Spark (Steel Brothers Saga 19)

I begin in the shower, which is bigger than my whole bathroom at home. Next to the shower is a jacuzzi bathtub. A sex bathtub. That’s what I call those kind of tubs. Big enough for a threesome for sure.

Damn. Why did I have to have that thought? Donny’s a known womanizer. He’s probably had a threesome. Maybe even a foursome.

Geez.

The tub is sparkling, however. As I suspected, Donny’s a shower guy. I can’t imagine him lounging in a bubble bath by himself.

Though I wouldn’t mind him lounging in a bubble bath with me.

I open the thick glass door to the shower. It’s in good shape, given Donny’s only been home a few days and he spent last night in Aspen with me. Only a few stray blond hairs. Still, I disinfect the floor and walls, scrub the glass door until it shines. He uses American Crew three-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Very Donny Steel.

Next, I tackle the counter and double sinks. Donny clearly uses the sink closer to the shower, as that’s where his cologne and toothpaste sit. My reflection stares back at me in the mirrored cabinet on the wall above the sink.

Without thinking, I open the cabinet.

I’m just cleaning, right?

Inside is some ibuprofen and a glasses case. Does Donny wear contacts? I don’t know. These could just be readers, but why are they in the medicine cabinet?

No, Donny doesn’t wear contacts. If he did, I’d see contact lens supplies somewhere in the bathroom, and there aren’t any.

I absently pick up the glasses case and open it.

I widen my eyes. Inside is not a pair of glasses but a key.

It looks like a key to a safe-deposit box somewhere.

Again, nothing odd. Lots of people have safe-deposit boxes.

Lots of people don’t hide the keys in a glasses case, though. Or do they? I don’t have a clue.

“Not your business, Callie,” I say aloud again.

I close the case and replace it on the shelf, close the door to the mirrored cabinet, and then spray Windex and wipe it until it’s free of all streaks.

Already the guilt is eating at me.

I give the floor of the bathroom a quick once-over and gather the cleaning supplies. I need to get out of here before my curiosity compels me to snoop further.

So he has a safe-deposit box. So he keeps the key in a glasses case.

So what?

I gather everything and leave Donny’s bedroom quickly. Rory and Mom are still in the kitchen. I hold up the bucket.

“Where does this go?” I ask.

“Not sure,” Rory says. “Darla gave me everything before she retired to her room.”

“I hate to bother her, but I don’t want to just leave it out for her to put away later.”

“Your call,” Mom says. “She probably won’t consider it a bother. Her room is down the other hallway at the very end. It goes off on another wing. Sort of.”

I nod. I’m familiar with that hallway. The library is there. But I didn’t realize there was another wing. This house goes on forever.

“Jade told me they added the servants’ wing after Diana was born,” Mom continues. “They needed a live-in nanny for the kids.”

Of course. A live-in nanny. Makes sense, when you’re billionaires.

I carry the bucket and begin my walk down the hallway, inching closer to the closed door of the library with each step. Funny how the doors all loom in the distance, as if my perspective is being challenged.

Then in a flash I’m past the library. Things return to normal, and at the end of the hallway, I veer slightly right.

Here it is. The servants’ quarters. I feel like I’m in a Victorian novel or something. Who has servants’ quarters these days?

Quick answer—the Steels.

Darla’s is slightly ajar. I knock quietly. “Darla?”

“Yeah?” comes her voice. “Come in.”

“Sorry to bother you. Rory wasn’t sure where these supplies go.”

“Just set them down. I’ll take care of it.”

“Please. I don’t want you to bother. Just tell me where.”

“You’re very sweet. There’s a supply closet on the other side of the hallway. It’s the only unlocked door.”

“Got it. Thanks, Darla. Again, sorry to bother you.”

“You’re no bother, Miss Callie. Have you heard anything else about Mr. Talon?”

“Nothing new. I don’t want to text Donny and bother him.”

“I’m sure he’ll tell us if anything changes. Thank you again for all your help.”

“We’re happy to do it. Let us know if you need anything else, okay?”

“For sure.”

I close the door and leave Darla in peace. Her eyes were red and puffy. I wonder if we did the wrong thing, taking over for her. Now she has nothing to do but worry and feel sad.

I let out a heavy sigh.

Funny. You do what you feel is right.

When it could very well be wrong.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Donny

My phone buzzes at six a.m., and I jolt out of bed.

“Hello?” I nearly scream into the phone until I realize it’s the alarm, not the ringer.