Page 21

BLAISE

A fter I left my short visit with Jenna in the garden, I headed out under the guise to investigate who might be planting negative information about the Keans.

Since it’s my family who’s arranged the negative publicity, I don’t actually have to do anything but come up with a lie.

Instead of investigating, I headed to Phoenix’s for a meeting with my brothers.

On the drive over, I did the mental gymnastics of telling myself that stopping to see Jenna before I left was part of my cover, even though my conscience was calling bullshit. I visited her today because I couldn’t help myself. She’s like a fucking drug, bad for my health but too addicting to quit.

Today, my brothers and I reviewed the security setup. It’s large, but with so many important guests, security will be spread thin.

“Ronan's bound to slip away at some point. He always does at these things to smoke or make a call or have some woman suck his dick," I’d told my brothers. “When he does, I’ll kill him.”

“What if there are others around, like a woman sucking his dick?” Flint asked.

“I’ll wait until she’s done. I’m not such an asshole that I won’t let him have one last orgasm.”

Flint snickered as he shook his head. “Such mercy for a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

“How will you get out?” Ash, always serious, asks, apparently not amused by my generosity.

“The secret passage Flint used. As far as I can tell, most people have forgotten about it. Even Ronan hasn’t mentioned it as part of what we need to guard.

” I pointed to the map. “The other side of the woods will be the closest you can risk getting without being noticed by the extra security. If you could pick me up here or leave a car, that would be great. Hopefully, I can do the deed, get to the basement, and exit before anyone knows he’s dead. ”

“Can the girl help isolate him?” Ash suggested.

I didn’t like that one bit. The thought of using Jenna as bait doesn’t sit well with me. "No."

"Why not?" Phoenix's eyes narrowed. "You said yourself that she's wrapped around your finger. And you want her to pay."

I couldn’t stop seeing Jenna with her bright green eyes, staring at me with trust and like the world revolved around me. "She's not part of this."

"She's been part of this since she helped them kill our parents," Ash reminded me.

He was right, of course. And therein lay my problem. I keep letting myself forget what she did, distracted by her warmth, her kindness, the way she makes me feel…

And then she called and told me she couldn’t take her dying mother to the hospital because the Keans were too important to defy, and I was reminded again why she deserves to be ruined.

But I won’t destroy her by being a part of her mother’s demise.

As far as I can tell, Mrs. Hart was always loyal to my family.

She’s the only one on the estate who deserves to live.

I pull up to the small cottage, and Mrs. Hart is already waiting on the porch. Despite her frail condition, her eyes are sharp as she studies me through the car window.

I jump out, grabbing her bag and helping her to the car.

“I hope I’m not too much trouble. I know Mr. Kean won’t like my taking you away?—”

“I’m not on duty right now,” I lie. But I figure I can come up with another excuse about why I came back to the property and then left again. It’s not like the Keans are paying attention to someone like Mrs. Hart to notice her being gone.

Once she’s strapped in, I head to the hospital.

“Thank you for this, Blaise. For everything.”

“I’m not doing anything.” At least not anything anyone with half a heart wouldn’t do. I know the Keans don’t have a heart, but Jenna? She should know better.

“I’m pretty lucky to get a heart so fast.”

“I guess the universe knows it needs you.”

She laughs. “I don’t know about that.” She pauses for a moment. “I suspect someone got me bumped up the list.”

“Huh.” I act nonchalant.

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “It had to have been you.”

"I don't know what you mean." I shift in my seat, avoiding her knowing gaze. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I don’t want her to view me as some hero. After all, I’m planning on breaking her daughter’s heart.

"Please. I've been on that list for two years. When I was last in the hospital, they said the prospects weren’t good that I’d last long enough. You were at the hospital then too. I may be dying, but I'm not stupid."

I shrug. "The doctor found a match. I understand that it’s not just who’s next on the list, but who is a good match biologically and all that."

“Hmm.” She’s not convinced. “Well, thank you. Not many men would go to those lengths for their girlfriend's mother."

The gratitude in her voice makes my chest tight.

She studies my profile. "You seem troubled. Is it because I’ve figured out your secret?”

For a moment I tense, wondering if she’s realized who I am. This woman is too perceptive. "It's complicated."

"Life usually is." She sighs.

"She should be here," I growl, unable to hide my disgust at Jenna choosing the Keans over her mother. "Her mother needs her, and she's choosing to stay and arrange flowers for the Keans."

"You don't understand what that place means to her." Mrs. Hart's voice is soft but firm.

“It means more than you?” I glance at her, dumbfounded at her defense of Jenna.

“No. It doesn’t. But it’s the only home she's ever known."

