Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(65)

The next day, Eric was driving across town wondering if he’d lost his mind. He could have simply called every member of his family and invited them to the dinner, but he’d kept asking himself why Sage had asked to meet them in the first place. What was she hoping to see? What would have someone like her running for the door?

He thought about what she’d told him about her own family. It hadn’t sounded like a healthy situation. They’d sent her to boarding school, used her as a pawn to hurt each other, and still, for whatever reason, thought she was a disappointment. Her parents sounded an awful lot like someone he knew. Before he invited anyone to anything, he was damn well going to have a boundary-clarifying conversation with Delinda.

From Bella, Eric knew that although his grandmother had threatened Sage, she had also apologized to her. Still, she wouldn’t have made the list had Sage not insisted, but he’d promised to invite her and he would. Delinda didn’t have to accept, and he would also make that point clear.

He’d considered calling his grandmother, but decided to drop by her London home instead. This was a conversation best done face-to-face.

Her butler opened the door before Eric knocked. “Mr. Westerly, your grandmother will be pleased by this surprise.”

“I appreciate your optimism, Michael. I wish I were as sure of the outcome.”

After closing the door behind Eric, Michael said, “She had a difficult time last night. The doctor was here this morning. Nothing serious, but he suggested she rest today.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Her blood pressure was higher than normal. She is scheduled for some tests, but the doctor thought it might be the stress she has been under.”

“The stress?” Eric asked. He was trying to absorb the idea of Delinda being anything less than an immortal force of nature.

Michael cleared his throat. “If I may be frank—she has not been herself since Rachelle was kidnapped. She believes she failed to protect her. You’re aware of the circumstances around your grandfather’s death?”

Eric nodded.

Michael continued, “Mrs. Westerly believes she failed him as well. She was trying to do better by you.”

Eric folded his arms over his chest. “Her methods leave a lot to be desired.”

“You’ve never acted poorly out of fear?” Michael asked after a pause. “I did not realize you were the perfect Westerly.”

It would have been an uncomfortable conversation to have with anyone, but with a member of his grandmother’s house staff? “I don’t like your tone.”

Michael stepped closer until he was nose to nose with Eric. “I don’t give a fig what you do or don’t like. Do you know how many times your grandmother went to your home and begged to see you? Do you feel any remorse or take any responsibility for your relationship with her? Your grandmother is eighty-two years old. If you have come here with any intention other than a friendly visit, I will personally throw you out on your ass.”

Michael was several inches shorter than Eric, but something in his eyes said he was capable of carrying out that threat. Eric took a deep breath. Even though he hadn’t been close to Delinda in years, the idea of losing her to the finality of death sent a mild panic through him. Perhaps it was the wrong day to discuss the dinner, but he did want to see her. “That won’t be necessary.”

Michael stepped back and resumed his professional stance. “Then I shall announce your arrival.”

“No, I’m fine announcing myself. Where is she?”

“In her library.” He pointed toward a door at the other end of the foyer.

Eric almost walked away, then stopped. “Thank you, Michael, for being there for Delinda.”

Michael’s lips twisted in a small smile. “She was there for me when I was in need. I am not blind to her flaws, but she does what she does out of love. Of all her grandchildren, you’re the most like her. Perhaps that’s why you clash as you do.”

“Alike? I don’t see—”

“You are both highly creative, highly sensitive people who lash out when hurt. You have difficulty trusting people. Neither of you is quick to forgive, but you’re fast to judge. Oh, I’d say you have much more in common with your grandmother than you realize.”

Eric walked away from Michael with those words echoing in his head. He would have loved to have dismissed Michael’s assertions as nothing more than bullshit, but they rang true. He was everything his grandmother’s butler accused him of and worse.

As he stood at the door of Delinda’s library, he asked himself what Sage would do in the same situation. He had recent confirmation. He had hurt her, and she had not only listened to his explanation but also given him a chance to redeem himself.

Was that what she needed to see from him?

Forgiveness required allowing a person another chance to take a swipe at him, but he’d already tried the alternative. Closing people out of his life, protecting himself, had brought him to a dark and lonely place he never wanted to return to.

He opened the library door quietly and was given a moment to observe Delinda without her realizing he was there. She was seated in a chair, a blanket on her lap, looking out the window as if she were visiting a distant place or time. When not pinned down by her piercing gaze, he was able to see the frailness of her frame. In his mind she would always be a larger-than-life, overly opinionated, dominating presence—but he needed to reconcile that with the slight woman before him who would not be with him forever.