Page 23 of The Tycoon (The Douglas Brothers #1)

dolly

I can’t stop smiling. Someone pinch me, I feel like I’m in a dream.

Giving Sutton’s text another read, I let out a contented sigh. He is the sweetest, most genuine man I’ve ever met. I hate that he’s away on this business trip, but I’m so happy that he took the time out of his busy schedule to answer my texts.

God, I’m dying to see him. These next fourteen hours are going to be the longest fourteen hours of my life.

I never understood it when my friends said that they needed to be with their boyfriends, it always sounded insane to me.

Why would you want to be joined at the hip to another person?

But now that I’ve met my soulmate, I completely understand.

It’s like I can’t breathe if he’s not around.

I’m addicted to him; I’m officially drunk in love.

“Dolly, you aren’t texting Sutton, are you?” Mama asks, her voice taking on a slightly critical tone.

Laughing nervously, I lock the screen of my cell and quickly drop it into my purse.

Standing from the metal bench, I give my future mother-in-law a shrug of my shoulders as she walks towards me.

In a moment of weakness, I slipped out of Carolina Herrera while she shopped to text Sutton.

I did promise them both that I wouldn’t bother him until bedtime, but I couldn’t help myself. I needed my Sutton fix.

“Sorry, Mama. I just wanted to say a quick hi, but it’s ok! He was on a break! I promise I didn’t interrupt anything.”

Humming low, she gives me a slow once over with her narrow eyes. The resemblance to Sutton at the moment is uncanny. He is very much his mother’s son.

“Just don’t let it happen again. Sutton is a stickler for the rules, especially when it comes to his work. He won’t appreciate it if you continue to disobey him,” she says with a jerk of her head.

“Yes, Mama, you're right. I won’t text him again until I get ready for bed. I don’t want to do anything that will upset him,” I reply obediently, following her as she begins down the sidewalk.

Adjusting the various shopping bags in her hands, she gives me a pleased grin.

I’ve only been around her for a few hours, but I already know it’s best to just agree with her.

I don’t say that like it’s a bad thing, mind you.

I like Mama very much! She’s not as uptight as my own mother, we’ve actually had a few laughs together.

She seems to really like me, and I’m very grateful for that, but obviously I want to make a good impression.

So I will continue to play the part of the sweet future daughter-in-law she wants.

“I know you won’t, you’re a quick learner, Dolly.

I’m quite impressed by you, I want you to know that.

So many young women want to push back against boundaries nowadays, it can be really infuriating.

But I think if we all remember that boundaries are put into place for the safety of our wellbeing, it makes things easier to swallow. ”

Remaining silent, I give a small nod in reply. I honestly have no idea what she’s talking about. I am curious as to what she means by “the safety of our wellbeing,” but again, it’s best if I just agree.

“Yes, Mama.”

Clearing her throat, she motions with her chin towards the courtyard of the open shopping center. She tries to lift her arm to emphasize but the four bags from designer shops are a little too cumbersome.

“Since the shops are closing, and I still have some time before we have to pick up Sweetie from the groomer, why don’t we have a late dinner? There’s an upscale delicatessen right around the corner. They have the most delicious caviar service!”

I stumble in my heels as my brain registers her words. Catching myself before I truly fall, my face scrunches as I mentally dry heave.

“Caviar service? Caviar…as in fish eggs?”

Turning her head, she gives me the oddest look. For a split second I wonder if I’ve said something truly ridiculous.

“Yes, caviar. You have had caviar before, haven’t you?” she asks.

Shaking my head, I do my best to contain my immediate disgust. Even if I had been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I doubt that particular delicacy would be appealing. I’m not a picky eater, but I really don’t want to eat fish eggs.

“No, Mama, I haven’t had the pleasure.”

Huffing a laugh, she leads me towards the restaurant on the corner.

She seems flabbergasted that I’ve never had something that sells for hundreds of dollars per ounce.

I guess I can’t fault her too much for her shock.

She was born into an upper echelon of society that only the one percent ever get to experience.

Extravagance and wealth are all she’s ever known.

“Well, my sweet girl, it’s time you are introduced to the finer things. Caviar service and a couple glasses of champagne will do us both wonders! And don’t worry, I won’t tell my son about the bubbly,” she says, giving me a wink.

. . .

Scooping another dollop of ebony caviar onto her creme fraiche topped baby potato, Mama eagerly pops it into her mouth. I watch her with a smile as she savors her morsel, humored by the way she closes her eyes in ecstasy.

Thankfully, she has allowed me to order a steak and salad. I think she noticed the fear on my face as I watched the table next to us enjoy their caviar before we ordered. I am beyond grateful she didn’t force me to eat it.

“Just so you know, this is really good for your body. It’s full of omega-threes and amino acids. Nutrients you’re going to need to give my son healthy babies…and according to Sutton, there might be one in your belly right now so, you really ought to try it.”

I nearly choke on my water from her comment. Recovering as well as I can, I look at her with wide eyes. Oh, God. Is this why she wouldn’t allow me to order champagne even after suggesting it? What the hell has Sutton told her?

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly. What, Mama?” I ask, my voice high-pitched and strained.

