Filthy Lies (Blackstone Dynasty 2)

My brother wasn't a cold person. Circumstances had changed the façade he presented to the world to make him appear that way, though. Not all the time, but sometimes. There was history I knew nothing about, because he dropped the subject of Victoria Blakney flat dead and focused on piloting his helicopter instead.

Which was now taking us over the dark waters of Massachusetts Bay toward Blackstone Island. Made me wonder if there were dark waters between Lucas and Victoria. Two of my favorite people, so it bothered me to think there might be any kind of grief there. Did James know what was up with his little sister and my big brother? Time would only tell.

I fell asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves melding with the coastline where my brother's house perched just above it. Well, actually the sound of the ocean plus the memory of that last kiss from James before he let me go. The combination of the two must have been good medicine for me, because I woke up feeling wonderful and—for lack of a better word—hopeful.

Losing my father seven months ago had been devastating, and we all missed him terribly still, but we had known death would eventually claim him long before it finally did. The grieving had been present then. Coming out of the long period of illness that led to his passing went back nearly two years. So while it was hard being without him for holidays, I felt a peace within myself for the first time since he'd become sick. Dad was in a better place where he didn't suffer the pain of his cancer anymore, and I looked forward to celebrating him in memory now rather than focusing solely on the grief of being without him.

The opportunity to discuss with him my idea for founding a charitable organization would have been wonderful. Dad would've wanted every detail about my plans, and his interrogation would have been painfully—but helpfully—relentless. As a parent, he made sure we worked hard at whatever it was we wanted. No slackers allowed in this family he always said. We were taught to make goals and then to work toward achieving them. Money can be lost far more easily than it can ever be earned was another of his mantras, so I guess you could say we'd all been taught from birth that we needed to know where we were going—before it was ever possible to get there.

I felt like I finally knew where I wanted to go.

How fast I got there would depend on what I decided to do about the offer from James. Could I marry him to get access to my money? My heart wanted to, but I didn't know if my conscience could suffer through the guilt of doing something so selfish.

"What has you smiling this early in the morning?" Caleb asked wearily as he headed for the espresso machine, looking like he'd just rolled out of bed in a rumpled T-shirt and sweats. "I'm just the Starbucks stand-in for Brooke, because after I take her this coffee, I fully intend to go back to sleep."

The sight of my brother half-awake and up to get coffee for his beloved made me chuckle.

"Don't laugh," he grumbled.

"The two of you are adorable together. I'm just enjoying being witness to your transformation is all. Plus, you probably need some extra hours after all that mattress-dancing you two did last night. The ocean only drowns out so much."

He swung his head around and opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it, and perhaps even blushed a little.

"Kidding," I said, instantly feeling guilty for messing with him. "I was so exhausted, I heard nothing of your bedroom rodeo last night. I was busy sleep—"

"Going back to bed now, Winter," he said, stalking out of the kitchen, Brooke's espresso cradled carefully in his hands like it was precious cargo.

The simple encounter with my brother proved beyond a shadow of a doubt just how much he was in love with his Brooke. I sighed happily for the both of them and went back to prepping the turkey we'd eat later today.

The surgical gloves kept my incision from being exposed to any bacteria and kept it dry. So far it felt pretty normal other than a little achy in the vicinity of the cut, and I was grateful that it didn't appear I'd damaged anything permanently, like a nerve or tendon. It could have been so much worse.

Thank you, James Blakney.

As soon as the turkey was set in the oven, I headed to my room for a shower. I heard my phone chirp with a text notification the second I opened the door and stepped inside.

James: Someone is in very big trouble for not texting me last night.

Winter: OMG! I am so sorry. I was just so tired I forgot.

James: Glad u r safe but still in so much trouble.

Sweet Christ, it was hot when he turned all bossy and demanding with me. My hands shook as I decided how to reply.

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Winter: Oh really?

James: Oh yes, really.

Winter: Eeep! Is it bad I just wanted to see what would happen?

James: I guess u find out on Saturday night at the ball sweetheart.

Winter:

I waited a few minutes for another text from him but got nothing.

I had my shower and proceeded to prepare for the holiday with my family. I checked messages more than once over the course of the day and into the evening, but nothing more came from him.