I need to remember that someone has died. It’s hard to wrap my mind around any of this to begin with. Especially the part about me being left a property that is worth over forty million dollars. I can’t even begin to understand why. What’s the catch? There has to be one. I guess I’ll be finding out soon enough.
“Should we get some of your bags?” Cane asks, motioning toward the bank of elevators in the hotel lobby I’ve followed them into.
I think Frederick fell in love with him on the spot. I can’t really blame him. He’s handsome. He could easily be a GQ model. He's a bit too pretty for my taste, but I can definitely see the appeal. Then we have Calder, who is the exact opposite in looks. There is nothing pretty about him. He’s one hundred percent pure male that checks boxes I didn't know I needed checked till now.
“Right.” I nod. To be honest, I hadn’t even thought about getting my stuff. I watch as Cane hits the button for the elevator.
“Why do you live in a hotel?” Calder puts his hand on my back, guiding me into the elevator. My whole body heats at the small touch. He leaves his hand there even after the elevator doors close. I don't even try to move away, loving the way it feels. That’s not good.
“No place has ever really been home.” I shrug.
I turn my head away from him, feeling his eyes on me. I hate the rush of embarrassment I have over it. That no matter how much I try to hide it, the hurt I feel over my mom is still there.
Everyone knows of the Justice family. Not only are they loaded and Texas royalty but they are a close family. I was a bit surprised when I heard Mom went and landed one of them. I was even more shocked when I found out it was Earl Justice. There had been a big age gap between them, but that was nothing new for my mom. I guess Earl didn’t care that he was husband number five as long as he had some eye candy on his arm. Mom has always been beautiful.
It used to be strange to me that she had never been married to my father. It’s why I carried her maiden name of Rodgers. Not that it holds much weight anymore for either of us really. They all but sent Mom packing when she ended up pregnant. Her name had gotten a bit lost in the shuffle of changing it so many times. People often mistake me for her brother’s child.
Over the years, I’ve been able to piece together a few things about who my father might be. I know he is or was somewhat wealthy based on the trust fund I’d been set up with. It wasn't giant, but it took care of all of my education costs. It covered everything from boarding school to the best design college in Texas.
The sound of the elevator doors opening up breaks me from my thoughts. I don’t make a move to get out because I don’t want to lose Calder’s touch. I must really be desperate or starved of affection if a simple touch by a man is doing this to me. I need to get myself together.
“This is my floor.” I want to take the words back as soon as they leave my mouth. They probably think I’m an idiot. Of course this is my floor. The penthouse occupies the entire thing. Calder presses his hand into my back, firmly guiding me to move my feet.
“You okay?” Cane smirks at me.
“She’s fine. Go grab your things,” Calder answers for me. “Call for a luggage cart,” he orders Cane, who isn’t smirking anymore.
“I only need an overnight bag, right? I mean, I know I can be a bit extra, but I think I can manage a bag.” Okay, maybe two.
I have no idea what I’ll need there. I could get a ton of photos for my social media. I’ll need a chunk of clothing, shoes, and accessories for that. Guilt hits me at my own thoughts. Earl is dead, and all I can think about is work and what I need to do next to keep my footing. My eyes bounce between the two of them, waiting for an answer. Cane’s lips are now sealed.
“The will states you must stay for three months in order to collect your inheritance,” Calder finally responds. I must have heard him wrong because I could have sworn he just said I’d need to stay for three months instead of three days.
“Did you say I have to live at the ranch for three months?” Holy crap. I can’t stay there for that long. I’m sure the place is a beautiful paradise, but having to be around my mom that much might destroy me. Calder nods. “I don’t even understand why he gave it to me.” None of this makes sense.