ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (141 page)

“I knew he was a keeper.”  Constantine said and winked at Taylor.  “Let’s go up and start dismantling my room.”

“Wait!”  Taylor held up her hands.  “We haven’t decided when the ceremony is happening!” 

Greta walked in with a load of laundry in her arms, heading for the adjacent laundry room.  She stopped and stared at them. 

“What?”

“Taylor was just saying how we need a date for the ceremony.” 

Greta smiled.  “I need three days only, but if you want a real wedding cake, you best call a bakery right now!” 

“What does she need three days for?”  Jason asked with a yawn. 

“Food.” 

Jason frowned.  “It’s only us and a preacher, right?”

Namir looked at Taylor with a concerned expression.  “You think the suite will be ready in three days?” 

“You can do it.”  She smiled and patted his chest. 

Jason stood and grabbed Namir by the arm.  “Come on, lover boy, we better get to some stores and you both need to get the license.”

Harrison answered his phone on the third ring, glaring at his mother for sitting idly by and letting it ring. 

“Hello?”

“It’s Taylor.”

Harrison paused from running a towel over his hair and blinked.  “Hi.”

“I want to talk to you and Odessa.”

Odessa uncrossed her legs and sat forward on her chair.  Harrison glanced at her.  “Ok.  Should we come there?”

“No.  Meet me at The Oaklands.”

“The marina?”

“Yes.  I’ll be there at two.” 

“Ok, sure.”  Harrison said and ended the call. 

“Well?” 

“She wants to meet us at The Oaklands restaurant at two.”

Odessa sat back with a satisfied smile on her face.  “Children always come home.” 

Harrison stared into space.  “We aren’t her family, though.”

Odessa stood, and glided past him.  “We’re her blood.  That’s always what matters.”

“I don’t like this, Taylor.”

Taylor chewed on her bottom lip.  She didn’t like it either, but she couldn’t leave a string this large hanging out of her life. 

The Oaklands Restaurant was a gray and white wonder sitting on a pier directly over the water, and the inside was medium browns with white accents.  The nautical feel and slight décor in the same manner was stunning.  Namir was getting used to the finery of the rich, but this place was classy without pomp. 

Taylor chose a table for four in the center of the wall of windows.  They would be hard to miss.  Neither of them spoke as they waited. 

At precisely two, Odessa and Harrison walked onto the compass inlaid in the floor and made their way to the table.  Namir stood and held the chair out for Odessa. 

“Thank you.”

Harrison nodded to Namir awkwardly and barely spoke to Taylor.  He looked pale and miserable. 

“I’m shocked you wanted to see me.”  Odessa purred. 

“I have questions.”

“I’m sure.”

“For starters, what are you?”

Namir looked at her sharply.  She couldn’t possibly know!

“You mean my race?”

“Yes.”              

Odessa smiled and smoothed her slender hands over the dark green fabric of her dress.  She paused as the waiter took their drink orders before continuing.  “I’m French and Haitian mostly, but the Haitian is only a quarter.” 

“So that makes me part Haitian too.”  Taylor seemed to be thoughtfully pondering it.  “I don’t look much like it.” 

“No.”  Odessa replied dryly.  “You and Harrison look like Tony.  Especially the eyes.” 

Harrison met Taylor’s gaze.  He spoke softly.  “Can you tell me something about my father?” 

Taylor smiled sadly.  “He was a gentleman.  He almost always wore linen suits in the summer, and heavier ones in the winter.”  She paused, looking into Harrison’s earnest face.  “He was a good father.”  Her next statement was startling honest.  “I wish you could have known him.” 

“Yes.  So do I.”  Odessa’s face was a mask of contempt. 

Taylor narrowed her eyes, just as the waiter returned with their drinks.  “You’re a fine one to talk!” 

The waiter raised his eyebrows and quickly dispersed the beverages.  “I’ll just give you all a little more time.” 

