Chapter Twenty-Six

Finlay

 

I march in the direction of the sound. I knew this would happen. “Rose, don’t answer it. Take the stairs and turn right—it’s the last room at the end of the corridor. I’ll take care of this.”

“You don’t—”

Placing my hand on Rose’s arm, I gently say, “Please, go upstairs.”

“Okay.” She’s rattled. Her hand shakes.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Police. Open the door.”

“Coming!” I call out, keeping my eyes planted to Rose as she takes to the staircase. Swivelling on my heel, I barge forward, but pause when I take the handle into my grip … “Long deep inhales,” I mutter, putting in place a trick Tessa taught me when I was very young to keep my temper under control.

“Can I help you?” I deliver this calmly when I’m composed enough to open the door.

Two police officers and Mr Horton stand there in wait.

“I’m Sergeant Pittensburg, and this is Constable Williams.” He points to the other officer in attendance. “Mr Crossley, we’re trying to locate Roselette Horton. Do you know where she is?”

“Yes, sir. She’s here.” There’s no point in lying. It will only make it worse.

“Can we please speak with her?” he continues.

“She’s unavailable at the moment.” Do not look at Horton, I keep telling myself internally.

“We need to ensure she’s safe and in a well state of mind.”

“She is.”

“We need to speak with her.”

“It’s not the right time to do so. Can I politely ask you to come back in the morning?”

“Mr Crossley, we will have a warrant drawn before morning, so it’s best we do this now.”

“I want to see my daughter.” Horton’s not going to back down until he sees Rose, and I’m concerned he’ll do something stupid in front of these officers if he doesn’t and end up in trouble himself.

“It’s okay,” Roselette says from behind me. “I’m here.” She comes to stand at my side.

“There. She’s fine, as you can see.” I’m getting annoyed.

“Can you please step outside, Miss Horton?” Pittensburg says.

“No, thank you.” She remains ever-so-polite.

“Mr Horton, she just needs some space—grant her what she’s asking for, and I’ll see her home to you.” I’m making a promise I can’t keep or even make on Rose’s behalf, but it might be enough for him to back off.

“Daddy, please. I’m a grown woman … I’m not a child. I have the right to go where I want and do as I please. I’m not breaking any laws. I’m not in any mental or physical danger—”

“You’re supposed to be on a plane, Roselette.”

“To a place I have no desire to go with a person who is a danger to me. Daddy, you can’t have your way this time. Please, leave me be.”

“You did this to her.” Horton outstretches his finger in my direction.

I don’t even bother to reply. It will make no difference.

“Roselette, I do need to ask you to step outside with us. A quick moment of your time and then you can return to doing what it is you were.”

Rose looks at me.

“Go talk to them. I’ll wait here. It’s okay,” I reassure her.

“Fine.”

Rose steps through the doorway and follows Pittensburg until they both move out of my line of sight. Williams stands a distance from Horton and although I try not to look at Rose’s father, I do. His eyes are unwavering and intense, they narrow as he scowls at me. I keep breathing to keep my temper in check. I can’t react. It will do no good. The sooner they’re gone the better.

“We’re sorry to interrupt your evening, Mr Crossley.” Pittensburg tips a uniformed baseball-style hat in my direction as Rose comes back through the doorway.

“No bother. It’s best to ensure someone is safe, and as you can see, Rose is.” Every part of me wants to rip Horton a new one, but it will do no good here.

“Have a good evening,” Pittensburg says as he backs away from the door.

“You can’t just leave her here,” Horton barks.

“They aren’t breaking any laws, Mr Horton.”

Before another word is spoken, I push the door closed and turn towards Rose, who has her arms crossed defensively in front of her chest.

“And so it begins,” she mumbles before retreating towards the staircase I thought she’d gone up previously.

“Did you find the room okay?” I ask, following.

“I didn’t make it there … I waited at the top of the staircase.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Rose swings her hips in a hypnotic way as she takes each stair in front of me. The navy dress she’s wearing accentuates her curves and is fitted with perfection to her well-structured silhouette … must be custom designed. All Rose’s outfits fit her like a glove.

Bending at her waist, Rose retrieves her overnight bag from the landing and before long she’s standing by the door leading into my bedroom. Rose doesn’t rotate her body towards me. Instead, she twists her head to speak over her shoulder, “Are you sure you’re okay with me staying in here tonight?”

“Yes, Rose, I’m sure.” Flicking a switch on my way through the walk-in robe has Rose halting. “It’s a strange design with the wardrobe being the entrance, right?”

“It is.” She takes in the large space. “It’s definitely a female’s wardrobe, though. It’s quite bare, with only your belongings taking up the space.” There’s not much filling the racks or shelving.

“Yeah, clothes aren’t my thing.”

“What is your thing?” she says, starting forwards once more.

“Motorbikes, I guess.”

“Do you own a motorbike? I haven’t seen you riding one.”

“Not yet, but it’s on the way. My dream bike ... it’s worth the wait.”

