Hero(94)

“I’m getting that.”

“Honestly, I think they bore him,” I reassured her.

“Well, I’m from Beacon Falls, Connecticut, which is a slightly different crowd of people. Definitely not boring.” She grinned dryly.

My mouth fell open. “I’m from Chester.”

“No way.” She chuckled. “We grew up, like … what? An hour from each other?”

“It’s a small world.”

From there we launched into conversation, talking about growing up in Connecticut, about college, about Boston, and our favorite places in the city. What I liked about her was that she didn’t ask me about my relationship with Caine, just as I didn’t pry about hers with Henry. Nadia didn’t even comment when the stunning Phoebe Billingham floated by in Chanel Couture and threw me a look that would have felled a mountain lion.

That was awkward.

What was not awkward was conversation with Nadia. We clicked, and in the back of my mind I was already cursing Henry for introducing me to her, knowing that our friendship probably wouldn’t last, given his reputation with women.

Nadia and I could have chatted all night with each other, and I was pretty sure we would have if Henry hadn’t come back to claim his date.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, ladies.” Henry reached out and gently tugged Nadia toward him. “My father is finally free from the bigwigs and I want to introduce you to him.”

Nadia paled. “Your father?” She shot me a pleading look, but there was nothing I could do but offer her a bolstering smile as Henry dragged her away.

“Finally,” a familiar voice grumbled behind me as a hand wrapped around my wrist and jerked me backward.

I stumbled out into the hallway to face my very anxious grandfather. “Grandpa?” I looked around, but the hallway was nearly empty, only occupied by staff and security.

Without a word Grandpa spun on his heel and started walking. I hesitated a moment, unsure if I should follow him. That sharp ache of betrayal knifed across my chest as I watched his departing back.

That was when I realized I was fed up with living with the uncertainty I felt about him. I hurried to follow him, keeping up as he took a corner and strode down a much narrower hallway. He stopped at large sliding doors and pushed them open. “Inside,” he said quietly, darting in.

I found myself in a beautiful study. Books lined the walls on intricately carved dark wooden shelving. An equally stunning library desk sat in the corner, a burgundy leather armchair chair behind it. A sofa with cashmere throws strewn stylishly over it sat before a grand fireplace.

The doors slid shut behind me.

Dressed in a superbly cut tux and sporting a new and very distinguished short beard, Edward Holland looked every inch the respectable gentleman. I wasn’t so sure anymore that it wasn’t all just a facade.

He scowled at me in disapproval. “Your grandmother and I arrived only fifteen minutes ago and already someone has speculated in our presence about your relationship with Caine. What the hell were you thinking coming here as his date?”

My cheeks burned. I felt like a scolded child. “We haven’t said I’m his date.”

“Oh, well, that makes it okay, then.”

“Don’t.” I shook my head stubbornly. “Obviously now is not the time to discuss this, but we do need to discuss it. Caine isn’t comfortable hiding our relationship anymore and neither am I. To be with him I’m going to have to be a part of this community, and people are going to question my connection to the Hollands. We don’t have to decide right away whether we lie to everyone or not … but it is time you stop lying to your wife.”

“I never wanted you to be a part of this. I didn’t want these people, my people, to hurt you.” He gazed at me in concern. “You and Caine have grown serious, then?”

“Yes.” I took a step toward him. “I know this is huge, and I know you’ll need time to think it over and prepare yourself. I just wanted you to know that with the way things are progressing, it may not be too long before questions are asked and I’d like to know how to answer those. I believe you’ll have to discuss that with my grandmother before a decision can be made.”

He ran a hand through his short hair. “This is going to be a bloody mess,” he muttered quietly.

All this secrecy just so he didn’t have to put up with drama.

That was when I snapped. “I know, you know. He told me.”