Page 5 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Four

L ynix smiled to himself as he drove north along Sheridan Road toward his parents’ estate.

The picturesque views of Lake Michigan, just before nightfall, was a beautiful sight and matched his mood.

He always felt lighter after spending time with Dorian, whether alone or when they hung out with their five-month-old godchildren.

It had been an honor when Zion asked him months ago to be his twins’ godfather. Of course Lynix accepted. He loved kids, and those two were perfect little humans. He loved spending time with them and watching how they were growing and developing so fast.

Then there was the fact that Dorian was their godmother, which gave him more opportunities to see her.

That was probably why Lynix’s feelings for her were growing more intense so quickly.

He got to see the real her when she was with the babies and not being overshadowed by her large family.

Or running around taking care of things for her parents’ bed and breakfast where she worked.

Yeah, running into her today, with her looking absolutely gorgeous, and getting to spend a couple of minutes one-on-one with her, had been a treat. But he wanted more of her and more of her time.

Another glance at the lake gave him an idea. An early morning date with Dorian to see the sun rise over Lake Michigan would be perfect. Especially if they were on the roof top of his condo eating a light breakfast and drinking coffee. She would love that.

Lynix had planned his share of dinner, theater, and even weekend getaway dates. Yet, he had never looked forward to being with a woman the way he looked forward to being with Dorian.

Soon . He’d get his chance soon, but for right now, he needed to get mentally prepared to spend the evening with his parents. Specifically, his father.

His parents spent the winters in Palm Beach and had arrived in Chicago last night with intentions of staying in town a few months.

Hearing from his mother this morning, asking him to come for a late dinner tonight, hadn’t been a surprise.

Whenever she was in town, she insisted on seeing her boys, and she’d see him more often if it weren’t for his dad. Too bad they didn’t get along.

His mother, however, was his heart. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, even agree to spend a couple of hours with his father.

Just thinking about the man had Lynix gripping the steering wheel tighter.

It was because of his dad, Weston Mathews III, that Lynix had joined the police force. Mainly to piss him off.

Lynix grinned at the memory of the day he’d told the old man he wouldn’t be going into the family business.

Instead, he was joining Chicago PD. Talk about a legendary argument.

His pops had been livid. It was right after he’d graduated from college.

Instead of sticking to the plan that his pops had laid out for him, Lynix rebelled.

The old man had wanted all four of his sons to oversee the numerous businesses he had started or taken over.

Businesses that he had built over the years and turned into a multimillion-dollar family empire.

Everything from hotels to manufacturing companies, they had their hands in a lot and were very successful.

As the youngest, Lynix was the only one of his brothers who hadn’t fallen in line with their father’s plans, which also included him getting an MBA.

Not just a bachelor’s degree in business.

That had been one of many plans of his father’s Lynix had squashed, which was a big reason their relationship had been on shaky ground for much of his adult life.

As he neared his parents’ neighborhood, he turned the volume up on the radio.

He bobbed his head and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as Usher’s “Good Good” flowed through the car speakers.

Normally, he’d blast some rap music, the raunchier the better, to help get him into a certain frame of mind to deal with his father.

Not today, though. Today he was in too good of a mood for even his father to get on his nerves.

Lynix pulled up to the gated entrance of his parents’ home and punched in the code.

When the tall iron gates slid open, he drove along the tree-lined driveway until he reached the six-thousand square foot home.

Parking behind his oldest brother’s Range Rover, he realized another one of his brothers had arrived.

There was only one car in the long, circular drive that he didn’t recognize.

Lynix had barely made it to the door before it swung open, and his mother stood smiling in the doorway. Normally, the housekeeper would be the one opening the door. So this was a surprise.

“You made it,” she said, smiling and opening her arms to him.

“Hey, Mom. You look as amazing as usual.” He wrapped her in a bear hug and soaked up her scent, as well as her gentle spirit. His father might be an asshole, but what his pops lacked in common decency, his mother made up for with her sweet and calming presence.