“Seems like you’re getting everything you’ve dreamt of, Finlay.”

“Not everything,” I say, switching on a secondary light that allows us to see in the main area of the bedroom. Rose scans the environment as she lays her bag down against the navy comforter on the bed.

“It’s also very plain in here. Come to think of it, all of the place I’ve seen is quite bare boned.”

“I like it uncluttered,” I retort.

“It’s nice,” she says. “I’d like to take a bath, if it’s possible.”

“Sure. Give me a moment to get you some fresh towels and start the water. Would you like to use the spa or just the tub?”

“Bathtub will be fine if it’s fine with you for me to do so.”

“Sure.”

Leaving Rose by the bed, I whip into the bathroom and do a quick check that everything is in order. It is. I only need to place a couple of fresh towels on the vanity for her, which I do, before turning on the taps. I haven’t used the tub or the spa for that matter, so I’ve no idea how long it takes to fill. It looks deep and well-spaced, so I assume a while.

“Rose, how do you take a bath? Like, what temperature do you like it?”

“Just warm, please.”

“Okay.” I twist the gold levers of both the hot and cold taps to the mid-point of their rotation. This should achieve a warm temperature, I hope. I open all the cabinetry, searching for some sort of girly bath wash or bubble bath. Of course I don’t have any.

“What are you doing?”

“Sorry, what?” I crawl backwards before closing the empty bottom cupboard I crouched down to reach.

“What are you doing on the floor?”

“Nothing.” I almost jump to my feet before straightening, then glance in the direction of where I believe Rose to be standing, fully expecting her to be clothed, but she’s not. Instead, she’s only wearing a matching navy lace underwear set. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I shield my eyes.

“For what?” she asks.

“I wasn’t … I thought you’d still … I’ll leave you to it,” I stutter.

“Fin, you saw me in my bikini only days ago. It’s no different to underwear. It’s not like I’m naked.”

“No. It’s not.” I keep my eyes turned away. “I don’t have any of that girly bath shit you probably want.”

She laughs. “It’s okay. I have some with me.”

“Good. Well, have a relaxing bath. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thank you.”

I’m quick to hightail it out of the bathroom and back down to the lower level. Rose is a no-go zone for me, and when I see her body like that, all I want to do is go into that zone.

Laying a pillow and a throw blanket I borrow from Tessa onto the lounge, I proceed to turn on the television, ensuring to keep the volume at a low level.

“Do I even have a sports channel on this thing?” I mutter, flicking from one station to another.

I’m lucky, because I manage to locate a Formula One race, but before I get too comfortable, I’m forced to make room for Roxie, who appears out of nowhere.

“Is Tessa sleeping, Rox?”

Roxie tucks herself between my hip and the bottom of my rib cage as I lie on my side.

“I guess you’re both sleeping now,” I mumble as her eyes close.

We are getting down to the final five laps in the race when music begins playing. I’ve no idea where it’s coming from, but quickly figure out it’s a ringing phone with a ringtone I’m not familiar with. “Roxie, move,” I speak softly.

She, of course, ignores me, so I pick her up, and once I’m upright, I place her on top of the blanket.

Following the direction of the sound has the music stopping abruptly, but I believe it was coming from the games room, so I continue my investigation. Sure enough, Rose’s mobile phone is sitting on the poker table where she left it. The question is, do I bother taking it up to her, or do I leave it and tell her about the call in the morning? Hell, I’ll take it up, and if she doesn’t answer the door, I’ll put it on the breakfast bar for her to find later.

“Hey, Tank.” Alan passes by me on his crutches as I make my way back from the games room.

“Hey, kid.”

“Grabbing a snack. Do you want one?”

“No. I’m good, mate.”

“I’m nearly done for the night—just finishing off some study. What are you doing?”

“Watching Formula One. A few laps to go.” I point towards the television.

“Cool. Well, night, Tank.”

“Night, mate.”

Alan hops into his room and just as he closes his door, Tessa’s door opens.

“Tess, everything okay?”

“It’s only Caterina,” the nurse says, making her way towards the kitchen.

“Hi, I didn’t know you were here tonight. Where’s Deidre, the new nurse who was supposed to be starting tonight?”

“I swapped with her for her first week, so I’m the new night nurse. I have exams in the mornings for my degree and it means if she does the days and I do the nights, I can study.”

“Tess is fine with this?” I’m surprised nobody told me about the swap.

“Yes, she is.”

“Excellent.”

“What are you watching?” She rests her hands on her hips.

“Formula One.” I point again towards the television.

“I never understand those car racing things. They drive loop to loop around and around in circles … I don’t find it entertaining.”

“No, you’re more a Days of Our Lives type of girl, I believe.”

“Exactly.” She smiles. “Well, I’m grabbing a snack and then going back to hit the books. I think I’m going to move all my stuff into your games room so I don’t wake Tessa, if that’s okay with you?

I nod.

“Thank you. Well, have a good night.”

“Will do.”

