Cherry Creek - Dani Matthews Page 0,13

hear myself asking faintly.

“I've never counted them before.”

Not surprising.

Trace parks the SUV and cuts the engine. “Ready?”

I turn my head and give him a look. “No,” I say honestly. I'm trying hard to keep my head on straight and not allow this new life to scare the livin' crap out of me. But the sight of this large, foreboding mansion has me feeling uneasy. I don't belong here.

Trace grins. “Your honesty is refreshing.”

We'll see what Khristos thinks of it. He seems like the type who expects obedience. I'm feeling far from obedient at the moment.

With great reluctance, I allow Trace to escort me out of the SUV and into the daunting structure before us. A large foyer is the first thing we step into upon entering, and I look around at the tall windows allowing bright sunlight to filter in. Then, I scan the high ceiling before glancing down at the shiny floors. I'm afraid to touch anything. I'm extremely conscious of my ratty backpack hanging over my shoulder and the dull, threadbare suitcase that Trace is holding onto. I'd give anything to be back at the apartment with Brad being my only concern.

“You don't like it, do you?” Trace muses.

I meet his gaze. “Wealth is meaningless if you're not happy. And right now, this is all meaningless.”

His gray eyes drift down to my throat where faint bruises are still visible. His lips tighten slightly in the corners, and his eyes drift back up to meet mine. “One day it won't be. I think you'll be very happy here once you adjust to it all.”

I don't bother to reply as I hear footsteps approaching. I turn and find that Khristos is walking towards us, a genuine smile on his face when he sees me. He seems different somehow. In Missouri, he'd been reserved, kind of stiff. He still comes off as standoffish, because his demeanor is what I would call politely friendly. But still...he seems more genuine now that we're in his home.

“Livia. How was your flight?” he asks as he approaches.

“It was fine. And it's Livvy,” I correct him as I study the man that has now become my guardian. Does he even own a pair of jeans? He's wearing gray pants with a black belt, and a long-sleeved, white button down shirt tucked into his pants. I'm guessing his clothes cost more than what I made in a month at my job. Not a strand of blond hair is out of place on his head, and I am once again taken aback by how handsome he is. His face is flawless and tanned. When he smiles, his teeth gleam, and those dark eyes of his hold a glint of authority. This is a man that is definitely used to getting his way.

Khristos glances at Trace and nods. “I can take it from here.”

Trace sets down my suitcase and looks at me, smiling slightly. “Welcome home, Livvy.”

“Thanks,” I say in a cautiously polite tone. I may not be happy to be here, but I don't see the point of being needlessly rude.

Trace nods at Khristos, then turns and walks further into the mansion before disappearing around a corner.

“I'm thinking you're probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. I thought I'd show you your room and allow you to explore the house on your own when you feel up to it,” Khristos says lightly.

I turn my attention back to him and nod in agreement. I really need some alone time to regroup. Not to mention I'm tired. I had barely slept an hour last night, because I'd been nervous about this new upheaval in my life.

Khristos steps forward and picks up my suitcase. “I hope you like your room. I asked your mother what you liked and had a friend decorate it,” he says as I follow him out of the foyer and into a larger room that has a staircase leading to the second floor. Arching doorways are located on either side of the second foyer, exposing abnormally large rooms. I spy a hallway in the corner that leads further into the back of the mansion.

I'm going to need a map to navigate this place.

As I follow Khristos up the stairs, I gaze around at the elegant, pale walls with the delicate, brown trim. The floor is shiny like the foyer, and I feel bad walking on it with my shoes on. We walk down a hallway, and I spy numerous doorways on either side. The fifth door on the left