Page 57 of Spooked

“You’ll be back in the sun in no time.”

Brax watched the two women in his life, past and future. Meera was curled up on a floral couch beside his mother, a cup of tea in her hand. His mom’s leg was propped on an ottoman, the ankle bandaged and flanked by ice packs.

Meera was handling the situation far better than he was. His mom had only tripped over a step, but when he looked at her black eye, he saw his father’s handiwork and all the bad memories came rushing back. His mom crying in the bathroom, the endless apologies to a monster, her whispered claims that things were fine when they clearly weren’t. Brax had seen today’s injuries and felt anger, while Meera had stayed calm and businesslike, asking how long ago the accident had occurred, then requesting an aide fetch a fresh ice pack and a stool to elevate the leg.

And now they were chatting like old friends.

Call me Leon.

Throughout Brax’s marriage, his mom had insisted that Carissa call her by her full name. Every time Carissa forgot, she called her Carri in return, which his wife hated. When they shared an apartment, the two women had sniped at each other behind closed doors without him realising until his mom had another breakdown, something he’d never forgive himself for.

This was why he’d brought Meera to Virginia.

If he was going to give up everything for her, then he needed to know that she’d get along with his mother. That she wouldn’t upset the fragile equilibrium his mom had spent years regaining. Meera had passed the test with flying colours, and she didn’t even realise itwasa test.

“Will you be okay here if I make a few calls?” he asked her, his voice thick with emotion he had trouble hiding.

“Sure, we’re doing great. Do you need help with anything?”

“No, just keep my mom company.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” his mother told him. Then to Meera, “Do you play bridge?”

“Is that a card game?”

His mom nodded. “We can play with Matthew and Elda.”

“I’ve never played, but I’d love to learn.”

Brax backed out the door to book Meera a hotel room for the night. He had an apartment nearby, and a part of him wanted to say “screw it all” and take her there, but it was a huge decision to make. Financially, he’d slide from the top of the board, all the way down the snake, right to the bottom. Would that be a deal-breaker for Meera? There was heat between them, that was undeniable, but what if his circumstances changed drastically? He’d have to spend long hours building up the business again, and she’d need to work too, at least for the first few years.

After he’d booked her a suite at the nearest five-star hotel, the next call he made was to his lawyer.

* * *

“She’s more than your personal assistant, isn’t she?”

“Why do you say that?”

“I’m your mother, Braxton. Just because I live in this place, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”

“I realise that.”

“Then stop avoiding the question.”

Brax glanced toward the door of the private dining room—the facilities at the Cardinal Center were second to none. Meera had gone to use the bathroom before they headed off for the night.

“I…I think I’m in love with her.”

His mom’s expression softened. “She’s a good one. Meera’s the type of woman you should have married, not that other opportunist.”

“I know. I just… I guess that after Carissa stuck by me through the Blackstone House debacle, I thought she’d be a partner for life.”

“She’s a parasite. Everyone knew you didn’t murder that girl.”

“It was hard to think straight back then.”

“I understand that. But it’s time, Braxton. Get a divorce and move on.”

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