Page 6 of Home Again

Sebastian’s lip curled.

Gee’s gaze turned to him.

“Gee?” Sebastian asked.

“Gianna Prentiss,” she clarified as she began to unbutton her raincoat. “I’m renting the carriage house out back.” As she removed her coat she smiled up at Sebastian then walked over to the cubby near the laundry room and hung up her jacket. She walked back to stand in front of him.

“So Armand is your uncle, huh? I’ve been here for six weeks now and nobody’s mentioned you. What’s your name?” Her smile was thoughtful.

Sebastian shook his head at his uncle in disgust. So much for Southern hospitality; all he was doing was eating up Gianna with his eyes, but hadn’t bothered to even do any kind of basic introduction.

Asshat.

“It’s nice to meet you, Gianna,” Sebastian held out his hand. “I’m Sebastian Durand. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“That’s kind of an over-the-top reaction to somebody coming inside, isn’t it? Are you a cop or something?” There was no fear in her voice, only curiosity, which piqued his. After greeting her with a gun and towering over her, Sebastian would have thought that Gianna would have had a little more trepidation when interacting with him, but she seemed fine in his presence.

Interesting.

It was also interesting that his grandfather was renting out the carriage house. Yeah, the old man might always be looking to line his coffers for the next election, but he sure as hell didn’t need to be renting out the carriage house for cash. What the hell was up with this?

“Sebastian here is a war hero,” Armand said in a sing-song voice, and Sebastian winced.

Gianna gave Sebastian a sideways look. “You’re a veteran?” she asked.

“I’m active duty,” he answered. “Navy.”

She did a quick sweep of the kitchen and spied the plate on the table. “I’m assuming that’s your dinner I’m interrupting, right?” she asked with a kind smile. “I came up here to remind Armand to eat; without Lazar here he sometimes loses track of time and forgets to eat dinner.”

Armand stepped forward and put his arm around Gianna’s shoulder. She stiffened, and a quick flash of distaste crossed her face before it morphed into a smile. “Gee here keeps me in line.”

What the fuck?

Sebastian reached out and pulled Gianna’s hand so that she was forced out of his Uncle’s hold. “Why don’t all three of us sit down and enjoy some of Ophelia’s fried chicken?” he suggested. He tugged her with him toward the fridge. Satisfaction ran through his veins when he noted that she didn’t stiffen up when she followed him. Still, what kind of game is she playing?

This is one fucked-up place.