Page 2 of Separated from My Love
“Thanks,” Genevieve said. “But I’m no longer interested. If it’s all right with you, can Aubriella remain here with me for the night? I don’t plan on being here long, but it’s getting late totravel.”
“Stay as long as you like,” he said diplomatically. “You’re always welcome. Now I must depart or I’ll never make it on time.” He nodded to them and turned to leave. The doorclickingshut to let them know hewasgone.
“Care to tell me what he wasreallythinking?” Aubriella said. “His expression belied his offer ofhospitality.”
Genevieve laughed lightly, “I try to refrain from listening to his thoughts. They can get rather dark. Besides I have other things on my mind—Trenton’s lack of attentionoflate.”
“I’m sorry,” Aubriella said. “Trenton does love you. He’s just… His priorities are skewed right now.” She pulled Genevieve’s arm and guided her to the settee. “Sit and tell me what is going onwithyou.”
Genevieve sat down but stopped listening to her cousin. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces. Trenton didn’t love her enough. Aubriella was right in her assessment, but wrong too. Trenton knew what his priorities were, and unfortunately she wasn’t even close to the top of that list. He called his stepbrother and let him know he was running late. But her? No, she didn’t even rate a text message. What did that say about her importance to Trenton? To think she thought Trenton was her one true love and they’d spend the rest of their lives together. How wrong could she possiblyhavebeen?
“Are you listening to me?” Aubriella snapped her fingers in front of Genevieve’s eyes. “Don’t go to whatever dark place is inside that head of yours. It’s not as bad as you’re making it outtobe.”
Genevieve sighed heavily. “Take my mind offofit.”
“For what I have in mind we need alcohol. Wine isn’t strong enough. Bradford has to have brandy somewhere in thismausoleum.”
“He keeps the best stuff in his study,” she said. “Follow me.” Genevieve stood and headed out of the room. Aubriella was on her heels. They went down several hallways and turned as many times until they reached the duke’s study. She opened a cabinet and rolled out a minibar. It had more than brandy on it. Whatever poison a person chose to drink, Bradford had it in supply. “What will it be?” Genevieve raised a brow. “Brandy, rum, vodka, ortequila?”
“I say…” She leaned against her. “We try allofthem.”
Genevieve stared at the decanters. “But which one should westartwith.”
“Surprise me,” Aubriella suggested. “In the end, it won’tmatter.”
Good point. So she grabbed one and poured them each a glass. The night was young and anything was possible. Though she was feeling mean enough to make sure she was drunk before the endofit.
Ignore her? Trenton would rue the day he ever did something so foolish. When she was good and ready, she’d make him feel the brunt of her wrath. In the meantime, she’d have a nice girl’s night with Aubriella and erase her pain with all of Bradford’s nice alcohol. He had said to make themselvesathome…
* * *
Trenton pulled at his tie.The day hadn’t gone well at all. He still didn’t understand why he bothered. He hated business and especially the company his father had built. The old man didn’t ask much of him though. So when he’d approached him for help—he’d felt obligated. Someone had embezzled a lot of money from the company, and Trenton’s particular skill set was designed to ferret out the man. He had a head for numbers and cataloging unique information. If there was something out of place, he would be the first person to recognize it. That made him a good asset to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. He took a sabbatical from the NFIB to help his father out and hopefully catch theculprit.
Most people didn’t realize what he did or how he played a part in catching criminals. Only his close family members were aware of it. He wanted to tell Genevieve, but he was sworn to secrecy for now. If they married, he could tell her, and it was something he hoped to one day do. He had planned on proposing before the mess with his father’s company arose. He hated disappointing her. She was the love of his life. Genevieve was his everything, and he wanted to make all of her dreamscometrue.
That was why he’d bought the tickets to the fundraiser at Seabrook Manor. He wanted to give her everything. She was special and should always feel that way. Unfortunately, he was making so many mistakes, and her smiles were showing up less frequently. He was a complete and total ass. Somehow, he’d have to find a way to make it up to her. In the end, they’d have it all. A lifetime of love and laughter—that is if they made it through their current bump intheroad.
He’d driven like a mad man to get back to Weston Manor and take her to Seabrook. The closer he got to his stepbrother’s estate it became clear it wasn’t happening. Trenton prayed Genevieve would forgive him. She’d had a lot to forgive over the past year. He was close to finding out who was stealing from his father though. She had to be patient a little longer, and then he could tell hereverything.
Trenton pulled into the driveway and parked his car. He slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a velvet box. With a quick gesture, he flipped open the lid and stared down at the diamond solitaire ring nestled inside. Soon he’d get down on bended knee and ask her to be his forever. Sadly, that night wouldn’t be this one. He closed it and put it back into his pocket where he carried it around with him at all times. It was his way of making sure he had it with him if the opportunity finally presenteditself.
Genevieve was going to be pissed off at him. This wasn’t the first time he bailed on plans they’d made. He kept waiting for her to leave him. As much as it would hurt if she did, he couldn’t blame her… It was time to face her and grovel at her feet. He pushed open the car door and headed inside. The sounds of female laughter greeted him once he walked in thehouse.
“Eve?” hecalledout.
More laughter echoed through the house. What was she doing? He moved down the hall until he was outside of Bradford’s study? Giggling filled the room, and it was then he realized Genevieve wasn’t alone. He pushed the door open and found Aubriella and Genevieve rolling on the floor. Two empty decanters lying next to them. They each had a half full one in their hands. How much had they had to drink? He prayed Bradford hadn’t kept all his alcohol fully stockedforonce.
“Oh, look who finally decided to make an appearance,” Genevieve said. She blew out a breath and pushed her auburn locks away from her ice blue eyes. Her gaze seemed to look right through him. “My prince,” she declared and then lifted the bottle and saluted him. “This one’s for you.” She guzzled the amber liquid straight from thebottle.
“I told you he’d come,” Aubriella said. She pinned a strand of her rose-gold hair behind her ear. “Better late thannever.”
Genevieve turned and glaredather.
“Hey, it could be worse. You could have my two stepsisters andstepmomster.”
“Peyton and Serenity aren’t that bad,” Genevieve said and then hiccupped. “Though you have me on thestepmomsterpart.”
Trenton rubbed his temples. It could be worse, but he was at a loss as to how. He had to help them both up to bed. Neither one was in any condition to do itthemselves.
