Chapter Twenty-Seven
 
 Jaxon
 
 Fuck!This wasnothappening.
 
 I grabbed the first sweater and pair of slacks my hands touched in my closet and threw them on. What the fuck did my parents think they were doing? My relationship with them had all but turned to dust once they found out my grandfather left the estate and all his wealth to me. He left my parents nothing. After the scene they caused following my grandfather’s funeral and the reading of his will, I told them never to return.
 
 Just knowing they were close caused the hateful, venomous words they spewed at me to run on a continuous loop in my head. They were greedy sons of bitches and could go to hell for all I cared. Striding back into my bedroom, my vision cleared from the red haze that covered it. Lily laid on my bed, looking stunned.
 
 “Lily, I’m sorry.” I ran a hand through my hair. “They—” I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want them to see Lily. They tainted everything they touched.
 
 “Jaxon, what’s going on?” I hated the uncertain look that settled on her face, especially knowing my current state of mind and behavior caused it. Lily was the bright spot of my day, of my life, if I was being honest. I needed to keep it that way, and make sure she stayed far away from my parents or else they’d destroy what we had.
 
 I now regretted letting most of the staff take the summer off. There was no way Paul and Angela could stop my parents on their own if they were determined to come here.
 
 My phone sat on my nightstand, mocking me. I’d turned off the ringer when we started watching the movie, not wanting to be disturbed.
 
 I grabbed it regretting my choice now. Fifty messages from Jessamine.Fuck.The blood drained from my head as I read a handful of them.
 
 Jessamine: Fuck, dude. PICK UP! It’s your parents. The pieces of shit have sent out an open invitation to their next party. At your house!
 
 Jessamine: I’m on my way with my parents. They expect me to be there because of our relationship.
 
 Jessamine: Jax answer me. Our helicopter should be there any minute. You need to tell your girl about us.
 
 I tapped out a message, anger punctuating each letter.
 
 Me: How long before you’re here?
 
 Jessamine: We’re here.
 
 “Shit,” I grumbled under my breath.
 
 I shoved the phone into my back pocket and strode to the door. Opening it, Ms. Ketill’s worried expression hit me. She’d always hated she couldn’t shield me from them. “Where are they?”
 
 “They’ve claimed the West wing. No matter how many times Paul and I told them no, they refused to listen.”
 
 I’d put them in the damn attic if I could. The only thing stopping me from doing that was the priceless antiques I knew they would steal before they left.
 
 “Paul is settling Jessamine and her parents in the Arabian Nights Suite.”