Page 16 of Nothing to Fear

Maybe he was right. Confronting her experience might give her a better perspective, when she was ready. She wasn’t ready yet. Not that she’d necessarily recognize readiness if it jumped up and bit her on the ass. Joy.

FIVE

DINNER WITH THE Breckenridge family started with a forty-five-minute limo drive. Talk of what the night might hold and future events occupied them. Having their Intimates team in close quarters, without work as a distraction, they searched online and signed up for events to raise money for various charities. At least they’d accomplished something, even if the rest of the night was a bust.

Such a long drive there would equal a long one home. Hmm. They had work bright and early. It wouldn’t be a late night… Would it be a late night? Sharing a car there implied they’d need to share one back. How much would a cab ride to the city cost? Would slipping out early be rude?

When they slowed to take an offshoot with its own flanking columns, intrigue lit. They drove for a while, then a broad gate opened to grant them entry to yet more road.

Both inside and outside the gate were huts, security no doubt. Amazing. The rich could afford to take excellent care of themselves. They wouldn’t be burglarized any time soon. Why was that in her head? It happened a million years ago. The Lighting Darkness call, that’s why. Jacob.

The house came into view and none of them could find the words. Three floors high, the broad curved staircase at the front led to more columns.

“Wow,” Nessa said. “This is like a palace.”

Nothing “like” a palace. It was exactly that.

The car came to a halt and ushers rushed over to open both back doors. Shit. Celeste’s order to dress up was opportune. Good save, boss. When choosing her outfit, she’d restrainedherself and gone with a cocktail dress and heels. Maybe a ballgown would’ve been a better choice. Not that she owned a ballgown. Who owned a ballgown? Alice Breckenridge, that’s who. The matriarch would have a bunch of them, probably got bored switching between them every weekend for glitzy occasions… If she wore one more than once. Maybe she got a new one for every new event. What a life.

They ascended and the doors seemed to open without assistance. That thought disappeared in the wonder of the glowing chandelier brightening a vast space with a gleaming white floor and breathtaking double staircase.

“Wow,” came from more than one mouth, probably hers too.

Like Christmas in some movie, the walls, the corners, every inch glistened, pure gleaming luxe cleanliness. Who had the time to keep all this space spotless? How did someone even dust a chandelier? When the family were sleeping? Did they do it by candlelight? Wouldn’t get a Swiffer duster up there with all the will in the world, not from floor level, and she didn’t see a ladder.

“Good evening!”

Alice Breckenridge appeared on the overlooking floor between the staircases. Like a balcony, it presented the woman aloft for all to behold. Fairytale stuff.

“Wow,” Nessa murmured under her breath again.

Alice twisted as three kids came to join her and put her hand on the tallest one’s head. “Allow me to introduce Astor, he’s thirteen.” And already as tall as his mother. “Dougie.” The middle one got a touch. “Eleven.” She took the smallest by the hand. “And this is Buoy. He’s five. These are my three youngest.”

Wow, she had a five-year-old? Caber and Darroch were definitely full grown. Very full grown, all adult developed in all the right ways full grown, and Alice was still raising infants? Thewoman must love risky sex… or the couple had a breeding fetish. Guess they could afford it.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Celeste said, stepping up as the foursome descended. “I’m Celeste. This is Yvette, Nessa, and Savanna.”

“Do you go by Savanna?” Alice asked.

“She’s Savvy, mostly,” Celeste answered.

“Anna’s the name she gives to no-hope guys in clubs,” Nessa offered.

What the hell value did that add to the conversation?

Celeste, luckily, re-routed the discussion. “Will your husband be joining us?”

“Yes. If you follow me…”

They went through a grand living room decked out in gold décor to a sort of reception space with a bar and beyond into a dining room that stopped her in her tracks.

The long table wasn’t fully set. Only a few places at the top were prepared for diners. What a length though, how many people did the Breckenridges feed on a daily basis? There had to be at least ten spots down each side, maybe twelve.

Forcing herself to approach with the others, a guy in a suit, like a butler, showed them to their assigned seats. Before they could sit, a door at the head of the room opened to produce three men. Caber, Darroch, and an older man, Benedict Breckenridge, no question about his identity.

“Good evening,” patriarch Benedict Breckenridge proclaimed. “Well, boys, it looks like we’re in luck, dining with such accomplished winners tonight. Welcome, all.”

He went to kiss his wife and help her into her seat before picking up Buoy to settle him too.

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