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I frowned up at the way the house looked as if it was trying to block the sun from shining intentionally. “If Batman was creepier.”
“The front of the house was Don’s. He wanted to make an impression. The back was Maggie’s. It’s a different world back there.” Jake got out and came around to open my door but I was already climbing out. He frowned down at me. “I open the door.”
I grabbed my purse and ignored the second thing he said. “Who are Don and Maggie?”
He picked up my small suitcase from the back. “The parents.”
“Jake, dear, take the suitcase. Ms. King will be staying in the guest house.” A middle-aged woman with bright red hair came out of the house and looked down at us. “Come, Ms. King. I’ll give you a tour of the property if you’re up for it.”
I felt a wave of relief that I wouldn’t be staying in the main house. I hoped the guest house wasn’t as dark and oppressive. “Of course. Please, call me Memphis. And thanks, Jake. I’ll see you around.”
“I’ll leave your suitcase in the guest house for you. You’ll love it. Batman wouldn’t step foot inside it.” Jake flashed a quick smile and then left me standing there on the steps.
“Memphis? I’m Sophie Gardner. Call me Sophie.” The red-headed woman had come down the stairs to gather me. She tucked her arm through mine and led me up towards the door. “Memphis is a neat name. I bet there were never any name twins in your class at school.”
“No, ma’am. Not a single one.” I looked her over and tried to figure out who exactly she was. “Are you Remington’s…”
She threw her head back and laughed. “No, no, sweetheart. I’m their property manager. Remy’s head would probably explode at the thought of me as his girlfriend or wife. I drive him crazy enough without being in his life very often.”
“You drive him crazy?” I couldn’t imagine anyone bothering the man for very long without being corrected. He had a vibe to him that made me think he didn’t tolerate a lot of things.
“Oh, Remy loves being in control. Not everyone is a sweet little subby, though.” Sophie read the confusion on my face and cleared her throat. “Ignore me. I just don’t listen to every little thing he says. That’s all. Now, come on, Memphis, and let me show you around.”
She showed me into the house and watched my face as I took in the space. “It’s a lot, right? Fifteen foot ceilings, original wood molding and details, and three separate staircases. There’s a fireplace in every bedroom, two kitchens, and a fully functional dungeon in the basement.”
I didn’t catch what she said at first. I was too busy taking in the sheer magnitude of the house. Heavy furniture sat atop thick rugs, the lighting was ornate but dim, and it felt like I was standing in a dark cave. Any minute, a bear might’ve come trotting out. Finally, my brain snapped to attention. “Did you say dungeon?”
She laughed. “I’m only teasing. This place feels like it should have a dungeon, though, doesn’t it? I expected one when I started working here, that’s for sure. This is all still Don’s life. I’m sure the brothers will do something with the place eventually, but they only just moved back in.”
“After their father died?” When Sophie nodded, I looked around again and decided to keep my mouth shut about the decor. “I’ve never been in a place quite like this.”
“No? No dark mansion back home missing you?”
I felt my cheeks darken at my slip. I was supposed to be wealthy and from an important family. Mansions would’ve been in my background, probably. “No dark mansions, no. I don’t think they make them like this in Georgia. In all that southern heat, no one would think to make a house this dark.”
She nodded. “That makes sense. I guess I should finish showing you around and then take you to the guest house so you can get settled in. I’m sure you’re ready to rest after traveling and meeting the guys today.”
I’d taken a bus from Georgia to Chicago, so I was beyond ready to curl up in bed and sleep. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to, though, not with everything going through my mind as fast as it was. Seeing the house and property was making everything real. Hearing twelve million dollars was one thing. I’d heard a lot of things in my life. Seeing that the Hawke brothers would have no problem paying that twelve million was completely different. I suddenly felt like an even bigger fraud. I didn’t fit in and it had to be obvious to anyone with eyes. My shoes looked even more worn while standing on perfectly shined hardwood floors.
“Are you okay?” Sophie gently touched my shoulder. “You checked out on me.”
I forced a smile. “I guess I really need that rest, huh?”
She tucked my hand into the crook of her elbow and patted it. “I’ll make the tour quick. Remington just wanted me to give you a general idea of where things were in the main house, in case you ever needed them when the staff wasn’t around. I tried to tell him that you could just stand in the middle of the house and scream for them, but he didn’t find that amusing.”
“I have a feeling I could scream in this house and no one would hear me. It’s massive.” I did my best to pay attention to the layout of the home, but it was too easy to get turned around.
By the time we got to the back door and Sophie pushed it open, I thought I was going to have to fake whatever excitement the woman was clearly expecting from me as she stood back and motioned for me to look outside. I walked out and a jolt of energy hit me as I took in the most beautiful garden I’d ever seen. I even gasped.
“I know! This was Maggie’s handiwork. She died when the boys were young, but Don kept someone on staff to take care of her flowers. Isn’t it magical?” Sophie’s voice held the same wonder I felt.
I inhaled deeply and pulled in scents from so many different flowers and plants. All around us was a specially curated collection of nature that followed a path out of sight. The flower beds were everywhere, weaving a design that I was desperate to fly over and see. I just knew it was something special. Color filled every point of vision and as dark as the house was, the yard was that light. Magical was putting it lightly. I felt like crying as a butterfly floated by and landed on one of the daisies on my dress.
“Magical.” Sophie grinned at me and sighed. “The gardener, Pete, is an angel. You’ll see him, I’m sure. He’s everywhere, all the time. It’s tacky to gossip, I know, but I think the man makes more than the president doing this.”
I inhaled deeply again and watched as the butterfly fluttered away. “He deserves even more. This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’m going to spend all my time here.”
“Wait until you see the roses.”
