Page 55 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
D
A gasp caught my attention,so I looked up to find Julian staring at me. I quickly shut the notebook and put it aside, hoping he didn’t read any of it. In seconds, I realized his attention wasn’t on the book at all, rather my cheek and the ice sitting next to me on the side table. I’d gotten so distracted reading, I had forgotten about them.
“I got hit,” I explained, but tried to keep my voice down.
“You got hit?” Julian shouted.
Jeremy jerked up on the couch, rolling to his knees fast as if preparing to attack an unseen foe.
“What’s wrong?” Phoenix groaned and lifted his head, his eyes barely visible through slits. Barrett ran into the room, shirtless. My eyes widened, enjoying the view of all that carved masculine flesh before my gaze tracked up to see his shocked expression. After one look at me, he also shouted, “What happened?”
Julian rounded on him, swiveling between him and me as if not sure which way to go. “She got hit? Did you get her in trouble? Did your aunt do this to you? I’m going up there if she did this.”
“No,” I explained and shook my head fast. The jerky motion sent a wave of pain down my neck and nausea churning in my stomach, but I continued, “I wanted to buy you all some bagels this morning. You’ve all been so nice to me. Anyway, Phoenixbought the bagels in the kitchen after a man on the street hit me accidently. It turned out to be that same guy you saw last night, Barrett. I think I also spotted him in the jazz club. Regardless of where he was from, Phoenix found me on the ground crying after he hit me then your brother rescued me.”
Phoenix laughed. “Oh, I do like that word, Red.Rescue. Sure, we’ll say that’s what I did. I’ve never rescued anyone before, so at least it is novel. We chased the bastard down on my skateboard. Once we caught him, we found out he’s an investigator stalking her for her family.”
I nodded then rose, needing to move. “Right. We questioned him after Phoenix caught him over and held him down with his skateboard.” I still found that part pretty cool, actually. I glanced at Phoenix, and for a moment, it was like something passed between us. A knowing, maybe, or a remembering? I couldn’t be sure, but we seemed connected for a second. “Then he confessed he worked for my family.”
“There might be video of that interaction.” Phoenix stood up from the couch, raking a hand through his hair before he took something out of his pocket. I caught a brief glimpse of a pill before it vanished between his lips.What did he just take?He only slept maybe half an hour, which wasn’t enough, but he didn’t ask for my opinion, so I didn’t share it.Not my business by a long shot.Phoenix added, “I called Dad, and he put the fear of god into the guy, I think. Hopefully he’s done following her, but it won’t stop them from hiring someone else.”
I tilted my head, since I wasn’t sure the guy would be gone so easily. Despite his incompetence, something about him made me think he would be back.
Barrett stared at his brother, his expression surprised. “You called Dad?”
“Sure. Kit Lent is a powerful man, the right one to call in that circumstance. By the way, we have to go home tonight. He demanded it, all four of us, tonight.”
Jeremy rushed past me and I genuinely assumed he might be grabbing a bagel. He returned only seconds later, though, holding ice which he placed gently against my throbbing cheek. It burned for a second, quickly replaced by the sweet relief of numbness. “Come sit with me. Right here.” He pulled me down onto his lap. “I’m going to hold this against your cheek and you’re going to relax. You were basically assaulted.”
“Oh, I’m okay.” But I didn’t try to move, enjoying the feel of being tucked up against his body. “Besides, Phoenix took care of me.”
Barrett crossed his arms over his chest, staring at his youngest brother still. “I’m glad you called Dad, even if it means we have to go back to the Hamptons.”
Julian hadn’t said a word, but he audibly sucked in a breath. Finally, he also stared at Phoenix. “I’m glad you were there for her. Did … you ride tandem on that board? Also … did you get the PI’s name, because I would like to pay him a visit.”
“I didn’t, but that would have been smart.” Phoenix stretched and seemed to notice his disregarded bagel, which he picked up off the floor. “But I did get her some ice, bought the bagels, and gave Alatheia her first flower.” He nodded toward the rose, chewing thoughtfully before adding, “No one has ever given her one before. How’s your head, Jer?”
Behind me, Jeremy leaned his head against my back. “It’s been better. I … I overdid it last night, Alatheia.”
“I’m not here to judge you,” I said, tempted to run my hands through his hair even as I resisted because it would be too much, though I wanted to make it clear that I meant what I said.
“Alatheia,” said their granny.
We all turned to look at her, apparently having forgotten en masse she was there. Since I just read her journal, I stared at her for a few seconds, trying to reconcile the gloriously beautiful granddame standing with the girl in that entry. Her grandchildren were proof that she ended up with a Lent, so I could guess how that part of the story worked out. I could ask her for clarification, but I wanted to experience her story in the proper order.
She wore a long black bathrobe, her hair tucked back in a bun, and her very air spoke of elegance. She said, “Do you have any idea why they would want you followed, sweet girl?” I couldn’t quite read the expression on her face, but if I had to guess, it might be curiosity. “This is a new one for me.”
I shook my head. “Absolutely none. I’m really boring.”
She made a noise that was sort of like ahmm. “Okay, I think I’ll get dressed then go have a talk with your aunt. By the way, you’ll be attending Pullman in the next semester. We arranged it last night. You boys can get packed up for the Hamptons. We’re going, all of us. I’ll let your aunt know you’re coming with us, too.”
I caught my breath. “I don’t understand. How …?”
Dina’s lips curled in a practically devious grin. “I haven’t always known how to bend the world to my will, but I’ve learned, and I can teach you. That man … he certainly isn’t going to get close enough to accidently hit you again. Good job handling the situation, Phoenix. Take a shower, all of you, before you get packed up. We’re headed to the beach.” She made a face. “I hate that particular beach, for what it’s worth. We bought you bathing suits, Alatheia, but we’ll need to pick up a few more and some cover ups. Also, bring your work, so don’t forget to pack the notebooks. You can work on it there. I justcan’tbe without my companion.”
16
Iheld my breath and had to work up the courage to tap lightly on my aunt’s door, and even then, it was hardly a whisper of sound. I jerked, still, as if I rang a clarion, fearing she might beat me to death for daring to disturb her.
