Winter a small bow. She smiled brightly, happy to be moving one step closer to justice for her dad. We hoped.
As arranged earlier, Weston called over to us as we were heading into the house. “I’m gonna check the leak on your car, Winter. Catch you inside in a few.” Winter gave him a wave, and we walked inside, Allan closing the door behind us.
“How’ve you been?” I made small talk with Allan as we moved through the house, heading to the small sitting room where my father and Christine were apparently waiting. Winter walked a couple of paces behind us. It was shit, but we had to act like nothing was going on between us. No point adding to the drama.
“Well, thank you. Other than a cough I can’t seem to shake.” He coughed hoarsely as if on cue. “Excuse me.”
Winter made an effort to join in with our conversation to seem polite when Allan stopped and waited for her to catch up with us. “Thank you. Uh…sorry about your cough. Honey and lemon helps, I find.” She stared awkwardly at him and continued. “Sooo…how long have you worked here, Allan?”
“Nine years, Miss Huntington,” he answered politely, and I could see her cast around for something else to say, her politeness coming across a little unnatural, and clearly making them both uncomfortable. Sighing under my breath, I distracted them by asking Allan his thoughts on Chelsea football team’s latest transfer, and she shot me a private, grateful smile.
Allan showed us into the small sitting room, then disappeared. My dad looked up from his position on the brown chesterfield sofa as we entered, tablet balanced on his knee and his reading glasses on.
“Caiden. Winter. No Weston?” The table lamp next to him threw shadows across his face, making him appear older, almost weary.
“He’ll be in in a minute. Just checking something on Winter’s car.” I lightly caressed the back of Winter’s hand with my finger, where my father couldn’t see, then crossed over and took a seat opposite him.
“Where’s Chr—my mother?” Winter asked hesitantly. The plan was to keep an eye on them both. Of course, my dad had security and cameras and all sorts of shit, so we could never be too careful, but we’d planned everything to eliminate as many risks as possible. Winter’s car had been parked next to her mother’s car, behind my dad’s, and since there was no reason for anyone to be suspicious, we were hoping West could get away with planting the trackers undetected. They were easy to place—under the wheel arch, attached by a powerful magnet, they took only seconds to put on.
“Your mother’s in the dining room. Choosing new curtains, apparently.” My dad shrugged. “Why, when there’s nothing wrong with the ones we have. I’m at a loss.”
“Should I go?” Winter directed her question at my dad, but it was me she was really asking. My dad and I both nodded, and she slipped out of the room. I watched her go, admiring her sexy ass swaying in her tight jeans as she disappeared, then turned back to my dad to find him studying me with a frown.
“While I can’t say I miss the days of blatant hostility between the two of you, I’m not sure I like the way you were looking at Winter just then, Caiden. Please try to remember, she’s your stepsister and not one of your bimbos. Anything you say or do reflects on myself and your stepmother.” He levelled me with a severe look. “Need I remind you, I’m in the process of negotiating a huge contract for Alstone Holdings, and we can’t afford even a whiff of scandal.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. You remind me every fucking time I speak to you.”
“Language.” His sharp tone reprimanded me.
“Sorry.” I made an effort to calm down, leaning back in the seat, trying to appear relaxed. “How are the negotiations coming on, anyway?”
The frown left his face, replaced with an almost pleased look, and he placed his tablet down, giving me his full attention. “They’re going well. After the Christmas break, I’m confident we should be able to wrap things up fairly quickly, all being well. By the end of January, at the very latest, I’d say. The De Witts are responding favourably to our negotiations, and as long as all goes to plan, this deal will mean we’ll not only be able to expand internationally, but we’ll be able to source high quality construction materials directly