Page 40 of Until Now

“We have been spending time in New York. You are all more than welcome to visit,” I answer.

“Oh, yes. I heard Exie mentioning something like that. Where are you staying exactly? The Bronx? East Harlem? It must be hard since you are working but at least you did the right thing and placed Lane Jr.’s inheritance in a trust that his father left him.”

My teeth grind together. She always thinks I’m poor, and she knows I put everything in the trust and would not touch a dime. She means Lane left our son money and always has to make a point that I wasn’t entitled to a dime of anything Lane left me.

I’m about to answer, but a voice like a thunderbolt of lightning vibrates in a hard timbre. Like a knight in shining armor.

“Actually. If you would excuse me and pardon my interruption. Aura and Lane Jr., along with Camila, are staying in an exquisite estate in the Hamptons right on the water. Truly a gorgeous home. You should stop by and spend some time there with Lane.” Kalum’s voice drips with a lethal dose ofwatch what the fuck you say next, bitch.

My head tilts up, and he looks so handsome in a tailored blue suit that takes my breath away. His hair is swept back and his dress shirt is open at the base of his throat and the ink of his tattoos gives a glimpse of hard muscle. His suit jacket stretches across his broad shoulders, making my panties soak right where I’m sitting. His gaze finds mine, and a look of molten lust lingers in the dark depths as they caress my face down to my chest and slowly rise, making a point that he is undressing me with his eyes.

Lane grins and whispers, “Told ya, Mommy. He’s here to save us from the evil witch.”

Mr. and Mrs. Turner have their mouths slightly open, and Camila coughs, trying to hold back a laugh.

Kalum gives Lane a grin. “Hey kiddo.”

“Hi, Kalum,” he says with a beaming white tooth grin. His dimple making an appearance.

My heart lurches in my chest at how cute he is and how much he trusts Kalum. Kalum grabs a chair and lifts it like it weighs nothing and places it between Lane and me.

“And how can she afford such extravagance, Mr. St. Claire? Please do tell since you have invited yourself to our family dinner.”

“Mother. Stop it and leave her alone,” Exie chides.

What a bitch. I want to claw her eyes out, but that is what she wants. She wants me to make a scene. Not a chance. I can’t wait to leave.

Kalum chuckles. “Why are you so worried about Aura’s finances and where she is living instead of how she is actually doing, even though she is caring for your only grandchild after your son’s death? It has been more than a year, and you haven’t visited her or made an attempt. I know this because I was the one who gifted her the estate.”

Holy shit. No, he didn’t just say that. He didn’t. My mind is going a hundred miles an hour, like one of Lane’s cars. What is he doing? My head whips in his direction, and I can see his side profile, he is calm and collected, but I know this side of Kalum. The lethal side I have witnessed living with him at his family’s home when he strikes with his words.

Everyone’s eyebrows rise at his admission of the gift. Who gifts an estate to a woman unless they are… together? Friends? No, not friends. Lovers?

“Are you trying to say what I think you are saying, young man?” Lane’s father retorts.

Exie looks at me with a smirk, and so does Dex. Camila smiles at Kalum like he hung the moon.

“I’m taking responsibility for Aura and Lane Jr.,” he says as he gets up from the table.

“What would your mother say?” Lane’s mother asks.

“What can she say? She was voted out of the company, along with my father. Early retirement. I own it all.”

The Turners and everyone, including me, have shock written all over our faces.

“If you’ll excuse me. Lane and Aura have a flight to catch. This has been fun, but under the circumstances, you understand that New York is getting cooler, and Aura and Lane Jr. need to stay warm, and my plane is already awaiting our arrival.”

Relieved, I stand, and we say our farewells.

Exie gives me a hug and whispers, “Get the hell out of here. I’m sorry my parents are such assholes but I need you to give that man right there a chance.”

My eyes lower because I’m not sure I can. I’m afraid it is too good to be true. What if it is because of his friendship with Lane he is doing all of this? I’m not dumb enough to not realize Lane would’ve written to him stating his dying wish for him to take care of me in some way, and then, of course, I gave in and slept with him only to fall in love with him.

Chapter 22

Aura

I wake up in my bed with the sound of little feet running on the hardwood floors to the master bedroom. Kalum is staying in one of the guest rooms at his own request and I’m relieved because I don’t want to confuse Lane. It is still dark outside but it means Lane is having trouble sleeping.

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