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“What?”
Grace shrugs. “He’s aloof. He’s unemotional. He’s never displayed an interest in love or affection. He’s like a different person with you. I can’t get over the smiles. The laughing.”
“He’s probably had a psychotic break,” I volley. “I don’t want this.”
Neither say anything. My face flames and I’m so angry I could spit.
“If you don’t help me, you’re both aiding and abetting,” I snap.
Grace sighs. “It’s not like he’s not a catch. He’s my brother and even I can see it. And believe me, many women would love to be in your place.”
“I…” I start.
“Use your hold over him to your advantage,” Naomi suggests.
“An attractive, rich, handsome husband who wants to dote on you? Why wouldn’t you?” Grace shrugs.
“She’s right. Things could be much worse,” Naomi offers. “I can’t do anything to help.”
And I’m stunned at their reaction.
“You’d be lucky to wind up with any of our living brothers,” Grace goes on, “They’re good-looking men of means who will go to extremes to provide for and protect those they care about. But yeah, Derek is unusual, dangerous, but he’s also absolutely smitten with you.”
“For how long though? If I don’t get out of this, do I end up like one of your brother Thad’s wives? Did they ask you for help and you ignore them, too?”
The Steele sisters exchange alarmed glances. We’re back to the entrance to the solarium, so I stop talking. But I wasn’t exactly whispering so might have been heard. But good! Someone needs to pay attention here. Intervene.
“I wouldn’t wish Thad on anyone,” Naomi says softly. “He was disturbed. As for Derek, you could be good for him. I’m sure I speak for all my siblings when I say that we’ll all be hopeful that this works out well.”
“Hopeful?” I ask.
“Derek’s been through a lot,” Naomi elaborates. “Him wanting to get married, bringing you here? That’s the first mentally healthy sign he’s shown anyone in years.”
I give my head a shake. “It’s healthy to blackmail a woman into sex? To destroy her relationship? He’s threatened people I care about. If you’re all going to talk this over after this, please talk about getting him some help so I can get away from him before he does more damage.”
“We’re allies, Chloe,” Naomi says, “But there are rules in this family. Some are unwritten but might as well be carved in stone. And we all know them. We can give you advice, pointers for being part of this family, but we can’t go against Derek on this. Anyone getting involved by going against what he wants? No. Not a good idea.” Naomi holds the door and gestures for me to go ahead.
The fact that they refuse to get involved sets off major alarms about being afraid of him retaliating.
I’m thinking I should walk out. I should walk out of here and go straight to the police, but I see that Derek is looking over his shoulder at me. And fear grips me at the notion of what he might do if I do that, so I walk back to him. As soon as we sit, his mom comes in and sits down. As soon as her behind is in her chair, servers move in and begin to serve everyone small plate towers with three levels of tarts and chocolate-dipped fruit.
Derek puts his arm around me and kisses the side of my head, but whispers, “Naughty bunny.” He tsks.
I look around and see all the men at the table staring at us. So are the servers. They’ve all heard some or all of what I’ve said.
But isn’t anyone going to do anything about this?
I make eye contact with several of them. The servers look away. The only Steeles to look away are the two young females. But not their mother. Her gray eyes are like stone.
I look at Derek’s father who looks straight through me. His expression is unreadable. I’m being treated as insignificant.
Clearly, I’m on my own.
Coffee is served.
So is more booze.
I finish a whole mimosa. As quickly as Shannon Steele does. And it tastes too good for the time of day and the predicament I’m in so I know getting snockered, as Grace put it, wouldn’t be a good idea. I decline the offer of another mimosa and switch to coffee.
