of them. Was she perhaps jealous? Would that be too much tohopefor?
“Aren’t you two awfully cozy,” Genevieve said. “Glad to see I really mean that muchtoyou.”
Trenton closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyelids fluttered open and he met Genevieve’s gaze. Damn her for being so difficult. She was so bloody beautiful. He wanted to run his fingers through her auburn tresses and claim her mouth again. She’d probably slap him this time. Her ice blue eyes were as bright as a blue flame. Her cheeks were flushed a bright pink, and her hands were rounded into fists at her sides. She must have seen him kiss Serenity’s cheek and misinterpreted it. It was unfortunate, but he’d use it to his advantage. He took it as a sign that she cared more than she was willing toleton.
“It took a lot out of Serenity to bring me here to find you.” He stood and then moved toward Genevieve. “She didn’t have to help me, and its simply appropriate I thank her.” He lifted his hand and caressed Eve’s cheek. “Even if you are being anungratefulbrat.”
Her mouth fell open as her breathing became ragged. “You’reanass.”
“But on point about your attitude,” he rebutted. “Have a little compassion for Serenity. She’s your family,isn’tshe?”
“Not any blood relation,” Genevieve stated, “I don’t have to claim her because my uncle married hermother.”
Trenton frowned. When had she become so bitter and uncaring? This wasn’t the Genevieve her remembered. What had she endured to harden her so much? He wished he could take it all back and have the woman he’d fallen in love with so many years ago. Life had a way of changing a person in ways that were unrecognizable. Still he could see remnants of the woman he loved underneath the hard exterior. She was still there, but he just had to find a way to bringherout.
“We’re more related than you realize,” Serenity said quietly. “I have more than onesister.”
“What are you implying,” Trenton asked? HeknewSerenity had ulterior motives for helping him. What was she uptonow?
“Genevieve is actually my sister. My mother agreed to be a surrogate for Genevieve’s parents. Her mother couldn’t have children.” She stood and started to pace the room. “I know this is a lot to take in. I wouldn’t know any of this if not for one of Peyton’s visions. The last one nearly destroyed her. She can’t seem to get enough sleep to replenish herenergy.”
“I don’t have a sister. I don’t care what one of Peyton’s visions suggest,” Genevieve said forcefully. “What nonsense are you talkingabout?”
Shit. The two women appeared ready to come toblows...
“Surprise,” Serenity said waving her hands in exaggerated excitement. “You actually have two.” She met Genevieve’s gaze. “Just what you always wished for,isn’tit?”
