Page 15 of Shades of Loyalty
My breath catches as we step inside. The place is even more extravagant than I expected. The walls are lined with portraits—some clearly decades old, others more recent.
Every face staring back shares something with him. The same sharp features. The same eyes. The same quiet intensity.
We walk down a hallway that seems to stretch forever before he opens another door, revealing a breathtaking dining hall.
My eyes widen as I take it all in. The high ceilings, the intricate chandeliers, the long-polished table that looks like it can seat an entire army, everything about this room is immaculate.
“What do you use this room for?” I ask, still marveling at its grandeur.
His brows furrow slightly. “For… eating?”
“You’re telling me you don’t use this room for, like, dances or parties or anything?” I tease, the first hint of humor escaping me since this nightmare began.
A small smile tugs at his lips. “We don’t really do parties. We have another large hall like this in the basement, butthat’s only used for storage purposes. We eat here or do like… I don’t know, maybe birthday parties. But nothing special.”
Sure. Nice. You own a huge mansion like this and don’t allow yourself to have fun? I simply nod in response, my curiosity piqued despite knowing he’s probably talking about storing fucked up things like drugs or weapons.
“Sit down, Jennifer,” he says, pulling out a chair for me. His tone shifts to something more serious.
“Before we discuss the important things, I want you to meet my mother. She’ll be the one picking up your daughter, so I figured you’d want to meet her first.”
Finally, a woman living here. Despite the obvious comfort I find in the gender whichisn’tcalled male, I know one thing for sure.
If I have just the smallest bad feeling around this woman, I for sure will not let her step evennearmy daughter.
Chapter Seven
Daniel
The moment Jennifer sits down and shrugs off her white coat, the doors creak open, then shut again with a soft thud—the sound echoing through the room.
I exhale quietly, comforted by the voice that follows. I don’t even have to look. I already know who it is.
Of course, she’d know we’re here. She’s scary sometimes, having eyes and ears everywhere. But fuck, am I glad she’s here now.
“Daniel, you’re finally home! I’ve waited all morning; Hayden wouldn’t tell me what’s—” Her yapping suddenly stops as she sees Jennifer.
“Oh my, hello my dear!” She smiles at her instantly, and to my surprise, Jennifer smiles right back. But this time, it’s a genuine smile. Not like the one she gives me, whichis filled with worry and anxiety. Well, fuck. She’s absolutely mesmerizing with that smile of hers.
My mom turns her head to me and gives me that smile— the one that makes me pretty sure she thinks Jennifer is my girlfriend… She’s just like my brother, always trying to ensure that I continue our family tree. I try to show her it’s not like that, but even then, she won’t listen anyway.
“You look gorgeous, how did you two meet?” my mom begins to question Jennifer as she sits down.
Fuck. I can’t help but smile. The situation I’m in is fucked up, but the way they interact makes my heart— no.
Not happening. Not today, and especially not with her. Fuck that.
I clear my throat loudly as I take a seat next to Jennifer, facing my mother. “Mom, listen.”
Mom looks at me, and although she’s my mother, I know she respects me. She knows that I’m the boss, and that sometimes, it’s serious.
She’s not scared of me, nor is she scared of my dad. Hell, it’d be terrible.
But she does know that the men in our family often have important things to do, so whenever I get serious with her, she knows just how to react. That’s why I love her so much.
She can be a loving mother and a good wife all at once. And besides that, she respects her children.
Don’t know how my father did it, but he got a treasure by his side. I will forever be grateful to have women like her and my sister in my life.
