Page 34 of Hide and Keep

“Yes, sir?” He reappears instantly, like he knew I’d need something else.

Watching.

“I saw boxes on some of the trees around the forest. What are they for?”

“Conservation.”

“Mr.—”

“MissMunreaux has a proclivity for things that fly.”

Birdhouses.

“Are you supposed to be telling me that?”

There’s a long pause before he says, “Perhaps not. However, I would be remiss not to warn you to keep your distance from them. I’m told their inhabitants are extremely territorial.”

What the fuck am I gonna do to a bunch of birdhouses? They’re high up anyway.

“What about the other building on the property? The one with the glass roof. Can you tell me what that’s for?”

“Same purpose. Conservation.”

“Let me guess, the inhabitants of that are territorial, too?”

“Not that I’m aware of, no. Nonetheless, I strongly advise staying away from it as well.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because while the inhabitants themselves may not be territorial, their caretaker is.”

Ever? Is that why she’s so against my presence here? I don’t want anything of hers, only a small fraction of her father’s fortune.

“Is there anything else I may assist you with?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m good. Thank you.”

He disappears without another sound.

Ever pushes off the side of the pool, heading for the outside half, when I notice movement from the pool house’s doorway. Assuming Edwin’s just checking up on Ever on his way back into the main house, I head to the bedroom, shedding my shoes and clothes on the way to the en-suite bathroom. Down to my boxers, I’m just about to turn on the water when the image replays in my head. The pants. They were that pale red color rich people love so much. Edwin was wearing black slacks with a crisp white button-up.

I spin on my heel and beeline it back to the glass floor. No matter what angle I look from though, I can’t make out anything higher than the pants of the person still lingering in the doorway. They’re not Edwin’s and they don’t look like they belong to Arthur either, so whose are they?

Ever’s just coming back in from outside when the person moves suddenly, shifting their weight and dropping their arms enough for me to catch a diamond-encrusted watch on one wrist.

Did she invite someone over?

Motherfucker.

I’m out of the guesthouse in the next breath, charging down the stairs. I have to hike around to the other side of the pool house, and by the time I reach it, the doorway’s empty.

He’s in there with her. I know it. Probably already balls deep in her just to fuck with me. Like I’d quit over seeing her fucking someone. Or someone fucking her.

I shake both scenarios from my head, the discomfort tightening my back muscles as I throw open the door.

“Ever!” I roar, my voice echoing.

The splashing in the center of the pool doesn’t stop, only sloshes higher, and I jump in without thought, ripping Ever away from…

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