Chapter Nineteen
“My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Jane Austen
Pride And Prejudice
The next morning he was showered and out the door before nine. He’d returned to Isadora’s house late last night, but she was as responsive as the day before. It was his day to volunteer at The Women’s House, so Isadora expected him not to linger.
As he got on the road, he pointed his car toward the city. Unsure where he’d find the one person he needed, he dialed Scout.
“Hello?”
“Scout?”
“Parker? Is everything all right?”
“Yes. I need to speak to Lucian.”
There was a long pause followed by a skeptical, “Why?”
“I…” God, some things were never easy. “I need his help with something.”
“Okay,” she said slowly. “He’s in the shower. Do you want me to have him call you?”
“I need to see him. Are you in the city or at the estate?”
“We’re at the hotel right now.”
Not a place he relished visiting. “Could you have him meet me in the lobby in about twenty minutes? Let him know I’m on my way. It’s important.”
“Sure, but Parker… What’s going on?”
“I just … need…” Fuck. He grit his teeth. “His help with something.”
The closer he drove to the city the more he questioned his sanity. As he pulled up in front of the prestigious hotel, a valet met him at his door.
“Good morning, monsieur. Checking in or visiting?”
My, how things could change in the blink of an eye. “Just visiting.”
The valet handed him a gold ticket and Parker stepped aside, letting him behind the wheel. He walked up the pristinely swept sidewalk and stilled, his eyes staring at the long red runner with gold fringe. God, he hated this place.
For whatever reason, stepping on that damn rug felt wrong. Every time he’d ever crossed that threshold his world got knocked on its ass.
Rolling his eyes, he marched over the carpet and through the gaping doors. It was a fucking rug.
The scent of citrus furniture polish and coffee welcomed guests, as his gaze drifted over an antique table occupying the center of the lobby, towering almost six feet with Danishes and croissants. He looked for any signs of Scout or Lucian in the crowd of people moving toward the restaurant.
The bay of elevators pinged and he turned and sighed. He was glad to see her first and this time he noted how thick her waist was. “Scout.”
She was definitely pregnant. How had he missed that the other night? Not only did she have a bump, she was glowing.
She smiled. “Hey, Park.” Offering him a quick hug, she stepped back. “Is everything okay? You were sort of cryptic on the phone.”
He smiled, his purpose sidetracked. “You’re pregnant. Really pregnant.”
Her cheeks flushed, those crystal eyes turning shy. “I thought you knew?”
He shook his head. “I thought you looked different, but I guess I wasn’t paying enough attention. How do you feel? Are you … happy?”
She had never wanted children, having had a trying time being one, but he supposed people changed. He at least hoped so because she was definitely going to be a parent in the near future.
“I’m very happy.” Her hand rested over the bump at her waist and he laughed, she looked so … normal. Like a mom.
A strange relief filled him, as though a worry he’d carried for years could now be put down. It was a forlorn sort of lightness, but one that wasn’t really sad at all. Despite all his doubts and skepticism, he honestly believed her life was right and her heart would always be safe with Lucian.
“Then I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.” She turned and glanced at the elevators. “Lucian should be down in a minute.”
Of course, he wouldn’t offer Parker an invitation into their private space. He chuckled. Things seemed so different, yet some things never changed.
“Will you stay?” He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to. Some things were better off private.
Her head tilted as she considered his question. Before she could answer the elevator doors opened again.
The sharp, arrogant click of Italian loafers had Parker drawing in a steady breath. Lucian didn’t intimidate him. Parker simply loathed asking him a favor.
This isn’t about you.
The air thickened, compressed by the weight of the other man’s ego and Parker’s mouth tightened. “Patras.”
“Hughes.”
Scout moved to Lucian’s side and her husband’s expression immediately softened. Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “I’m going to say hi to Patrice and the girls at the salon. Will you order me some French toast?”
“Extra strawberries?”
She smiled, their gazes holding countless secrets as they looked into one another’s eyes. “Yes, please.”
As she stepped away, she squeezed Parker’s arm. “Play nice.”
He watched her go, noting how well she fit in with all the luxury, with Lucian Patras. He turned back to the other man. “Congratulations on the baby.”
Dark eyes studied him. “Thank you.” He glanced at the restaurant. “Shall we?” He strode away, not waiting for Parker’s response.
They sat in the back of the restaurant far from other patrons. The service was fluid and flawless, great care taken to meet the owner’s needs.
Once the preliminaries were handled, Lucian eyed him suspiciously and got right to business. “Why are you here, Hughes?”
“I need you to give something to your sister.”
He arched a brow. “Isadora?”
“Yes.”
Parker reached into his pocket and withdrew a long envelope, her name scrolled generically across the front in handwriting nothing like his own. He slid it across the table, but Lucian merely glanced at the envelope with disregard.
“What is it?”
“It’s a letter. I need you to give it to her and not say where you got it, only that it was left on your desk.”
“You mistake me for a messenger.”
“I know exactly who you are, Patras. Hide behind as many power suits as you want, I see the real you.”
His black eyes narrowed. “And what is it you think you see?”
“A man who loves his sisters and his wife and will do anything for them. Your sister needs this letter and I can’t be the one who gives it to her.”
He glanced at the letter. “What’s it say?”
“None of your business.”
Lucian flicked the envelope back to him. “Give it to her yourself.”
Parker gritted his teeth. “I’m telling you she needs this. Are you really going to let your arrogance stand in the way of necessity when it comes to those you love? Some things are worth more than pride.”
“You trust me not to open it?”
He hesitated. “I’m trusting you now, in this instance, because I’m asking you to trust that I know Isadora—in some ways better than you—and this is something she needs.”
There was a long silence and, finally, Lucian picked up the envelope and placed it in his breast pocket. “I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll do what’s right. I believe that.” Scanning the restaurant for Scout and not seeing her, he finished his coffee and stood. “Enjoy your breakfast.”
“Hughes.”
He paused, accustomed to men like Lucian always claiming the last word.
“You hurt her and I won’t hesitate to destroy you.”
“I ever hurt her, you have my full permission to do your worst.”
Lucian nodded and Parker left, not drawing in a full breath until he strode through the lobby and his feet crossed the tasseled runner. It was done.