I’m back at the castle in England and have spent the last week sorting out all the work I dropped while I was with Axel. Luckily, it hasn’t been too bad, but I think I am going to need more staff, the publicity from Christian and Vanessa’s wedding, as well as Penny and Eddie’s at another one of our properties, has propelled us into the spotlight. I called Camryn’s friend, Harper, and hired her services in regards to PR for our holdings. She wants to capture the momentum from the last couple of well-known weddings held at our properties. I spoke to Camryn about helping me put together a special events team for all our properties and she came up with the perfect solution. Starr & Skye Events, will be looking after the events side to our holdings. Having someone as experienced in high end events, like Camryn and her company, takes a huge amount of stress off me, plus I trust Camryn’s company as well, it’s the best in the world. She already has high end clients who would love to hold an event at one of our English, Scottish or French castles. There is even interest in events at our manor homes and our little rustic villages. They could even holiday at our villa in Mustique in the Caribbean.
“You wanted to see me,” Penny snarls as she enters my office. I plaster a smile on my face trying to block out her attitude.
“How are you feeling?” I ask as I motion for her to sit in front of me. She eyes me suspiciously.
“Sick, morning sickness is a bitch.”
I give her a small smile. “Oh dear, hopefully that passes soon.” Well, this is kind of awkward.
“Did you call me down here to just ask me about my morning sickness or was there another reason?” I guess being pregnant hasn’t mellowed out her bitchiness.
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.” She raises her eyebrows at me, but stays mute. “I know father is pretty adamant about you working in the family business.” Penny crosses her arms and huffs. “And I was thinking of what you could do.”
“If you are going to make me the cleaner to seek some kind of revenge on me, I am not doing it. I would rather be cut off than clean up other people’s shit.”
I roll my eyes. “I would never be that petty, Penny. I’m not like you.” Penny gasps at my bitchy retort. “But you do have a certain skill set that I think would be a pretty good asset to the business.” Penny narrows her eyes at me trying to work out if I am teasing her or not. “Starr & Skye Events, Camryn’s event company, will be taking over the events side of our business. I have decided that they have the knowledge and the contacts to help raise our profile in conjunction with the PR company I have hired. They will help expand on the media attention attached to your wedding and Vanessa’s.” This makes her sit up a little.
“My wedding?” she questions.
“Yes, I am sure you are aware that your wedding was the talk of the town, and not because of the change of bride.” She rolls her eyes at me. “You have a high profile, Penny, and I think we can use that profile to create more business.” Penny looks at me genuinely shocked.
“Me? You think I could help the business?” Penny questions me.
“Yes, I do. I was wondering if you would like to join the events team. There will be lots of planning with the up and coming celebrity weddings, film shoots, magazine articles, all those sorts of things. I mean you have all the contacts already.” Penny is staring at me in bewilderment.
“You seriously think I could do this?”
“Yes, I really do. I know we don’t get on, but I do know one thing, you know how to throw a party.” She gives me a genuine smile.
“Well, yes, that is true.”
“And you know all the right people,” I add.
“Yes, this is true also.”
“So, why not combine them together and use those contacts. I know it would make our parents proud, plus I thought you might genuinely like to do it. I’m guessing you will be pretty bored stuck in the village instead of London.”
Penny stays quiet for a moment. “Why are you doing this for me?” She looks up at me, her eyes watery.
“We’re family, it’s just what we do.”
Penny frowns. “But after everything I have done to you. You still want to help me?”
“I can’t do this on my own, Penny, I need your help. I never wanted to be enemies, I never understood why you hated me so much.”
“Because you’re so fucking perfect,” she confesses.
I burst out laughing. “Seriously, I am so far from perfect, Penny.”
“Daddy adored you…you were his favorite.”
“And you were Mummy’s favorite, but you didn’t see me acting out over it.”
Penny frowns again. “I guess…I guess I need to grow up.” She surprises me with her comment. “I’m having this baby and there’s a chance that I am going to be doing it on my own.” Her honesty surprises me.
“Eddie isn’t the father?” I ask.
Penny shrugs. “Honestly, I am not sure.” She shifts in her seat uncomfortably. “I know that makes me sounds like a slut, but…um…okay, I was a slut and I guess this is my karma.” A small tear falls down her cheek.
“I’m sorry, Pen.”
“This is my mess and I am going to fix it.” She straightens up in the seat. “I see how happy you are with Axel and I want that.” It’s my turn to stiffen. “No, I don’t want Axel,” she adds. I raise a brow at her which makes her laugh. “Yeah, I wouldn’t trust me either after everything. But honestly, no I do not want him. He is so in love with you it’s disgusting. I will never have that with Eddie…ever. If this baby isn’t his, then he is going to leave me, and if it is…”
“He told me that he would make it work.” This surprises her.
