Page 33 of If You Were Mine
“Done with you? Deal.” Dorian reached for my hand once again, and Melanie whirled on her boots and stomped outside.
Aston slammed the door behind her before he pulled out his phone.
“I’m going to make sure security escorts her out of town.”
I blinked. “You have security?”
Hudson cleared his throat. “Ford owns a company. And we have someone here in Cage Lake because we’ve had a few incidents.”
I held back a shudder, remembering those incidents. Since Isabella leaned into Weston, I had a feeling she did too.
Sophia ran down the stairs and into Cale’s open arms.
“She didn’t even ask about you guys. Didn’t even ask about the babies. I know she’s not their real grandmother. But I don’t know, it just feels weird.”
I rubbed my temples. “For a few moments earlier, I had to remind myself that she wasn’t actually their grandmother.” I shook my head. “Sorry. Not my business.”
Dorian squeezed my hand again, and I was grateful he hadn’t let go. “We’re a confusing family. But hell, I talk to Constance more than I do my own mom.”
“I do love Constance,” Blakely said with a smile. As she had known that side of the family longer than she had known Aston, it made sense.
“Mom has really stepped up to the plate recently. And though we butt heads, she’s a great grandmother,” Isabella said as she reached for Sophia’s hand.
“She’s an amazing grandmother. And I do know that once she hears about Ford’s upcoming baby, she’ll be knitting for that one too. So while Grandmother Melanie will never be a thing in my eyes, I suppose Constance gets a whole slew.”
Dorian let go of my hand, and I immediately felt the cold, but when he rubbed the back of his neck, I realized that he had something going on in that brain of his that he wasn’t telling anyone else.
“Ford would appreciate that.” Dorian sighed. “Sorry for her following me up here. I keep ignoring her calls and she doesn’t care.”
“Mom’s a bitch. And I cannot believe I said that out loud because I don’t ever use that word unless I’m talking about you,” Ford said as he winked at Dorian.
Dorian flipped off his brother, and the light chuckle that filled the room eased some of the tension.
“She’s not welcome in any of my homes, and we’ll make sure she stays away. Now,” Aston said as he gave his brother a look, “are you to tell us what that underlying tension was between you two, Dorian?”
“You know how she acts like I’m her favorite. Used to be cute when we were kids, till I realized that she was insane.” He tried to laugh it off, but nobody in this room truly believed him.
Instead, Blakely forced us all into the dining room, where we sat down and ate our dinner. I sat between Cale and Dorian and tried to pay attention. They spoke of upcoming work and when the next dinner would be. I had a feeling Dorian and the others wouldn’t be part of it. Since I knew that Aston and Isabella had been part of so many recently, maybe it was time for the other Cages to step up.
Or maybe it was none of my business.
“Are you doing okay?”
I turned to Cale and smiled softly. “I am. Thanks for asking. How about you?”
He shrugged, though there was concern in his eyes. “I’m fine. I don’t really know that woman. But what she said to you? That was bullshit.”
“Did The Cale just curse?” Dorian asked as he sipped his water. “I’m shocked.”
The other man winked. “I do it sparingly just to surprise you.”
“As long as you don’t curse in front of the babies,” Sophia said, her eyes dancing.
Cale took her hand and kissed the back of it, and I couldn’t help but hold back a sigh.
I was jealous, and I hated that.
“But what Cale was saying is right.” Dorian whispered. “I’ll never forgive her for what she said to you.”
