CHAPTER FIVE

 

After another peaceful night’s sleep, I was glad I set my alarm an hour earlier than normal so I could enjoy more time in the shower.

It was better than I imagined.

Loads better.

I just wish I could transport their bathroom to my place. It would make showering and getting up earlier so pleasurable to deal with.

After dressing in another floral, cream summer dress, my hair down but clipped back from my face, I leave my room.

I never got to check on Alison last night, so before heading to breakfast I stop by her room, knocking lightly on the door just in case she’s still asleep.

 

A hoarse croak comes from behind the door. “Come in.”

Walking in, I immediately wince at the sight of Alison lying in bed, a pale green. She also looks relieved to see me.

“Hey,” I greet softly, moving over to her bed. The second I reach her, she clasps my hand in a strong grip, using strength I didn’t think she was capable of in her current state. I wince, pulling my hand away and shaking out the pins and needles as I take in her anxious expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you dare leave me with that woman ever again,” she announces heatedly.

“Good morning to you to, sunshine,” I reply sarcastically. “Are you talking about Ada? She seems like a sweet old lady.”

She scoffs, looking offended. “You cannot be serious, Pagan. That woman… that woman… God, I can’t even explain what she is, but she is not sweet.”

“Alison, don’t be ridiculous.” I roll my eyes at her dramatics.

“She tried to kill me!”

“What?” I shriek, my eyes widening in horror.

“Yes! She gave me this green poison to drink, forcing it down my throat… literally,” she declares.

I relax and a small chuckle escapes. “Alison, she was just trying to look after you. She wasn’t trying to kill you, she was just being kind.”

“There were things in that drink that moved, I swear.” She shudders.

I laugh loudly, amused by her exaggeration. A disgruntled look crosses her face.

“Sorry, but—” I choke out, laughing too much to continue.

“Stop laughing! It’s not funny. I had it coming out of both ends, and she wouldn’t give me any privacy. None. What. So. Ever! It was mortifying.”

I fall to my back on the bed, laughing harder than before. My side hurts and when she kicks my hip, I laugh harder, a snort escaping.

“Pagan,” she whines, sounding weak.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll try not to leave you with her again.” My lips twitch as I avoid looking at her.

She growls, narrowing her eyes on me. “I hate you.”

I roll my eyes. “You love me. But in all seriousness, how are you feeling today?”

“I haven’t vomited or gone to the toilet for a few hours, so I guess I could say I’m doing a little better.”

“Teach you to eat―”

“Stop! Don’t even say it because I’ll throw up all over you and your pretty little dress,” she says, turning a shade greener.

“Okay, okay. So you won’t be joining us for breakfast this morning?”

She gives me an annoyed, dry look, one I can’t help but find amusing instead of threatening. “Hell to the no. I’m going to stay in this bed. Pam said last night that she’ll have one of the TVs brought up for me. Will you be okay with work? I tried calling Jess to come in earlier but she didn’t pick up, so if you need me―”

I cut her off, holding my hand up. “No, no. I’ve got this. You rest and concentrate on getting better. Your health is more important. I hate leaving you when you’re ill, but I really need to get going. I’ve got some things to go over with Pam before I meet with Jess. If you need me or need anything, text me. I’ll be picking up dresses tomorrow morning instead of today, so I’ll be around if you need me. Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?”

“As long as you keep that woman away from me, yes.”

I shake my head, laughing as I get up to leave the room. I can’t even make that promise because something tells me there’s no stopping Ada when she puts her mind to something.

“Pagan! Pagan, answer me, dammit,” Alison calls out as I walk down the hall.

She’s totally going to quit on me.

 

*** *** ***

 

I’m invited back to the garden room for breakfast again when I reach the bottom of the stairs. When I walk in, Pam smiles up at me warmly from her seat at the table.

“Good morning, Pagan. How is Alison feeling this morning?”

I slide my gaze to Ada as I take one of the empty seats. Turning to face Pam, I’m about to answer when Ada makes a disgruntled noise, interrupting.

“I told you already, she’s fine. I made sure of it. Now, Pagan, tell us more about you. Are you single? What do you think of London? What are your parents like?”

Blown away by the rapid-fire questions, I give Pam a kind smile, not wanting to ignore her. “Alison is fine and resting in her room.” Ada is giving her a smug look when I turn her way. “I am single, London is beautiful from what I’ve seen, and my parents are great people.”

She smiles broadly, like I just gave her the answers she wanted. I actually feel like I’m being duped when she clasps her hands on the table.

Why does she look like she’s about to take over the world?

“My grandson is single,” she murmurs, more to herself than to the room.

“That I am, Grams,” Drake’s deep, rumbling voice announces.

Looking to my left, my mouth goes dry at the sight of him walking into the room wearing only a pair of basketball shorts and a towel wrapped around his neck.

Holy mother of God!

Sweat glistens on his hard, ripped chest, and I lick my suddenly dry lips. What would it be like to run my tongue down his hard body, right down to where the sweat trickles into the elastic band of his shorts?

I bet he tastes as good as he looks.

My thighs clench together when the image of him above me, his hard chest pressing against mine, flashes in my head.

He sits next to me, snapping me out of my daydream. Having him so close is doing things to my body, so I distract myself by lifting the Donovan file and notebook from my bag and turning to Pam, clearing my throat.

She’s looking from me to Drake with rapt interest, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Pam, I’ve called the Hilton to confirm your rooms and booking. Your driver will be here tomorrow at eleven to take you, Mr Donovan, and Ada. He’ll be there until you leave Friday morning. I’m also advised to inform you that you can call on him anytime you’re there for his car services.

