Page 153 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

Paisley Grove

Surprisingly, my parents are home when I arrive. I find them in the parlor on the east wing, playing chess in front of a kindling fire. The orangish light coloring the room feels pleasant. A half bottle of red wine sits on the side of the marble table as they sit on tufted leather ottomans. Neither of them looks away from the gameboard to acknowledge me. But my dad is smirking like he does whenever he’s winning. My mom’s severe frown is indicative of how hard she’s concentrating, trying not to lose.

“Hello, parents,” I call, feeling like I’m riding on cloud nine after how my day ended.

“I heard you bought an apartment,” my dad says, bringing my good mood to a halt.

It’s like a cold metal beam shot through me, and now I’m so stiff, I can’t move an inch. “You did?”

“Six million dollars is a lot of money. If that kind of money leaves your account, I get dinged.”

It’s silent. It’s my turn to respond, but I’m still trying to absorb what he just said.

I smash the tips of two of my fingers against my chest. “I’m sorry, but you were dinged when money leavesmyaccount?”

“Safety protocols, honey,” my mom says. “Congratulations. When are you moving?”

“Tomorrow.” I didn’t mean to whisper, but I don’t like how I feel at the moment. They sit there, all calm and cool as if they’re not at all bothered by my decision to buy an apartment in Manhattan. But I’ve been in this spot before. They are bothered. And even though it doesn’t look like it, I’m in the middle of receiving a tongue lashing from my parents. I mean,have they always been this controlling?Yes. They have.

My mom inclines her face closer to the board. “The thing about chess is that it’s a man’s game. The rules, the limitations are instinctual to your father. Men prefer a set a framework to operate within. But we are a different kind of creature, aren’t we, darling? We’re more inclined to make our own rules. I don’t want to move my knight in an L-shape. It’ll do way more damage if I could just…” Mom sighs as if she’s flustered. However, she doesn’t stop concentrating like a hawk stalking a mouse.

I lean back so far that I’m momentarily off balance. Was that analogy about me? Am I the one operating out of the rules? My head is on the verge of bursting as I try to decode her words.

I clear my throat, which gives me enough time to figure out how to make my next move in this game we’re playing. “I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning. So, thanks so much for allowing me to stay with you.” I point my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to bed, and, um, Dad, I want whatever safety protocols that alerted you when I used my money to buy my apartment off my bank account.”

“Can’t do that,” he says without even thinking about it.

“I didn’t know you were looking,” my mom says then moves her rook. “We have a place for you to stay in the city.”

My chest tightens. This battle is not going to be easily fought or won. “But I have my own place.”

My dad moves his game piece. “Are you living alone?” He raises his eyebrows at my mom. “Your move.”

What an odd question. “Of course I am living alone. I said I bought my own place.”

Mom uses both hands to muss up her hair. “Damn you, Xander.” She glances at me before pasting her focus back on the board. “Your moving doesn’t have to do with Hercules Valentine, does it?”

Oh… Finally. The big talk.I brace myself for it. The subject of Hercules Valentine has been lurking from the moment I arrived, like a ninja assassin, stalking his prey.

“No. This isn’t about Hercules.” I sound too defensive, as I acknowledge that on a deeper level, accepting the apartment without really thinking it through has a little to do with living closer to him.

“You were”—my dad moves his bishop—“involved with him. Were you not?”

My insides cringe. “Not technically. I was parading around as a Lark Davenport, remember? Or did you even know?” I fold my arms over my chest as my anger reaches new heights. “Because I don't know who knew what and when. And frankly, it’s been difficult for me to accept the idea that my parents allowed me to engage in an illegal act. But now that it’s finally over, all you care about is if I’m seeing Hercules Valentine, who is a decent and honorable man who I…” I run out of air and take a deep breath. That was a mouthful.

“A man who you…” My father says, prompting me to finish.

I want to say that I love him, but I know better. A sort of darkness sits in my father’s eyes. I’ve seen that look before. It was at the hospital on the night O’Brien drugged me. He really hates the Valentines. I think it’s time I know why.

“Admire,” I say instead. “I admire him.”

Xander frowns at the board, watching Heartly’s next move. “You should continue keeping your distance. It’s better for everybody.”

I shake my head jerkily. This moment almost feels surreal. “You mean to tell me that I’ve been at your estate for almost a month, and that’s all you can come up with?”

My parents look at me as if I’ve lost my mind.

“Is that attitude I detect?” Heartly asks.