Invidious Betrayal (33 page)

Dr. Randall Marroe died three years ago.

“You’re up.” Standing in the doorway of his room was his…father? No, it couldn’t be his father, not with that relieved, loving look on his face. That had to be Uncle Vincent. “I’ll call the nurse.”

Whoever it was left the room quickly.

Who had that been, Vincent or Father
?

Ian gripped his head.
What is wrong with me?
His heart sped up, his ears rang, his vision blurred, and his body hummed with…with what? Ian gripped the edge of the mattress to level himself. He was in a complete panic for the first time in his life.

“Ian.” The voice was distant. “Ian, can you hear me? Focus on my voice. You must calm down and focus.”

Closing his eyes, Ian counted to ten in his head. In English at first, then in the four other languages he spoke fluently. This usually worked, and he could feel his body relaxing as he started counting all over again in English. Soon he could hear all the sounds around him clearing, separate sounds that seem so close but so far away. His body felt tuned, strong. Opening his eyes, he focused on the man in front of him.
This is definitely Uncle Vincent
.

Ian looked at the man standing just inside the room near the door. It had been his father who’d entered the room earlier. His father had been worried about him? The look on his face had been so loving, concern-filled. Now, his dad was his usual self, standoffish and oddly…looking annoyed.

“He looks out of it, Vincent,” his father said.

Ian mechanically moved his gaze back to his uncle who was about to stick a needle in his arm. When Vincent moved to stick him with the syringe, Ian took hold of his uncle’s wrist and firmly squeezed. “I don’t need that anymore.”

Vincent frowned. “This is your—”

“You should take your medicine, Ian,” his father chimed in.

Ian didn’t know if it was a dream or if Dr. Marroe’s visit really happened, but he did know one thing. Right now, at this exact moment, he felt better than he’d ever felt in his life. No headaches and no irritation. Dr. Marroe said he didn’t need those injections and with the way he felt…he was certain he never would again.

“I’ll let you know when I do,” he said to Vincent. But Vincent didn’t put the needle away. “Please, Dad,” Ian said, looking at his father, “I don’t need it.”

To Ian’s surprise his father asked, “How do you feel?”

“This may just be the calm before the storm, Victor. He needs these injections.” Vincent held up the syringe.

“I feel strong, healthy,” Ian answered honestly.

His father came forward and placed his hand on Vincent’s shoulder. “He says he feels fine, so let’s wait and see.”

Ian wanted to smile. He wanted to wrap his arm around the man and hug him like a son should hug his father, but he knew better. So he inclined his head to his father and simply said, “And I’m ready to go.” He let go of Vincent’s arm, hopped off the bed, and strode into the bathroom without saying another word.

A
SLIGHT VIBRATION PUSHED ARIA
toward a partial state of sleepy consciousness. She groaned as she realized she was being pulled from the best night’s sleep ever. She lifted her hand over her closed lids and tried to stave off the presence of daylight. She tried unsuccessfully to recapture the fading dream that interpreted her deepest desires and offered them to her freely.

“Maybe you should let her sleep,” a small young voice whispered.

“I don’t want to,” another young voice replied, this one quieter.

The bed shook and a soft hand brushed Aria’s arm that covered her eyes. “Aria, wake up. Wake up. Wake up.”

Lifting her arm and opening her eyes, she asked sleepily, “Do I have too?”

“Yes,” Mandy jumped up and down, rocking the bed more.

Aria moaned. Her tired eyes fell on Mandy’s cute, little cherub face. Aria grimaced when the little angel began to bounce up and down, jostling the bed again. “I’m awake. I’m awake,” she sang, smiling as she looked at Mandy, who clearly loved dresses. The adorable, green sundress and a flowing ribbon in her long hair complemented her café au lait skin.

Aria pushed herself up on her elbows, vaguely remembering she’d heard two voices. Selene stood at the foot of the bed. Her face wasn’t as round and chunky like her cousin’s, but she was just as adorable. Dressed in a green dress similar to Mandy’s, her big, round curious eyes watched Aria with interest. Aria smiled and Selene looked away. Aria figured befriending Selene would take some time.

“What can I do for you ladies?” Aria fully sat up in the bed, running her hand through her tangled hair.

Mandy scooted closer and began fingering the matted mess of Aria’s hair, too. “We’re princesses, not ladies.” Mandy frowned as she leaned her face into Aria’s.

“Breakfast will be ready soon,” Selene whispered.

Aria realized then that Ian wasn’t in bed with her. Suddenly the events of last night flashed in her mind. She quickly grabbed the top sheet to cover her chest. As she was pulling it up, she realized she wore her tank top and night shorts. How did she get dressed? Had Ian dressed her without waking her?

“You coming to eat with us, Aria?” Mandy asked, as she stacked Aria’s hair atop her head, then let it fall back down.

Aria pushed her hair out of her face. “I’ll be down in a few.”

“Come on, Mandy.” Selene waited until Mandy climbed down off the bed, then the two girls left Aria alone in the room.

Had last night with Ian been a dream
? Yes…definitely a dream, Aria told herself. Her mind had made it all up. The fact that it was a dream made her feel dirty. To imagine something so detailed, so deliciously mind blowing, was very naughty.

Aria moved one of her legs to get up. Pleasure and an achy pain shot through her core. She moaned about to complain about the strange feeling, then her eyes widened as she suddenly realized that her entire body was deliciously sore. It had definitely not been a dream. Her face burned with embarrassment as she remembered how wanton and out of character she’d been.

