Buttons and Grace (Buttons 6)

“No, you aren’t. All you care about is yourself.”

Her eyes snapped wide again. “If I only cared about myself, I would have run away a long time ago. I stayed to help my friend Lizzie. How dare you call me selfish when I was raped every single day just for the slim possibility that it could save her. I’m much braver than you’ll ever be, Cane.” She flashed me a hostile look of disappointment before she stepped back. “When I tell Pearl and Crow, they won’t let you do this.”

I shook my head. “They won’t interfere.”

“You bet your ass, they will.”

“When you last saw Crow, do you remember what you said to him?”

Her expression shifted at my words. She stared at me with suspicion, like she didn’t know why there’d been a sudden change.

“You told him you were in debt to him for what he did for you. Why didn’t you say the same to me?”

Her eyes fell.

I repeated the question. “Why didn’t you say the same to me, Adelina?” I stepped closer to her, my shadow covering her. “Why does he get your debt, but I don’t? I was the one who begged him to help me. I was the one who lost ten million dollars. I was the one who handed over my business to protect you.” I pressed my face closer to hers. “Answer me.”

“I am grateful for what you did, Cane. I never said I wasn’t.”

“Tell me you’re indebted to me,” I whispered. “If there’s anything I ever need, you’ll make it happen.”

She stared at me silently.

“Say it.”

“Thank you for saving me, Cane. If there’s anything I can do, let me know…”

“Thank you for the offer,” I said coldly. “There is something you can do for me. You’re going to be mine—for the rest of your life.”

* * *

Crow sat on the couch across from me in his study and set the decanter of scotch on the table. He still wasn’t drinking, but he wouldn’t deny me the pleasure. The flames burned in the fireplace even though it was midafternoon. Crow was still weak, but at least he could get around the house now.

I made myself a drink and let it slide down my throat.

Crow watched me with a dark expression.

“I’m not trying to rub it in, I promise.”

Crow leaned back and rubbed his fingers against his temple. “I can’t remember the last time I had a drink. My liver is confused.”

“Good. Maybe you’ll live a little longer.”

“I don’t know. I should have died a long time ago.”

I chuckled. “We both should have.”

When Crow shifted his position on the couch, he stiffened in pain for a moment. His jaw tightened, and a look of displeasure spread across his face.

“How are you coming along?”

“It’s alright,” he said quietly. “Just bored.”

“I thought we could start on the new site for the vineyard.”

“Pearl wouldn’t go for that.”

I opened the folder I brought with me and set it in front of him. “I mapped out the best locations based on soil quality, tourism, etc. Some of the prime spots are more expensive, but I think they’ll be worth it. The last one is the best choice. It’s only twenty miles east of here.”

Crow looked over my selection silently. He flipped through each page, his face a wall of stoicism. “I’m surprised you did all this research. With Adelina around, I didn’t think you’d have the time.”

“I can only fuck that woman so many times.”

Crow’s eyes flicked up to mine at my choice of words. I didn’t talk about Adelina that way to anyone, just as he didn’t talk about Pearl. But now, she didn’t mean anything to me. I didn’t respect her, not when she’d cut me so deeply. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah.” I took another drink. “What do you think about the last one?”

His eyes returned to the folder. “It’s a good choice. I think we should do it.”

“I can put the bid in and make the arrangements.”

“I need to see it first.”

“Then let’s go.”

“I can’t,” he said with a sigh. “Until these stitches come out, I’m not moving.”

“Since when did Pearl start running the show?”

He shrugged. “Since the day I met her, probably.”

I chuckled. “At least you admit it.”

“How are things going with Adelina? Is she adjusting…?”

“She’s fine.” I took another drink, covering up the annoyance I felt toward her.

Crow saw the anger in my eyes when no one else picked up on it. “Why do you get so tense every time she’s mentioned?”

“Maybe because I don’t want to talk about her.”

Crow rubbed his jaw as he studied my features. “What happened, Cane?”

“Nothing. I’ll talk to Pearl about letting you see that property with me.”

“You don’t need to ask her permission. That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“I agree that I shouldn’t go anywhere. Until I’m in the clear, I shouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary bacteria. I haven’t gotten an infection, and I want to keep it that way.”