Pride & Pleasure (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 1) (18 page)

CHAPTER
ELEVEN

Victor sat at his desk, staring at the window but seeing nothing.

Angelina had been gone for three months. He and his brothers had buried her on the family plot and each of them had been given their letters that Angelina had written them. Victor swiveled in his chair and his eyes fell on the newspaper article that he’d kept from four weeks ago. He read the bold lettering as he’d done a thousand times before…

“Avary Pine plays beautifully, leaving the audience in tears.”

He smiled. The writer wasn’t lying. A special hush had come over the spectators as they watched her play in the public for the first time in years. He was there, sitting in the back, hanging on every snap of her wrist, every emotion and line crossing her face and the tears that fell to her cheeks when the music ended. She’d played a love song.

He’d wanted to see her, wanted to say hello, but what had changed? She had a musical career waiting for her and he didn’t want to stand in her way.

“You’re still here?”

Victor brought his chin up, seeing Max standing in the doorway. Irritation making his chiseled jaw tight. “I had some work to take care of,” Victor said.

Max shook his head. “I might be out of line here, but I’m going to say what’s on my mind. I’ve held my tongue for far too long. I cared for Angelina too. Many nights I sat with her after you’d gone to bed, keeping her company, holding her hair off her face while she vomited. She would be heartbroken seeing you in this beaten down, idiotic state. She wanted you to cherish her memory, celebrate her life, not sit here day in and out moping. For God’s sake, man. Read the letter she left for you!” He groaned. “Now, if you wish to fire me I guess I’ll be deserving, but I’m speaking for Angelina as well as myself.”

Victor stared, seconds fleeing by. Never had Max spoken out of turn to Victor. He also had no clue that Max had stayed with Angelina. “Thank you for taking care of my sister. I’ll forever be grateful.”

“It was my pleasure, sir. She was as lovely inside as out, just like your mother.”

“Max, did you also sit with my mother when she was sick?”

There was a long hesitation as several expressions flittered across the man’s face until a softness took hold on his jaw. “I guess there’s no reason to hide the truth any longer. Rose and I were friends and there was nothing harder than watching the life fade from her lovely eyes. Oh, truth be known, I loved her, and I’m assuming she knew my feelings, although she never spoke of it and neither did I. Your father—”

“Should have been there for her during that time,” Victor snarled.

“I understand your reasoning, but Theobald loved your mother dearly. He just didn’t know how to handle her dying. When a man has more money than he knows what to do with and yet can’t save the one person he loves most, it can break him. You might even think he didn’t care for you and your siblings, but he thought of each of you as his pride and joy. He worked hard for his family, knowing that one day he wouldn’t be here and wanting to give each of you not just an inheritance, but a chance for a brighter future. Just as Angelina was thinking of you and your brothers until she exhaled her last breath. I’m sorry she’s gone, sir, but her body was tired.”

“Max, you should indeed pack a bag,” Victor mumbled.

A gasp of breath came from the man. “Yes, sir. I’ll gather my things.” He started to turn.

“Pack for vacation, my friend.”

“Vacation, sir?’

“How long has it been since you and Danni have taken a vacation together?”

Max scratched his temple. “Years.”

“Then it’s time. You’ve done so much for my family, not just now, but over the years. It’s time I do something for you. Take your daughter on a cruise, to an island, or to Disney World. It’s on me. Enjoy her before she runs off to college.”

“Do you want me to come back, sir?” Confusion muddled Max’s expression.

“I hope you will. But only on one condition.”

“Yes?”

“Stop calling me sir. I’ve never liked it. Call me Victor. You’re as much of a family member as one can imagine.”

“Yes, si—, I mean, yes, Victor. And thank you. But, will you be okay?”

Victor nodded. “Yes, I will. Now go before I change my mind.”

After Max was gone, Victor opened his top drawer and took out the sealed letter with his name written on the front in his sister’s shaky handwriting. He opened it and took out the single paper—Angelina’s stationary with her initials in gold. Then he read …

“Dearest Victor,

I was asked the other day if I feared death. My answer, no I do not. However, there is something that scares me more than leaving this world, and that is leaving you. Please don’t live in sorrow over my death. Know that I am in a better place, without worry or pain. Realize you are not our father. You are much stronger. You have been here for me through it all. I have a confession. Avary coming here was not for the simple reason as you might still think. The moment I met her, I thought of you. I knew in my heart that you’d see how special she is and show her the love she deserves. Don’t be foolish and let her go. I’m going out on a limb here and believing that you two will fall for each other. She already knows you left her the glass panda while she was in the hospital and she has believed you were her ‘guardian angel’ just as I know she is yours. Allow faith to work its magic. Always remember me in happiness, not sorrow.

With all of my love,

Angelina.”

He sat there for an hour, re-reading the letter until his eyes crossed.

Angelina knew him well, but she didn’t know everything…especially when it came to his love life.

He folded up the letter, stuck it back into the envelope and placed it in the drawer.

****

Avary left her parents’ beach house in Florida, walked down the cobblestone pathway that led to the sand on the narrow strip of beach—their backyard. She took off her flip flops, left them by a large rock, and sunk her feet into the warm sand as she started out onto the water that met the horizon. It was a beautiful day. She was glad to be here, visiting her family. It had a been a long time since they were all under one roof. And they had reason for celebration. Dawn was getting married to Doug tomorrow.

Months had sprinted by since she’d last seen Victor, although she thought of him every day. After he’d come back from the hospital and lashed out at her, she’d left the estate, leaving everything behind except for her old cello and a broken heart.

