Brazen and Breathless (Untouchable #6) - Heather Long Page 0,42

Edward and Muriel. At least I’d always had Grandpa and Nana.

In the car, I started it up and the music started pouring from the speakers. Raking a hand through my hair, I pressed my mouth against my abused knuckles before I pulled out my phone. A quick text to Jeremy to find out where he was.

Home.

Well the house, anyway. I wasn’t sure I really considered it home anymore.

I sent him an on my way and then pulled out. It was another forty-five minutes back to the house, and it gave me time to stew. I’d been stewing since Coop texted us the night before and I got home to read the email myself.

Jeremy was working in his tidy little office just off the kitchen when I got there. “There’s coffee brewed, Mr. Archie, and some sandwiches. I suspected you might not have paused for breakfast.” He glanced up, then removed his reading glasses to give me a stern once over. Yeah, I didn’t think he’d miss the hand.

Rising, he set his reading glasses down, then motioned me back into the kitchen. I settled at the island while he poured the coffee and set the platter of sandwiches along with some chips in front of me. He stepped out, only to return a moment later with the first aid kit.

He didn’t ask and I didn’t offer, just sipped the coffee and stared out the windows toward the garden. Only when he finished and had put an ice pack in place, did he give me a hard look.

“We’ve discussed your new-found penchant for leading with your fists,” he scolded, disappointment in his voice. “You will win far more battles with words and wits, than with fists.”

“True,” I agreed. “But sometimes, you just want to knock the fucker on his ass. Or at least I do.”

“Should I be calling your lawyer?”

“Doubtful,” I said, though that would be an interesting twist if Edward decided to have me charged with assault.

Worth it.

“Did you get a hold of Wittaker?”

“I did,” he said. “He’s tied up in court this week with a case, but so far, there has been no movement from Ms. Curtis on the matter, nor has any counter suit been filed. They do, however, have another ten days to answer that suit. They may be running the clock out.”

“That seems like an exercise in futility, right? She turns eighteen in three months.” This all presupposed that Madeline Curtis planned to contest the emancipation hearing. Still, would she be petty enough to fight over three months?

The bite of my sandwich settled like a hard lump in my stomach as though answering that question for me.

“Perhaps. I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess in either direction at this point. I’m afraid Ms. Curtis’ motives seem a bit of a mystery to me.”

What a polite way of calling her a crazy bitch. My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it. It was the group chat. Jake was teasing Frankie about something, and she kept sending him flip off emojis, which was kind of flirting. My name flashed across the screen. Frankie wanted to know if I was doing all right. Just checking in.

“That seems to be going rather well,” Jeremy commented as he studied me.

“It is going well,” I admitted. “It was easier in Colorado, even with all of them there and knowing she’s with them, too. It worked and yet…”

I frowned and then shook my head.

“Nothing.”

“I would say your feelings are hardly nothing, Mr. Archie. While this relationship you have involved yourself in is hardly conventional, one truism to making all relationships work is open, honest communication. If something is bothering you, you should not repress it. Your feelings have merit.”

I chuckled. “I’m okay, Jere. Seriously. It’s just that some days, I want her all to myself and I don’t want to share. I want to be the reason she smiles or she flirts, and it’s not always going to be me. I’m glad she has them. I am…”

“But you want her to want you the way you want her.” It wasn’t a guess. “You have been in love with that young lady for years. She’s exceptionally good for you.”

“But…?” Because there was always a but.

“But you are in a unique position, and one I am familiar with.”

Excuse me? I leaned back and stared at him. “Did I miss something, Jere?” Did he even date? I should know this, right?

Jeremy chuckled. “Well, perhaps not the exact same position, but I serve this household and I have