I turned to find Franklin waiting for me in his usual spot, newspaper and coffee in hand, his throat working to swallow a sip before he set the mug on a side table with a quiet click.
“Since when have I announced any of my overnight guests? Is there a book they should use to sign in?”
His brow arched, the cold lines of his face barely moving as he set the paper aside and crossed an ankle over a knee. Even at this early hour, he was already dressed in a grey suit with a pressed white shirt beneath the jacket.
I never understood how he wore those suits twenty-four seven. I couldn’t stand them, but still cleaned up extraordinarily well when I had to.
“It didn’t take long for her to crawl under your skin, did it? Please tell me you fucked her once to scratch an old itch and you’re not planning to make a habit of it.”
“I didn’t fuck her at all. She slept on the floor.”
The skin crinkled between his eyes. “Why?”
“Because she’s my servant now, and that’s where I wanted her. Why are you so surprised? Edward must have called you immediately after I spoke with him to tattle.”
He grinned.
“While you are technically head of the family, I’m still the one who sees to it that everything runs smoothly. Of course he told me what is going on. And to say I’m pissed would be an understatement. You’re playing with fire, and you know it.”
“How so?”
Blinking his eyes once, Franklin shifted in his seat.
“There’s a fight in two days that you need to prepare for if you plan on stepping foot in that ring. Yet, instead of managing that, you’re playing sleepover with the only woman I know of that has the ability to distract you. Is she really worth the risk to your life?”
A muscle in my jaw ticked. “I’m sparring today and will be preparing in other ways tomorrow. She won’t distract me from that.”
Franklin’s eyes flicked past my shoulder, so much contempt twisting his expression that I knew Lisbeth had finally emerged from my room to step into view.
He didn’t acknowledge her openly, simply dragged his disapproval back my direction to pin me in place.
“Where are you going now?”
“To eat and then I’ll be leaving for the day. Tell Benny to expect me in a few hours.”
Franklin nodded and snatched his paper from the couch, unfolding it to hide his face as I left with Lisbeth following behind me.
We weaved the labyrinth of halls, eventually finding our way to the first floor. I led her through the family dining room and into the kitchen, her eyes widening with surprise when the staff greeted me and went back to their work as I walked to the small table set up near a side wall where I preferred to eat breakfast.
I’d always felt more comfortable around the staff than I did the higher ups of the family and businesses, and I was sure to always treat them well. They treated me well just the same.
Ellen, one of the main cooks and a member of the staff who hadn’t been shot on the night of Lisbeth’s ball, ran over to pat me on the shoulder.
“Callan. We’ll have your food for you shortly.” Eyes darting to Lisbeth, her expression twisted with confusion. “Shall I bring a second plate as well?”
I glanced up, my eyes drifting to Lisbeth before settling back on the face of the woman who had been friends with my mother.
As usual, Ellen had her silver hair pulled back behind a net, her uniform of white shirt on white pants spotless and pressed. She had the kindest green eyes I’d ever seen, always smiling, even when I was a child and she would sneak me treats after I’d been punished for whatever Lisbeth lied about.
“No. But if you could send someone to bring Gretchen here, I’d appreciate it.”
Ellen flashed Lisbeth one last scathing look before running off to do as I asked. While she did that, Lisbeth stood awkwardly near me. I took my phone out of my pocket to play some stupid game I’d downloaded for free.
Minutes passed without a word between us, my breakfast plate set on the table just as Gretchen walked up.
“Mr. Rose.”
I loaded a spoonful of eggs on my fork before glancing at her, but rather than shoving them in my mouth, I flung them to the floor in a way that was purely accidental.