God, where was Ian? Did he regret what happened?

Crawling out of the bed, she went to the closet where Ian had placed her bags. All her clothing was hung or folded on shelves. She smiled, her disappointment of him not being around when she woke beginning to melt away. Hitting the bathroom first, Aria quickly used the facilities, brushed her teeth, and washed her face. Never being a fan of too much makeup, she used a little mascara, liner, and matte gloss. She dressed in a pair of denim Capri pants, a red V-neck short-sleeve shirt, and pulled her brushed thick, wavy hair up in a loose ponytail.

She gave herself an once-over, made the bed, then walked down the hall to the stairs. When she got downstairs and made her way to the kitchen, Aria was amazed to see everyone working together like a well-oiled machine. Mama Morel and Roxanne worked the stove, and the food smelled absolutely delicious. Alexis was busy setting the table while Michael and the girls filled the glasses with orange juice. Aria felt the need to help with something, but she didn’t quite know where she could without interfering with their flow.

“Good morning, Aria.” Mama Morel smiled. She looked better than the last time Aria had seen her, but she still had a hint of sadness in those familiar gray eyes of hers. “If you’d like to help out, you could butter the biscuits.”

“Sure.” Aria returned the smile as she moved toward the refrigerator. As she did her part for the meal, she realized she hadn’t seen Ian. A sinking feeling suddenly bombarded her. Aria froze; her hands hovered over the biscuits.
No…he wouldn’t leave me here
.
Ian wouldn’t do that to me.
Would he? Had she seen his clothes in the closet? She’d seen hers but hadn’t noticed if his were there.

Aria glanced around at the people that surrounded her. They would surely tell her if she’d been left here. Unless they thought Ian had told her he was leaving.
Stop it, he would never leave me.
Calming herself, Aria forced herself to hold the knife steady as she buttered the fluffy biscuits but she was worried until she heard footsteps and male laughter.

It was Ian’s laugh—a melodious song she could get used to hearing every day for the rest of her life. And when he entered the kitchen with Papa Morel and a young boy she assumed was Tanner, a handsome kid with short curly hair, Ian’s eyes instantly sought out hers. She didn’t want to appear too happy or relieved, but she didn’t expect to see his eyes light up the way they did when he saw her. She felt her heart shudder and her lips spread into a smile that spoke everything she felt.

“Don’t you dare come in here without washing your hands,” Mama Morel said, as Ian and Tanner stepped toward the kitchen. Pop Morel patted both boys on the back as he led them to the bathroom down the hall. Butterflies danced in Aria’s stomach because Ian watched her over his shoulder as he was ushered away. He looked hungry and she doubted it was food he wanted.

Aria fought back a huge grin as she continued what she was doing. It wasn’t until she felt a hand on her arm that she looked over her shoulder again. Her heart actually slowed when their eyes met. Ian wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Aria looked around the room, but no one seemed shocked by his behavior. She placed the knife down just as Ian pulled her out of the kitchen.

Ian led her into the first floor bathroom and closed the door behind them. Her back was up against the wall and he claimed her lips before she had a chance to say one word. Ian kissed her with such fierceness that she felt as if he totally branded her soul. Whatever she’d planned to say had drifted far from her mind as his tongue masterfully swirled and teased hers. Aria’s hands reached up to his head and her fingers threaded through his hair. She bowed into him as he deepened the kiss. With his warm body covering hers, the taste of him in her mouth, nothing else mattered but this moment.

Ian moaned, then slowly pulled back, gently nipping her bottom lip as he did. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. Mr. Mor—Pop Morel thought it would be nice if I rode with him to pick up Tanner. I did my speed thing and checked the property before I left. No one saw me.” He nuzzled her neck. “You were completely safe.”

Aria closed her eyes as his lips lightly, slowly grazed over her ear, her neck. “Mmmm,” she moaned, half amazed and half embarrassed of the way her body reacted to him. “Last night really did happen then. It wasn’t a dream,” she mumbled to herself.

“I wouldn’t say that, exactly. For me, it was a dream come true.” He kissed his way to her lips as every word he spoke vibrated through her body. “I checked Harland’s page. Everything is fine on the home front.” Another kiss had her shivering and gripping his shoulders. “We had better get back before we’re missed.” He kissed her again, but this time it was short, so sweet.

Her head spun as he led her back to the kitchen. Everything felt so dreamlike: last night, this morning, being with Ian in general.

The family was seated at the table when they entered, but they hadn’t touched any of the food yet. She blindly followed Ian to the seats Pop Morel pointed out to them, unable to focus on anything other than Ian. Aria wasn’t even aware that she was staring at him until he winked at her. Blushing—because…yeah—he set a fire inside her every time he smiled—she lowered her head as Pop Morel prayed over the plentiful meal. Soon after, everyone ate and talked to Ian, who was the center of attention.

“Would you like some coffee, Aria?” Roxanne asked, standing. She held the pot over Aria’s unused mug.

Aria raised her cup, but Pop Morel reached over and placed his hand over it. “No coffee for her,” Pop Morel said, as he raised his cup to be filled.

“I think she can decide on her own if she wants coffee or not.” Mama Morel frowned.

Aria turned to Ian who was lifting a fork full of eggs to his mouth. With his hand and food suspended in air, he met her gaze but as usual, she couldn’t read him. Had he told his grandfather she was pregnant? Her gut churned. What else had he told his grandfather? Poppa Morel gave her and Ian an anxious look from the head of the table where he sat. He clearly wanted them to share the news with everyone else.