She’d known from the beginning that loving Victor came with risks, but she took the plunge and didn’t regret the short time they’d spent together.

Reading that Angelina Knight had passed left Avary devastated. She’d grown to love the free-spirited woman, and Avary couldn’t help but worry for Victor.

Rightly so, she owed him a thank you. He made it possible for her to play in public again. He’d destroyed many of the demons that had her chained to the past. She only wished she could have helped in some way.

After taking a long walk, she turned back toward the house. Inside, she grabbed a bottle of water and stopped dead in her tracks. Sitting on the table was her glass panda. Irritation flooded her. “Mom? Why is my panda here?” she yelled.

No answer.

She took her panda, but instantly realized it wasn’t the same one. This panda was slightly different.

“Mom?” She stepped into the living room and her heart dropped into her stomach.

Standing by the fireplace was Victor. He looked handsome wearing a white button down, sleeves rolled up to his biceps, and a loose pair of khakis. He seemed to fit right in here. “Sorry, your parents, sister and her fiancé thought we could use some time alone,”

“Well, they were wrong. What are you doing here? And where did this come from?” She held up the panda.

“No, they weren’t wrong. Your family is very pleasant by the way. I’m here to see you. Obviously. And the panda, well, that’s a longer story.”

“I’m listening,” she said.

“Want to have a seat?”

“No.”

“Okay. When you were in the hospital after the attack, Angelina and I were there too. She insisted I bring you flowers, but who really wants flowers at a time like that? Flowers are supposed to be for celebrating.”

She crossed her arms. “Cut to the chase.”

“I came to your room and you were crying. I left your gifts with the nurse. The panda was from me.”

She blinked. “I-I…” What could she say? “I knew and thank you.”

“That one your holding is from me too. My way of apologizing.”

“You came an awfully long way to say sorry for being an ass.”

He nodded. “It was a bit hard finding you, but I have resourceful employees.”

“Congratulations. Now you can go.” She placed the glass figurine on the coffee table.

“I don’t want to, Avary. There’s more that I need to say.”

“I know Angelina passed. I’m sorry, really I am. I wanted to come to the funeral, but it was open only to family.”

“That’s what she wanted,” he said.

“I understand.”

“I wish the words came easily to me.” He sighed. “I’ve thought over what I’d say on the flight here. Just as soon as I thought I knew what you needed to hear, I’d scratch the whole thought and start again. I’m still not sure what I’m going to say.”

“There isn’t anything you need to say. What we shared was meant for only a short time.”

“You really mean that?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I really am at a loss.” Her eyes filled with tears and she didn’t want to lose it, not now.

“Don’t be angry with me, Avary. Please. I know I said some rotten things, but I was in pain. That’s not an excuse, because there isn’t one, but I was scared. Angelina knew you and I would be good for each other even before we knew it. You bring out the best in me, a part that I’ve hidden for far too long.”

“I’m glad, Victor, but you and I, well, we’re from different worlds. I won’t say that I don’t care for you—love you—because I do. With all of my heart. I just don’t know if you understand what love is.”

He took a small step closer. “I love you, Avary. I do.”

“Okay, but does that mean you’re ready for commitment? When we met, you had no desire to settle down and I can’t believe those feelings changed in such a short period of time. It’s possible you’re still reeling from the pain of losing Angelina and I can’t be a crutch that you’ll toss out when you’re healed.”

“I’m not perfect, sweetheart. I know that. Things aren’t perfect for us, that’s true. But for the first time in my life I’m sure of something. I’m certain that you and I are not a closed book. We have a story to tell.”

“Wow, Victor, nice words, but you hurt me. I can’t get over wondering if I was just the innocent, naïve woman who showed up on your doorstep at the right time. I can’t blame it all on you, though. I was there and I went right along with every feeling, every second. I’ve managed to put what we shared that weekend in the past. It’s over…”

“No you haven’t!”

Avary jerked her chin around, seeing Dawn. “Aren’t you supposed to be giving Victor and I some time alone?”

“Mom forgot her purse so we had to come all the way back.”

“Okay. Grab it,” Avary said.

“I could, but not without saying what I think needs to be said. You love Victor. He loves you. Why make this harder than it needs to be? Both of you are afraid of getting hurt. Fine. People get hurt, but you two will be the biggest losers if you don’t follow what you know is in your hearts.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, stomped across the room, grabbed up the small white purse and marched out.

“Your sister’s pretty smart,” Victor said.

“Yes, she is!” Dawn yelled from the hallway and a second later the door slammed closed.

He stepped across the space. “I fell for you. I’m scared, but not foolish. I’d give up all that I have just to have a future with you.”

She stayed silent, allowing his words to sink in.

“You’re right,” Victor continued, “This started as a fling. I was thinking along those lines, but somehow along the way you unlocked the gate to my heart.” He reached for her hand. “That’s now how it’s ending. Spending time with you has shown me that I am the commitment type. You left and I thought I’d heal, but instead I grow more in love with you.  I’ve never loved any woman but you. I’ve never thought of spending my life with anyone but you. I know I’ll never feel this way again about anyone else.  I can’t let you go, not until I’ve proven to you how special you are to me.”

She swallowed.

“Give us a chance, baby. Give our love a chance.”

Avary dropped to the couch, stunned at his words. “You said I bothered you.”

“You do. To no end.”

“I’d expect you to follow your dreams. The house next to the water. Why wait when you can have it all now? Maybe not the house next to your sister’s, but someplace just as nice.”

“We can do that together.” He sat beside her, but didn’t touch her.

“You wanted to make the estate into a bed and breakfast. That’s a real dream Angelina wanted for you,” Avary said.