Taylor resumed her sentence.  “You could have forced my father’s hand!” 

“He made the decision!” 

Taylor shook her head coldly.  “No, he made you an offer.  I knew my father.  He would have never refused to know Harrison.  He would have sucked up the consequences with Constantine and just moved on!”

“Oh you think so?”

“Yes!  I do!”  Realization spread across Taylor’s face.  “You black mailed him.”  She nearly whispered.  “You chose the money…you…”  The possible scenario was coming to her rapidly.  “You thought up the whole thing!  The orphanage scam for me was all your idea!  You wanted a bargaining chip, so you kept one child for good measure!  Right?  Right?”

Odessa clapped her hands lightly.  “My goodness, but you are bright.” 

Harrison’s form was becoming smaller and smaller.  His forehead broke out in a sweat.  “Mom, please tell me this isn’t true.”  His voice was broken and distant, although he sat at the same table.  Taylor felt pity for him. 

“Shut up, Harrison, this doesn’t concern you.” 

Harrison sucked in a shaky breath.  “The hell it doesn’t.”

Odessa languidly moved her dark eyes to him.  “What?”

“You fed me lies my whole life!  You told me my father didn’t want me…that he chose Taylor over me!”

The waiter returned and looked helplessly at them.  Namir stood and forced a bill in his hand.  “We won’t be eating.”  He whispered.  The waiter nodded and looked at the hundred dollar bill. 

“Will you need refills?”

Namir shook his head.  “I doubt it.”

Harrison ran both hands through his hair, causing the ends to stick out in odd angles.  “You had me convinced that Taylor was a spoiled brat!”  He held a hand towards her.  “Look at her!  She’s poised and graceful!”

“I was a brat, Harrison, after Dad died, but I’m over that now.” 

“Whatever!”  He pinned his nonplussed mother again with desperate eyes.  “You forced me to live a lie!  What did you do with all the money?”

“We lived off of it!”

“Oh I get it.  The money’s gone, and you want more, right?” 

“There’s your trust fund.”

Harrison turned up his glass and drained it.  “That’s my money, from my father.  You can’t have it.”  He stood abruptly and Taylor paused only briefly before following him. 

Namir looked at Odessa with his head cocked to the side.  “Does he even know what he is?”

“Of course he does!  I wouldn’t keep that gift from him!” 

Namir shook his head.  “Taylor needs to understand what she is!”  He hissed. 

Odessa leaned in.  “Does she even know what you are?” 

Namir leaned towards her too, his eyes bulging.  “Yes!”

Odessa straightened her body.  “Impressive.  She must have as much Fey as Harrison to accept it so willingly.” 

Namir stood with disgust.  “You’re a sick woman, Odessa Badon.”

A smirk was her only reply. 

Taylor caught Harrison by the sleeve of his jacket and turned him towards her.  “Harrison, wait!” 

Tears streamed from his eyes and fell from his chin in fat droplets.  “My whole life has been a lie!” 

“Mine too.”  Taylor replied quietly, and pulled a tissue from her purse.  “Here.”

“I’m not going home with her!”

“Harrison, I need to ask you an important question.” 

“Ok.”

“Have you ever intended to hurt me?  Have you ever sent me threatening letters or text messages?”

Namir appeared behind Taylor, watching Harrison’s face carefully. 

Harrison’s eyes looked angry.  “No!” 

“Did she?”

“Look, at this point I would say anything is possible.”

“You’re telling the truth.”  Namir said decidedly. 

Harrison looked at him incredulously.  “Well, thank you, wolf man!”  He couldn’t keep the bitter sarcasm from his voice, and regretted it.  “Sorry.” 

“I’ll let it pass this time.”

“Get your stuff from wherever you’re staying and come to my house.” 

Namir and Harrison both looked at her like she were mad. 

“I rented a house for a little while.” 

Taylor took Namir’s hand.  “Is it paid up?”