“He spoke to you?”
“Yes, the other day, he apologized and told me about your little…um…indiscretion at the wedding reception.” Penny looks surprisingly embarrassed.
“Oh that…yeah…well…um…I’m an idiot. I just wanted to hurt Eddie. I’m sure he didn’t tell you about his indiscretion at the reception either.” I look a little shocked. “Yeah, I didn’t think he did. So, I needed to pee and all the toilets were full, so I went up to one of the bedrooms on the second floor, I also needed a moment after the surprise wedding I just had. So, after I finished my business I heard voices in the room. I stuck my head out and what do I see? Eddie, getting a blow job from one of my friends.” I shake my head. “Yep, never going to guess who?”
“Who?” I ask, Penny chuckles.
“Karma, I think you told me one day karma would get me and well it did, in the form of Arabella on her knees sucking off my brand new husband on my wedding day.”
“I’m sorry, Pen.” She waves her hands at me.
“Don’t be, I deserved it. I was horrible to Arabella and Isadora, treating my two best friends as my minions, not as my friends. I shouldn’t be shocked that this happened to me at all.”
I know I shouldn’t feel bad for my sister, not after everything she has done to me, but I do.
“So, you see, our wedding day wasn’t the happiest.” She shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly.
“Are you worried that you might end up being a single mother?”
“Yes and no. I mean, I know our parents will help me, but I know that my friends will look at me differently. The stigma is still there. I’m sure Eddie would be relieved if he wasn’t the father.” Eddie is such a douche. “Look, Liv, thank you.” I am genuinely shocked by her thanks. “I know I have been a bitch to you.” I guess she is growing up. “Eddie demanding this paternity test has really made me see things differently. I have made some stupid decisions in my life and now I need to stop doing that because I now have a little person involved.” Wow, who knew getting knocked up would mature my sister. “Do you want to see a picture of it?” she asks quietly.
“Of course, that’s my niece or nephew in there.” I smile as she hands over her phone. The black and white image of a little bean, the image of her baby, makes me all emotional. “I am so happy for you,” I say through my tears. I look up and she is crying as well.
“I’m sorry, Liv. I’m sorry for everything. I know we will never ever be close because I was so horrible to you for as long as I can remember. The things I did to you, I would never forgive me for them. But what you have done for me today, giving me this chance in the company, you are truly a better person than me. I honestly don’t know how I can ever repay you for this opportunity.” Now I am bawling. In all of my life my sister has been a bitch, but this side, this new mature side I have never seen before, is what I have always wanted. “I know it’s going to take time to repair what I have done to you, but I would like to try.” I honestly believe her. I jump up out of my seat and make my way over to her, I bend down and give her a tight hug. Penny stiffens but eventually hugs me back.
“I would like that. It’s going to take time for me to trust you again, but I would like to have my sister back.”
“Is everything okay?” Axel asks from the doorway, looking at the two of us crying.
“Just me doing some groveling,” Penny responds as she stands up and straightens herself. “I’m sorry, Axel, for the stunt I pulled with the photo.” She puts out her hand for him which he takes and shakes. He is looking at me a little bewildered. “I better go. I have to meet Mother down in the village to pick out which house to live in.” And with that statement, she walks out of the room.
“Seriously, did I walk into the twilight zone?” I walk over to Axel and throw my arms around his neck.
“No, but apparently Penny is growing up.” I kiss him passionately because I am so happy that I found him. He lets out a groan as he picks me up, my legs wrap around his waist. He places my bottom on my desk.
“Well, that’s good.” He smiles, pushing up the hem of my skirt, his calloused fingers rubbing along my inner thigh. His stubble tickling me as he nuzzles my neck. “Can you trust her?” he mumbles against my skin.
“I think so, she genuinely seemed happy about the job.”
Axel moves away and looks at me with surprise in his eyes. “I’m guessing she is maturing.”
“She showed me a picture of the baby, it’s a tiny jelly bean.” Axel smiles at me. “I think seeing her baby for the first time has kind of hit her that her actions now have consequences. She’s worried that the baby isn’t Eddie’s.” Axel doesn’t say anything. “She might end up being a single mother.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing. The child won’t grow up in a home where his or her parents don’t like each other.” Maybe Axel is right.
“It’s all a bit of a mess, isn’t it?”
Axel pushes himself between my legs. “Can we stop talking about your sister and fuck?” Axel’s words jolt me and hit my core with desire.
“I think I can arrange that Mr. Taylor,” I purr, giving him a seductive smirk.
“Good, now take off your clothes so I can feast on you.” I quickly follow his orders, throwing my dress to the floor.