"It's just a house."

"No, it's her whole world." Mrs. Hart shifts in her seat, wheezing slightly. "She was born in that cottage. Her father worked for the family who lived there before.”

She’s talking about my family.

“Jenna learned to walk in those gardens. When her father died protecting the estate, she was barely old enough to remember him. But she remembers following me around while I tended those flowers, learning their names, their seasons."

The mention of Jenna's father catches my attention. I hadn't known he died protecting my family's estate. Another layer of complexity I don't want to deal with.

"Still doesn't make it right," I mutter.

"Maybe not. But Jenna's never stepped foot outside that property except for school and occasional errands.

She's never had another job, never lived anywhere else.

" Mrs. Hart's eyes are knowing when they meet mine. "It's easy to judge when you have options. My daughter thinks she doesn't, and I suppose right now, she’s right. What would happen to me if we don’t have a home and healthcare? That’s what she’s thinking about. "

I don’t like how my feelings are turning wishy-washy again. How knowing that Jenna’s world has been so small and sheltered that she’s trapped by it. That her loyalty to the Keans may not be about her crush on Ronan but simply a function of not knowing any other life.

"She deserves better from them," I say, noting my anger has drained from my voice.

"Yes, she does." Mrs. Hart reaches over to pat my shoulder again. "Maybe you'll be the one to show her that."

For a moment, I imagine it. I imagine being on the estate back in Ifrinn control. Of Jenna by my side, day and night. Her mother healthy, helping with grandkids.

Good God, what the hell am I thinking?

"I worry about her." Mrs. Hart’s words help push away images I shouldn’t have about a future I don’t want. "She's spent her whole life taking care of others. First helping me in the gardens when she was little, then caring for me when I got sick."

I strive to hold on to resentment, but it's hard when her mother is so understanding. If her own mother isn’t pissed, what right do I have to be upset?

"She's never had the chance to live for herself," Mrs. Hart continues. "Never traveled, never dated, until you. I used to think it was sweet how she pined after Ronan, but also sad. We all knew nothing would come of it, her included. But it was a way for her to have a little romance in her life.”

I turn into the hospital parking lot, not sure how to respond to her.

"The way she lights up when she talks about you…" Mrs. Hart's knowing look makes me shift uncomfortably. "It's the first time I've seen her choose something for herself."

Now I’m the asshole. Because she hasn't chosen, not really. I've manipulated her, seduced her, all while planning to break her heart. And for what? Revenge against a woman who was only thirteen years old when her actions led to my parents’ death. Does she even know what she did?

“I’m happy for her that she has you. And I’m happy for you that you have her.”

I swallow hard, unable to meet her eyes.

She is being completely honest and sincere.

And I have to admit that Jenna is too. She doesn’t know the real me, but I have no doubt she loves me.

She never hides it. She sees me and it’s like the sun lights up her face.

Whatever I throw at her, she takes it. I treated her badly at the hotel, and she ended up seeking to comfort me from whatever demon had possessed me.

For the first time since I started this mission, I'm not sure I can go through with it.

I push my doubts away as I help Mrs. Hart check in at the hospital reception.

My phone vibrates, a message from Jones wondering where I am. I silence it. I’ll come up with an excuse for my absence later.

"You don't have to stay," Mrs. Hart says, easing into a wheelchair. "I know you have work."

I do have work. And my brothers are counting on me to carry out our mission. But leaving Mrs. Hart alone feels wrong. "I can spare a few minutes."

As we wait for the pre-op nurse, I do what I can to make her comfortable. She must be scared to death. If someone were going to crack my chest open and take my heart out, I’d be fucking terrified.

"You're hovering," Mrs. Hart says with a weak smile. "Just like Jenna does."

The comparison makes me flinch. Because Jenna hovers out of love, while I… what am I doing here? Playing the devoted boyfriend while plotting to break her daughter's heart? No. It’s more than that, and that’s a problem. I’m too enmeshed with Jenna and her mother.

A nurse appears and begins the process of preparing Mrs. Hart for surgery.

“You don’t need to stay.” Mrs. Hart takes my hand. “In fact, I’d rather you be with Jenna. This is so hard for her.”

I nod.

“And will you look out for her… in case I don’t make it?—”

“You’ll make it.” If I have to take on God himself, Mrs. Hart will make it.

“Jenna is a smart woman, but she’s been sheltered. She’ll be alone if this doesn’t work. Promise me you’ll look after her.”

“I promise.” The words leave my lips before I can think. The scariest part is that they’re not said to be deceitful. At that moment, they are sincere.

But if I’m to keep my promise, I’ll need to break one I made to my brothers.