Watching Caterina navigate around the kitchen has me rethinking whether it’s a good idea to take Rose’s phone up to her with everyone roaming the house. It might look like something is happening that isn’t. When the door to Tessa’s room closes after Caterina walks through, I begin to approach the staircase without thought. Rose is probably asleep, unlike all the other residents of this house … I should leave it for tonight.

Heading back towards the couch has the phone ringing again, this time in my hand. I look at the screen and the word ‘MARANDA’ flashes across it. Who’s Maranda? Is this one of her sisters?

Leaping the stairs two at a time, I come to stand by the bedroom door with the phone still playing out its tune while cupped in my palm.

I knock lightly. “Rose, your—”

“Come in,” she calls out.

“Okay.” Slowly pressing the bedroom door open, I see the room is still lit and realise Rose hasn’t been asleep at all. “Your phone was ringing.”

“I heard,” she whispers.

Rose stands still by the window wearing a short black negligee. She looks beautiful, and as hard as it is to look away, I do, until I realise she has the blind drawn and is gazing in its direction. Fuck!

“I’ll leave your phone on the bed for you.”

“Finlay?” she says, questioning.

“Yes, Rose.”

“I can see my bedroom window from here. I can also see my sister sitting on my bed.”

“Oh, can you?” Double fuck!

“Yes.”

“Maranda, possibly? It’s the name that flashed on the screen of your phone when it was ringing. I wasn’t being nosey … It caught my eye.”

“Did you know …” She stops speaking before rotating her head until we make eye contact.

What I do know is I’m looking guilty as shit right now. “I did know I can see your bedroom window from mine, Rose.”

“Finlay, have you seen me—”

“Yes.” It’s barely audible. I’m not going to lie to her.

“Huh.” She takes two steps forwards, and I take one step back.

“Rose.”

“How often have you seen me—”

“Seen you naked?”

Her eyes widen to saucers. “Yes.” Her voice cracks. She clears her throat.

“A fair bit. I swear I didn’t know it was you at first—”

“But you’ve seen me naked?”

“Yes.” I drop my head so I don’t have to look in her eyes as they fill with deep betrayal.

“Huh. Well …” She pauses. “Drop your pants,” she speaks calmly.

“Sorry, what?” My head launches upright.

“If you’ve seen me naked, it’s only fair I see you, don’t you agree?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You heard me.” She glares at me.

“I’m not stripping naked—”

“Yes. You are. You invaded my privacy, so now I’m going to invade yours.”

“Rose. Come on. I’m really very sorry. As I said, I had no clue it was you at first, and when I figured it out I …”

“Stopped?”

Shit! “Well, no. But in my defence, I never continued to pry when you had company.”

“When Slade would come over.”

“Yes.”

“How gentlemanly of you.” She’s being sarcastic. “Take your clothes off.” If her eyes could shoot lasers, I’d have a hole burnt through my forehead.

“Rose. I wasn’t doing it only for pleasure, I promise you. It’s just you always look so free and relaxed … and pure when …”

“Well, let me see if you look free and relaxed … and pure when you’re taking your clothes off.” More sarcasm.

“You’re joking, right?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?”

“No.”

“Close the bedroom door.”

I can hear the grinding of her teeth after she says this. Rose is mad, even though she’s speaking with a calm tone. Fuck!

With the door closed, I make my way back into the room and stand before her as she lowers herself down on the edge of the bed.

“Rose.” I throw my hands into the air.

“I’m waiting.” Rose looks even more beautiful when a small wrinkle appears at the top of her nose … Oh crap, she’s scowling. “You were watching me …”

“I know what I was doing.”

“Well. Do as I’ve asked of you, please.”

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Reaching for the collar of the white T-shirt covering my torso, I reef the material over my head until it’s free from my body. I take no time in slipping the band of my shorts away from my waist until I’m left standing in only my boxer shorts.

I hear Rose swallow, and before I start to remove the only remaining material I have covering my manhood I say, “Are you sure you want me to?”

“Yes.” It’s barely audible.

Ripping off a Band-Aid—that’s exactly how I approach the situation. I lower them fast.

Rose doesn’t look at first. She keeps her eyes planted to mine.

“Are you happy?”

When her eyes scan downward, I begin to feel vulnerable. I know she’s taking in every inch of me. I wonder what she thinks about piercings.

“Turn around.”

“Are you …?”

“Turn around.” Her tone is demanding.

I do. I face the very window I’ve stared through many nights to watch Rose do this exact same thing. What if her sister sees me? Shit. “Rose, what if your sister sees me and—”

“I never did, so I find it unlikely. However, if she does, I guess it’s no different than what you did with me.”

Fuck.

“Turn back now.”

I do.

Rose is flushed when I come to look at her once more. “We’re even.”

“I can redress?”

“Yes.” She swallows.

Slipping my boxers back into place before grabbing the T-shirt and shorts from the floor has me again offering my apologies to Rose, but all she says is, “We’re even.”

I’m quick to make my exit.