Rolling her blue eyes, she gives me a knowing look. Dragging her gaze from my face to my neck, she lifts her hand to point at one of the love bites that have peeked out from my mock turtleneck.

“I know you and Sutton have been…active. Now, I’m not that happy about it but I know you two are going to do what you're going to do. But you must know that Douglas men have…very healthy swimmers. They’re a virile bunch!

I swear, if I wasn’t fixed after my baby Lincoln, I’d have ten more. Papa Sutton is insatiable.”

Swallowing hard, I force myself to remain seated as she continues to talk about how active the Douglas men are in the bedroom.

Every cell in my body is telling me to run for the hills.

It’s still hard for me to talk about sex with Sutton, I am not equipped to talk about it with my future mother-in-law!

God, I wish I could melt into my velvet chair right this very second.

Sensing my uneasiness, Mama lets out a sigh. Reaching across the table, she grabs my hand.

“Oh, Dolly. It’s ok! I promise you, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

I’m only being so honest and accepting with you because I know you’re going to be one of us soon,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze before releasing it.

“And you should know that I have never been this open with any of the women my boys have brought home. They’ve all been whores but you?

You’re a good, respectable girl. And you’re keeping my baby boy satisfied, I can’t fault you there. ”

Bringing my lower lip between my teeth, I bite down to make sure I’m not hallucinating.

My heart beats faster as she continues, I can feel the heat of my blood as it rushes into my cheeks.

I hear her trail off, her face turns serious as she notices me zone out.

We both sit for a couple of minutes, simply staring at each other in silence as we awkwardly eat our dinner.

Finishing her champagne, she waits for me to swallow my bite of steak before she speaks yet again.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable, Dolly. And I apologize in advance for making you uncomfortable again, but I do have to tell you something about my family.”

Taking in a breath, I meet her eyes. An odd shiver runs down the length of my spine as I pick up on the slight change in her body language.

“And what’s that, Mama?” I ask, leaning in towards the table.

Holding my gaze, she commands all of my attention. I begin to tremble ever so slightly in anxious anticipation.

“My family…my husband, my boys…even myself. We all have certain appetites that some people in our society might find to be…unique. Some might even find them disturbing. Just know that when you seal yourself to Sutton, you seal yourself to all of us. You will uphold our family’s secrets, no matter what.

Our family comes first. Our family always comes first.”

My face twists in confusion as I listen to her. I have no earthly idea what she is talking about, but it seems nefarious in nature. Is she warning me, or threatening me? I honestly can’t tell.

“Ok but, what kind of appetites are you talking about?” I ask, my voice lifting with a hint of fear.

“Ah, and there’s the rub. That’s something Sutton needs to tell you.

I’m simply giving you a little bit of heads up.

I don’t want you to be completely blindsided,” she replies, her Southern accent thickening with every word.

“So, take this time while Sutton is on his business trip to search inside your heart. If you love my son…truly love him...you will accept what he tells you.”

I'm even more confused, and anxious, by her answer. What the hell is the Douglas clan involved in? Ritual sacrifice? The Mafia? Insurance fraud? Human trafficking? Drug smuggling? My mind is going wild with the possibilities. I know I love Sutton, I feel it in my very soul, but could I accept it if he’s done something truly heinous?

Opening my mouth to ask more questions, my words are rudely cut by the sound of her cell phone. What fantastic timing.

“Oh, hell,” she says, grabbing her purse from the floor. Reaching her hand into her Birkin, she fishes for her phone. Glancing at its screen as she pulls it from the luxury bag, her face turns from serious to stone cold.

“I’m really sorry Dolly, I need to take this. I’ll be right back!”

Slapping the glass with her manicured finger, she hisses a greeting as she presses it against her ear. Standing from her chair, she all but stomps away towards the front of the restaurant. Leaving me totally befuddled.

“What is going on, this is all so freaking weird,” I whisper to myself.

Letting out a sigh, I don’t even have a second to clear my racing thoughts before my own cell phone alerts me of a text. My heart skips, knowing that it’s my love. Maybe I could bring this odd conversation up to him. I’m sure he will be able to soothe my overactive imagination. He always does.

Pulling my purse from the back of my chair, I dig for my phone. Grasping it with my fingers, I yank it from my department store bag. Fully expecting to see Sutton’s picture, my eyes narrow as I read a completely different name.

Pressing my lips into a fine line, I stare at his message.

I haven’t heard a word from him since brunch on Sunday, he hasn’t returned any of my texts.

Hell, I even tried to call him while Sutton was in the shower and he sent me straight to voicemail.

I should be upset with him for ignoring me, but I can’t help but feel relieved that he’s finally reached out.

.

Furrowing my brows, I read his text a second time.

In the years I’ve known Sam, he has never said the word “please.” It makes me think that whatever he needs to tell me is important.

I do owe it to him to see him in person and hear whatever it is he wants to tell me.

Sutton isn’t supposed to be home until ten tomorrow morning.

In theory, I could go see Sam and be back at the condo before he came home.

He would never have to know that I saw my former roommate.

Confident in my decision, my fingers type out a reply.

Waiting for his reply, I try to steady my heart as it begins to race. It takes him a moment to text me back and his answer does everything but calm me. So much for trying to keep my anxiety in check, I don’t think I’ll be sleeping tonight.