“Thank you, honey. I’m glad you’re here,” she said, ushering him into the house and closing the door behind him.

Standing in the foyer that had a twenty-foot ceiling, marbled floors, as well as an elegant double staircase, Lynix’s senses were bombarded by several things at once.

The smell of curry and ginger, as well as a host of other spices, had his mouth watering.

Apparently, his parents’ live-in cook had made the trip.

Smooth jazz—John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”—played through the home’s sound system, and the other thing that snagged his attention was the strange vibe he was getting from his mother.

Nervousness.

Anyone who knew Bridget Mathews knew she didn’t get nervous.

She owned whatever space she was in and wore her confidence, as well as her regalness, like a badge of honor.

So the unusual emotion he was picking up from her was different.

She had her cell phone in hand and was quickly typing out a message as he studied her.

She was always well put together, and tonight was no different.

Her salt and pepper hair was pulled up on top of her head in an intricate twist with long strands framing her face.

At seventy-years old, her face was free of wrinkles and that was without any cosmetic surgery.

He couldn’t help thinking of her whenever he heard the phrase, black don’t crack .

His mom favored African attire, and she looked regal in the multicolor halter maxi dress. The bold colors accentuated her beautiful sepia skin tone and gave her a youthful appearance.

As if feeling him staring at her, she finally lifted her head, then shoved the cell phone into a hidden pocket in her dress. “Sorry,” she said and patted her hair which looked perfect.

Moving closer, Lynix whispered, “What’s going on? Are you okay?” he asked, his protective instincts going on high alert. He didn’t think she’d just be standing there if she was in danger, but…

That’s when he heard laughter coming from the living room to his right and about twenty-five feet from the entrance. The way the room was positioned, he couldn’t see into it, but he could definitely hear several voices. He had temporarily forgotten about the additional vehicle he’d seen outside.

His mother gently grasped his arm and guided him to the huge dining room that was on the opposite side of the house from the living room and steps away from the kitchen.

“So you don’t feel ambushed when you walk into the living room, I wanted to give you a heads-up,” she said in a low voice, and Lynix went still.

“Who’s here?” He folded his arms across his chest wondering what was going on. Whoever it was must’ve been someone he didn’t like. Otherwise, his mother wouldn’t have pulled him off to the side. This explained why she’d met him at the door.

“Your brothers are in there, but your dad also invited Karsten and Marisela.”

Lynix dropped his arms to his side as anger crawled through him. His first thought was to get the hell out of there. He didn’t need any drama tonight, and he sure as hell didn’t want to see Marisela. Or her father, Karsten Baldwin, for that matter.

Yeah, he needed to leave. However, seeing the pleading look in his mother’s eyes kept him in place. He also didn’t want to make a scene because there was no doubt in his mind the Baldwins knew he’d be there tonight.

“I had no idea your dad invited them until ten minutes before they showed up. I would’ve called you, but I didn’t want you to turn around and go home. I wanted to see my baby,” she said, cupping his cheek, and Lynix leaned into her touch and released a long sigh.

He tried tamping down the fury swirling inside of him. Yeah, had he known who’d be there for dinner, returning home was exactly what he would’ve done.

“I’m sorry, honey. I know how you feel about them, but I’m hoping we can have a lovely dinner.

I haven’t seen you boys in months, not since my birthday in March, and I wanted all of us to catch up.

I guess I should’ve told your father my intentions.

Then maybe he wouldn’t have invited anyone over tonight.

With that said, hopefully everyone can leave the past in the past.”

“Seriously?” he ground out. His anger now mixed with frustration. “You honestly think Pops and Mr. Baldwin won’t bring up the past?”

Before she could answer, Lynix heard footsteps heading in their direction, and he braced himself, thinking it was his father. But when he turned, he was glad to see it was his oldest brother Weston IV, who they called Wes.

“What’s up, bro?” his brother said and switched the drink he was holding to his other hand before giving Lynix some dap. Then he pulled him in, and they bumped shoulders in lieu of a man hug.