CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I sat on a chair in the dining room, having rejected Finn’s idea to make the call more private in his bedroom. I wanted a face-to-face with my parents so they could see I was fine. A background of a bed wasn’t ideal. I drummed my fingers on the obsidian dining table, and stated, “It’s good that it’s Friday. We can catch them together. They only work half-days then to use the afternoon for time together.”
Finn blinked. “Theirs is a love match?”
I could understand his surprise and assumption.
Both of my parents acted more like business partners in public than husband and wife.
I shook my head. “No, but they do believe in keeping their bond as partners strong—in and out of the workplace. They take the afternoon to unwind and do whatever they please that isn’t work related. They have affection for one another but not love.”
He stared over my head, lost in his thoughts. “That’s hard to imagine. Do they act differently at home?”
I choked on a laugh, and quickly covered my mouth with my right hand, training my features into politeness. “Yes, they do.”
Blue eyes ran over my features, a quirk of his mouth appearing. He murmured, “I never would have thought that about them.”
“Most don’t.” I cleared my throat and pointed at his bracelet. “My parents personal…time…is not anything I want to linger on. Shall we call them, so you can start your meeting with your friends?”
He snorted as a wry brow lifted. “Are you sure we won’t be interrupting anything?”
I answered curtly, “Let’s hope not.”
Finn snickered but tapped on his bracelet. “I’ll contact your father through hologram mode for visual. He’s more likely to answer than your mother would.”
I hardly kept from laughing in agreement.
But I did mention, “Remember, he probably sent you a proposal this morning. He may be thinking the call’s about that—a marriage deal. Don’t lead him on.”
Finn nodded, then tapped once more.
A screen appeared before us. Blank and white.
Words flashed.
Connecting… Connecting… Connecting…
Father’s face filled the screen, a mere pleasant smile on his visage, sitting peacefully on our couch at home. But his eyes appeared hopeful as he glanced back and forth between Finn and me sitting next to each other.
Father stated, “Mr. Baker, Mina. This is a surprise.”
“Mina’s on there?” Mother shrilled.
Father turned his head far to the side, patting his hand in the air. “Yes, Odette. She’s fine.”
I pinched my lips to keep from snorting.
Mother’s head popped into view, coming in at an angle that showed she had been hiding behind the couch, only her head peeking over the back of it. Her large eyes scanned my face, and a relieved sigh flew past her lips.
With cautious words, she asked, “Are you all right, Mina? Why haven’t you come home?” Her eyes flicked to Finn, held a moment, and then turned back to me. “Mr. Baker said there was an electric power surge on the train you took home from the party, and that you were stuck on the train all night and it ruined your bracelet.”
My mind blanked. I hadn’t known he had lied to them. Though, I guess it was better than stating I was kidnapped by a man who butchered women and left their parts lying around for decoration.
I nodded quickly, smoothly covering my surprise. “Yes, there was. And I’m fine. I will need a new bracelet, though.”
With an annoyed sigh, Father stated, “Your mother insisted we pick one up for you today. It’s programmed with all of your previous data.”
Mother cleared her throat and stood to her feet, recovering her sense of decorum as she brushed her suit pants off. “You didn’t answer me. Why haven’t you come home?”
“Odette…” Father hissed, glancing over his shoulder. “Hush. She’s a grown woman. She can do as she pleases.”
Finn sat forward and placed his forearms on the dining table, clasping his hands together. “I’m glad you and I agree on that fact, Mr. Baker. Because Mina has decided to stay with me for a time.”
Mother didn’t blink, her features frozen.
Father turned back to the screen, that same simple, pleasant smile on his face. “That’s lovely. I’m sure you two are enjoying each other’s company.”
I sat forward too, my side brushing against Finn’s, our arms touching—which my father didn’t miss. I stated with reassurance, “Mother, I am fine. I’m not lying. I want to be here. It’s all right.”
“Of course, it is.” Father waved a dismissing hand.
Except I kept my attention on my mother.
My father couldn’t see her expression from where he sat with her standing behind him at his shoulder.
Fear was flickering in her eyes like a flashing light warning all near her to back away slowly because she was about to explode.
Finn spoke gently, “Mrs. Kramer, would you feel better if you came by my home to speak with Mina in person? While I have business here to take care of for the next hour or so, you are more than welcome to drop by, if that would appease your worries.”
