Page 16 of The Don

I don’t hang around for introductions and with Chastity and Ryan by my side, we head out into the bright sunlight where I see Diana standing on the exact spot that my mother died. For a moment my heart falls and I believe I’ve seen a ghost because she is wearing the same dress as my mother did on the day she was murdered.

I blink again and must tighten my grip on Chastity’s hand because she whispers, “Are you OK?”

I’m almost positive she thinks it’s because of Diana and probably thinks I’m in love with the wretched woman. I’m not and never have been, but this calculated welcome is not sitting well with me.

The sunlight shines behind her long blonde hair, creating a halo that she definitely hasn’t earned, and she heads toward us with an innocent smile and gazes up at me from under her lashes with a flushed tinge to her cheeks.

“Leo. You came.”

To anyone watching, they would imagine this woman is an angel. She styles herself that way as she hides the devil inside the innocent. She completely ignores Chastity, who is tense beside me, the antithesis of the woman staring at me with what appears to be love shining from her eyes.

“Stepmother.” I say sarcastically, and she shakes her head sadly. “It’s Diana now, Leo. I’m no longer married.”

“And you expect me to celebrate?” I say harshly and she sighs as if I’ve wounded her somehow.

“Please, Leo. Can we talk?” She flicks her gaze at my hand clasping Chastity’s and whispers, “In private.”

Before I can speak, Chastity speaks up and says casually, “I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m Chastity, Leo’s fiancée.”

It forces Diana to acknowledge her presence and Chastity waves her hand toward Ryan. “This is Ryan, and I can’t say he’s that pleased to meet you, but shit happens, I suppose.”

Diana’s eyes widen as she stares at Chastity with surprise and then Chastity turns to me and smiles lovingly. “Maybe you should continue this conversation after we’ve settled in. That flight was a bitch, and I could use freshening up. What do you say, honey? Are you up for scrubbing my back?”

Diana looks as if she’s been stung by a bee as she visibly winces, causing me to smile.

“Of course, you’re right, baby. Let’s settle in and meet for drinks. Shall we say in one hour’s time?”

“Make it two, honey.”

Chastity winks and flutters her own lashes at me, leaving Diana in no doubt of her intentions.

Diana’s face is like thunder as we turn our backs on her and head back into the house and for some reason I can’t help celebrating that. Yes, Chastity is a professional and understood the situation perfectly and now we have two pleasurable hours to ‘settle in’ as she calls it.

CHAPTER11

CHASTITY

Iknew Leo was struggling as soon as we walked outside, and the reason for it was shrouded in white and devious intent.

I have been around enough bitches in my life to spot a mega one and the fact she completely ignored everyone, but Leo, made my hackles rise.

I was brash, cutting, and rough, and I did it to prove a point. Nobody messes with Chastity Blake and lives to tell the tale, and if this woman believes she’s the exception to that, she’s about to learn a very hard lesson.

Leo leads me up a grand staircase over two flights of stairs and as we reach the middle floor, he guides me to a door at the end. The room inside is full of antiques, gold brocade and objects that were chosen for value rather than beauty.

“Is this your room?” I say, gazing around in distaste and Leo sighs heavily. “Unfortunately, yes, it is.”

“Who styled it, the Queen of England?” I shake my head as Leo kicks off his shoes and sits on the edge of the bed.

“I’m almost positive she would have done a better job.” He groans as he perches on the edge of a four-poster bed that is home to four huge heavy brocade curtains.

“Wow, no wonder you left.” I giggle as I take in the gold leaf furniture and portraits of dusty old men.

“Come here.” His command comes out of the blue and I spin around and stare at him in shock as he shrugs out of his jacket and unbuttons his shirt.

“What are you doing?” I hiss as he crooks his finger at me and points to the floor.

“I said come here.”

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