Page 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

~ Oscar Wilde

Em

I’d only taken about ten steps when I hissed in pain. It wasn’t even that horrible but it was enough for Saros to insist he carry me. He was too sweet and a part of me maybe liked the thought of being whisked away.

I’d meant to pay attention to my surroundings while Saros carried me all the way to the conservatory, but I hadn’t. All because I was cradled against him, lost in the sensations and smells.

His arms were strong; there was no hiding that this man worked out. Solid yet comfortable. With my nose so close to his neck, I inhaled his amazing aroma. I couldn’t tell a soul what cologne he used, but I could tell them it was my new favorite scent.

I had no idea if anyone stared at the obvious display we were making, or if anyone spoke to me. I was lost in everything Saros Tancredi.

“Here we are.”

I looked around as if waking from the best dream and realizing I was actually still in it. The conservatory was stunning. Ramsey didn’t have one of these and while I knew what it was, I’d never been in one.

The ceiling and walls were made of glass. It was warm in here, which was nice with the brisk weather. Flowers and other greenery decorated the entire room. With the sun shining, it was as if I’d been carried into paradise.

“Wow, this is gorgeous.”

Saros smiled as he gently placed me down onto the couch. “It’s peaceful.”

I lifted my leg and slid a pillow under it. “It is. I understand why it’s your favorite room. I used to love the library at Ramsey’s when I was younger. It was the one room anyone could find me in.”

Saros sat at the end of the couch and regarded me. “Used to, as in because you’re not there anymore?”

I shook my head. “Maybe it was because it was where everyone could find me that they did. It no longer became a sanctuary. Later, I’d hide in the stacks but the bigger I got, the harder that became.”

He didn’t say anything right away. “Can I ask you a question? Well, if I’m being honest, I have many. You can answer them or not, it’s up to you.”

“If I have a way out, there’s no harm in asking.” I was nervous. Saros wanted to know a lot about me, and I wasn’t sure I had the information he wanted or needed.

“Your first name is November. Do you have a last name?”

Fairly innocuous question. “Banks.”

“November Banks.” He hummed. “I agree with Martha. While the reason behind it is ugly, it’s a beautiful name.”

I’d never thought anything good about November, but what reason had there been until now?

“Thanks.”

“Harder question, ready?”

I chuckled. “Go for it.”

“You said your parents named you November because they didn’t want you, that they named you it because it was the month you were born, correct?”

“Yeah, but that’s not a hard question.”

Saros smirked. “Because that’s not the question. What I want to know is, do you know who your parents are?”

It was a very interesting question. I had my suspicions but they had never been validated.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been in Ramsey’s house. That’s all I know for certain. I asked sometimes when RJ would call Ramsey Dad and Shyla Mom if I could call them that, but they said no. So I asked who my parents were, but they never answered me.”

Saros’s nostrils flared. “I really hate the Brookes family, Em.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“You can try.”

Fair enough. “What are you going to do to him?”

Saros tilted his head up and gazed at the glass ceiling. Birds were flying by; it was lovely.

“To be honest, I don’t know how this will end, Em. But however it does, will be for the best.”

Super vague response but also quite loaded at the same time.

Martha chose that moment to enter with a rolling cart of food.

“Who’s hungry?” She beamed as she uncovered the plates. Pasta, salad, and fresh rolls greeted us and my stomach rumbled.

“Music to my ears.” Martha laughed.

Martha set a tray up for me on my lap and another for Saros. It was ridiculous to eat on the couch like this while a perfectly good table was nearby but as soon as I mentioned that, Saros told me to hush.

The food was exquisite as always. I’d never eaten so well in my life as I had since being under Saros’s roof. I was feeling energized and while my ankle ached and my finger throbbed, it was as if I were a new person.

“I’m having a family dinner here tomorrow. We do this every week.”

I swallowed my bite and nodded. “Okay, I’ll stay in my room, so you don’t have to worry about me getting in the way.” It’s what I always did when Ramsey had guests over. It would be no different now except Saros would feed me and I was safe.

“What? Why would you do that?” He appeared affronted.

“Because you said you were having a family dinner…I’m not family?”

He rolled his eyes. “Everyone who works for me is family. It’s an affair every week.”

“But I’m not working for you.”

Saros wiped his mouth and sighed. “Ramsey made you hide in your room every time he had dinners and such, didn’t he?”

It was a good guess, but I’d do him one better. “Actually, anytime I wasn’t needed or not being punished, I was remanded to my room.”

It was as if my words woke a sleeping giant. Saros rose from the couch and flung his dish across the room. It shattered and scattered along the white and gray marble floor. I flinched and kept my eyes down. Whenever Ramsey reacted like this, it was best to make myself as small as possible.

“Em,” Saros whispered, and in a flash he was kneeling in front of me. “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. You spoke as if nothing you just said was wrong. How you were treated, you have to know dogs are held in a better regard.”

“I know, Saros.”

“Listen to me. I was telling you this to invite you to come to the dinner. You’ll have to abide by Paulo’s instructions, but that will be easy enough.”

“You want me there?”

“I very much do. Everyone is looking forward to meeting you.”

I wasn’t sure how much I believed that, but I simply nodded.

“Hard question, Em.”

I glanced at Saros. His blue eyes glittered with kindness, which was so different from the monster the world thought him to be.

“Yeah?”

“What did Ramsey do to you when he thought you required punishment?”

How was one to answer that question? Nothing was cut and dried with Ramsey. So, I did the best I could using just four words.

“Whatever he wanted to.”