“Yes,” she choked, her tone garbled, leaping at the chance to see me in person. Her eyes turned toward me, and she stated, “Mina, I’ll be there in a half hour.”
I held up a quick hand. “Mother, could you pack a bag for me? I have no personal items here and could use clothes and toiletries.”
Her blink was slow. “I can manage that.”
Finn asked, “Do you know where I live or should I send you my address?”
This was out of politeness because everyone in New City knew where the corporate kings lived in their mansions.
But my mother nodded and flicked her eyes at him, her voice brisk. “Please do so, Mr. Baker.”
I blinked.
Father even glanced back at her, his brows furrowed, but he swiftly turned his head back around. He asked, “My wife will be there soon.” His attention flicked in my direction and held my gaze. His eyes softened. “I’ll have her bring your bracelet too.”
“As if I would forget that,” Mother grouched under her breath and stalked away from the couch, on a mission to get my items. Most importantly, my bracelet so she could contact me when she wanted to. I knew that was why she had insisted on replacing mine as soon as possible.
She disappeared from view.
Father watched her go, apparent shock slashing his features at her rudeness. He blinked in confusion, and then jerked his eyes back to us. My father scarcely pulled himself together to state, “She’ll see you soon, Mina. Mr. Baker, it’s always a pleasure speaking with you.”
We nodded, not another word spoken.
Finn ended the call, and the screen disappeared.
I glanced at his profile, and then quickly looked away.
He was staring at the wall, a scowl on his face.
I cleared my throat and brushed off a fake piece of dirt from his table. “That went better than expected.”
Finn snorted, asking bluntly, “Is your mother going to be an issue?”
I needed clarification. “For what? Me staying here or for the shifters?”
“For you staying here.” He sighed heavily, breaking his stare down with his wall. The white tiger stretched back on his chair, placed his right arm over the top of mine, and peered directly into my eyes. “I know she’s too smart to be a problem for the shifters. We have the money and power, and she wants to succeed professionally here in the city. But will she try to make you leave my home?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, my face scrunching a bit. “Do you want me to answer that honestly?”
He grunted. “She really doesn’t like me.”
“She doesn’t like us together,” I clarified. “You, she fears.”
Finn slid his finger under my hair, brushing the pads of his fingers softly against the back of my neck. “Do you still fear me?”
“Not at all.” The answer didn’t even surprise me.
I had accepted it. Now, I relaxed back into his touch.
His mouth curled into a satisfied grin as he leaned over, brushing his lips against mine. “I’m glad.”
Mr. Mason entered the room. “Sorry to break up the smooches, but since your call is done, can we get this party started?”
Finn sighed against my lips, his sexy eyes holding mine. He grumbled, “Rune, you are a pain.”
Mr. Mason, the owner of Mason Corporation, the largest construction company on the planet, smirked and took a step further into the room. “Well, if you want to continue, I can come join you two. Your lovely friend there has ample—”
“Fuck off,” Finn interrupted, his eyes slamming on his friend. “She’s mine. Don’t touch.”
I glanced between the two. Two predators eyeing one another while one claimed its feast. I cleared my throat and stated, “I’m going to take a shower before my mother gets here.”
Rune grinned and opened his mouth.
Finn pointed at him sharply, “Cut the shit, playboy. I wasn’t kidding.”
Rune flicked his black hair out of his right eye, and smirked, not at all repentant. “Her loss.”
“I don’t think so. I’ll take Finn over you, Mr. Mason,” I stated, my voice quiet, then getting louder and more confident as I spoke. “If you really want to stay, I’m about to deal with my mother. You can help…”
He turned quickly, waving over his shoulder as he exited the dining room on fast feet.
Finn snickered. “I like your feisty side. Rune hardly ever shuts up, and you rendered him mute with a few sentences.”
I shrugged a bored shoulder. “Mention anything about menstrual cycles, upset mothers, or poopy diapers, and most men run away. I’ve learned many tricks for when Father’s business associates would hit on me.”
Finn ticked his head back and roared with laughter. He sputtered in his hilarity, “I’m glad I met you, Mina. You are so very delightful. You make my day brighter.”
My heart warmed a little bit more.
The white tiger knew how to make me glow inside.