Harrison nodded. 

“Fine.  Let the wicked witch stay there.  I would like a chance to meet my brother.”  Taylor began walking and called over her shoulder.  “You know how to get there.  I’ll have Greta prepare a room.” 

Namir didn’t agree with what she was doing, but he was awed again by how amazing she really was. 

“You can’t be serious!”  Odessa screamed, as Harrison began taking his bags out to the car.

“The house is yours until the little temporary lease is up.” 

“What about our plan?”  She stomped after him, uncharacteristic of her normal composure. 

Harrison dropped his bags beside his car.  “It was always you’re plan, Mom.  I just wanted to know my sister, and now I can.”

Harrison got in the car and brought the engine to life.  His last look at her through the rearview mirror confirmed the bitter angry woman that she was.  It showed just how dangerous he suspected her to be. 

Greta moved about the second guest room nervously.  “No more strays!  The house is full!” 

“Greta.”  Taylor began patiently.  “I haven’t taken in any strays.  You can’t count Namir certainly, and Jason might as well be my uncle.” 

Greta sighed and gave the room one last once over.  “I hope he likes pale blue.” 

“I don’t think he’ll care.”

“What about the bathroom?  He doesn’t have one of his own.”

“It’s right there in the hallway.  He’ll be fine.  Besides, this is bound to be a temporary thing.” 

Greta snorted.  “We thought Jason was a temporary thing, now the pool house is full of his things and have you heard him blaring his precious record collection at two in the morning?”  She threw her hands up.  “I thought I was back in 1980 the other night!”

Taylor giggled.  “Don’t worry.  I suspect he and Mother will be shacking up soon enough.”

Greta rolled her eyes. 

Namir knocked on the door frame.  “He’s here.”

Taylor and Namir waited on the front steps as Harrison began pulling his belongings out of the car trunk.  Namir walked casually to him and took one of the bags.

“Thanks.”  Harrison said quietly. 

“We have a room ready.”  Taylor said and took one of the other bags.  “Let me show you.” 

They walked silently to the guest room, and much Taylor’s relief, Greta greeted Harrison with a warm smile.  “If you need extra towels, they’re in the hall closet.” 

“Thanks.” 

Taylor moved towards the door as Greta and Namir entered the hallway.  “Make yourself at home.  Greta will serve dinner around seven.”

“Ok.”  Harrison looked around the room appreciatively.  “This is really nice.”

“I’m glad you like it.  Come down when you’re ready.”

Harrison nodded as she shut the door.  He looked at the dresser across the room and the little shelf above it.  There were three framed pictures glinting in the light.  He took each one down in turn and looked at them.  One was of Taylor in a pink ballerina outfit.  The tutu was full and fluffy.  She looked to be no more than three.  The next was of Constantine in a bathing suit holding the hand of a slightly older Taylor.  The final one sent him to the end of the bed with a shuddering breath.  It was a picture of Tony Randall in a white suit holding Taylor on his shoulders.  He smiled into the camera and Harrison was struck by his pale gray eyes.  His pale gray eyes.  Harrison held the frame loosely in two fingers, letting it dangle between his legs, as he wept. 

“So, Harrison.  What’s Louisiana like?”  Constantine asked as she speared salad with her fork.  They all ate salad with grilled salmon, one of Taylor’s favorites.  

“Well, it’s hot.”  He laughed.  “Honestly, I like New York a lot better.” 

“So, you’ll stay a while?”  Constantine’s restraint was amazing to Taylor. 

“I’d like to.  I’ve waited a long time to meet Taylor.  I’m in no rush to go back, but I’ll see about a place of my own soon.”

Taylor shook her head.  “Stay as long as you want.  After all, we’ve both been victimized in this.”  She looked at Constantine.  “I guess she has been too.” 

“I would agree with that.”  Harrison said.  “I’m sorry I came here like I did.  I shouldn’t have done it my mother’s way.”