“I’ve also gone ahead and booked a table at a five-star restaurant with a wide range of foods, so everyone should be happy with the choice. Tickets for the play are ready to be picked up at the front desk at the Hilton. Just give them your name and they’ll hand them over,” I tell her as I read through my notes, checking everything off as I go. Not that I need my notes; it just gives me something to concentrate on instead of my eyes straying back to Drake, which they’ve been dying to do for the last five minutes.

Pam looks at me, relief in her eyes. “Thank you. I completely forgot about the hotel and tickets. It’s been a busy few weeks.”

I smile, tilting my head to the side. “It’s my job, Pam. It’s why you hired me, to keep everything running smoothly and to make sure you are where you need to be.”

“Still, thank you, dear. You really are a godsend.”

Her approval makes me blush a little, and I clear my throat once again before looking at the next topic on the agenda. “Okay… next is the fundraiser. Since you’ve let us use your hall, the house is going to be really busy today. My colleague Jessica, who should be here shortly with the catering staff, will be running everything. The rest will flow in and out throughout the day.

“We already had two bouncers and six security guards hired for tonight, but because it was originally at a hotel, we didn’t feel the need for any extra security. With the items of value around your home―”

She waves me off. “Shane was informed yesterday morning about the change of schedule and has hired a valet parking service and my normal security staff. We use them for other events like this one. They’ll make sure everyone is kept in the ballroom and the gardens. We’ve have the stairs roped off, along with the left side of the manor. But to be safe, if you could get your team to check in with Shane when they arrive, he’ll instruct everyone on where to be so there’s no confusion.”

That’s actually brilliant. It takes another load off Jessica and me.

“Thank you, that will be a huge help.”

“It’s our pleasure. And I’ve already had the kitchen prepped and the ballroom cleaned and ready for you. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss about tonight?”

Looking down at my notes, I see I’ve gone through most of it. “Not today, but I would like to sit down with you and Amelia when you’re back from your trip.”

She nods before turning to Ada, giving her a knowing look. “Did you pack?”

Ada huffs, glaring at her daughter. “No. I still don’t understand why I can’t stay here with the kids. You know I hate all that uppity crap. And a play? I’m gonna be bored out of my brain.”

“Mother, we’ve talked about this. The kids want the house to themselves for the night,” Adam tells her, treading carefully.

“Yeah, and I bet they have more fun than me. And they’ll have alcohol.”

Drake chuckles under his breath, and goosebumps run up my arms. For a moment, I forgot he was even there.

Shirtless.

Sweaty.

Hard…

Yeah, I totally need to get laid, or find a new hobby.

“Grams, the police were called the last time we were alone with you,” Drake says, causing his dad to chuckle and Pam to glare at both of them.

“Revenge is best served sweet,” Ada says, shrugging as she twirls her knife.

Sweet?

Huh!

I don’t tell her the saying is ‘Revenge is best served cold.’ I don’t want to get on her bad side, especially with the way she’s eying that butter knife.

“You put a laxative in his drink,” Adam reminds her.

“And his pudding,” Drake adds.

“After you somehow made sure none of the toilets were working,” Pam says, sounding a little sceptical.

What on earth?

She’s just a tiny old lady.

I’m actually starting to think I should’ve taken Alison’s pleas for Ada to stay away a little more seriously now.

This is just plain crazy.

“He cheated on me, then had the balls to bring her to my favourite restaurant, where he took me,” Ada snaps, spinning the knife a little too hard.

Why is Cher Lloyd’s “I Want You Back” ringing in my head?

“Mother, you sent them a voucher to get them there,” Pam tells her, sounding vexed.

“And forced Jesse and me to take you there under false pretences,” Drake says, sounding more amused than anything.

“And you hit a waiter with your bag,” Adam adds, his lips twitching.

Okay, next job I’m totally doing background checks―on the whole family.

Are they not worried about that knife she’s freaking spinning at all?

“Like I told the copper, it was an accident. I was aiming for him,” she tuts, rolling her eyes.

“It’s a moot point since you’re still coming with us. I don’t want you getting the kids into trouble this close to the wedding.”

“Whatever,” Ada mutters before sulking off. She looks like a kid who just had her tablet confiscated.

When she’s gone, I’m able to relax. The knife is still there, which has to be a good sign. Though I still can’t help but wonder how someone her age, someone who looks adorably sweet, can be so… so… I don’t even know what to call it, but it’s something.

“You do realise she’s gonna be here for every other gathering for the wedding?” Drake points out, shovelling eggs into his mouth.

Lord, even his mouth closing around a fork is sexy.

“She’ll be on her best behaviour,” Adam says, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

“Yes,” Pam agrees, taking a sip of her drink.

And, I note, also avoiding our gazes.

“They’re lying, aren’t they?” I whisper to Drake.

He grins, all straight white teeth on show, with a little dimple in his cheek. I find myself sighing at his perfection.

“Yep,” he says, popping the ‘p’.

I close my eyes, seriously hoping I don’t have to deal with anything she does. I can only handle so much. And I don’t want to get arrested. I wouldn’t look good in a prison uniform.

My phone beeping has me looking away from Drake’s amused eyes and down to the screen. I groan when I read the message.

ALISON: If you don’t come and save me right now, I’m quitting. I should be getting paid danger money. And why the fudge does she want a copy of the wedding itinerary?

Oh no!

“I have to go!” I rush out, glaring at Drake when I see his shoulders shaking in laughter.

Without looking back, I race out of the room, leaving Drake to explain to his parents about my sudden departure.

As I run up the stairs, I pray like hell that I won’t need to find a new assistant by the end of the three weeks.