Page 54 of The Silence of Hell

“Yup. Let them get on with it. I’ll testify against them and ensure they get what they deserve. For what they did to Aunt Aggie and me, justice will be served,” I replied firmly.

I looked around. Far too many people were listening in, and I hated my personal life being spread about.

“Shall we see what your team has found and update everyone with the gossip?” I asked.

Phoe and Callie nodded, but both had looks of sympathy.

“Sure. We’ll start some lunch. Despite the fact we hit the diner and tearooms, we didn’t actually eat,” Phoe suggested and walked inside with Callie on her heels. Dan and Kelly headed back to the library, and Tatum followed Phoe and Callie into the kitchen.

“Are you okay?” Chatter said, running his hand down my arm.

“What are you playing at Chatter?” I asked as my frustration boiled over. “You told me you are not looking for long-term, and I do not do short-term. Now, because I had a date, you’re all interested and touchy-feeley. You state we’re going out on a date, and I’m just so damn confused. And I don’t need bullshit! I need solid ground under my feet.”

“I can’t get you out of my head. That has not happened to me before,” Chatter soothed.

“That’s not my fault, Chatter. But there’s so much going on around me, I need someone to support and care for me. Not pick me up and put me down or tell me I’m not good enough to risk falling in love with,” I replied.

“I never meant it like that,” Chatter denied.

“But that’s how it came across. You put Hallie on a pedestal, and nobody can match her. Sorry, Chatter, but I am not second best to anyone!”

“Lavender.” Chatter sounded frustrated and ran his hands through his hair. “I want to see if we can make something together.”

“No. This is bull. You’re acting like this because I went on a date with Tatum. And you didn’t like that somebody showed interest in me. Chatter, I’m not a shiny new toy or an old comfortable shoe. To decide you want me because someone else does isn’t fair to me. Because then, once you get me, you’ll get bored, and I’ll be back at square one!”

Chatter hauled me into his body before I could say anything else and kissed me firmly. “Does that feel like I might get bored?” he demanded as he rocked his groin against mine, making me moan. I could feel the outline of his cock against me, and shit, he was big!

“Lavender!” Callie called from inside.

“Make no mistake, this isn’t because you went on a date with someone else!” Chatter warned. “I’ll be in once I’ve got control of my dick!”

I nodded dumbly and headed in. That had been totally unexpected.

Chapter Twelve.

Lavender

Callie was very excited by the readings that had been taken, and while a lot of what she and her team presented was beyond me, I guessed they had something.

Phoe had managed to coax Sin away from the journal for lunch, and Sin was showing me the scans on her laptop that she had. Sin kept mentioning how clear the ink was and how astounding it was that it hadn’t faded.

“The family has a recipe; it is written in the front. We have to use that ink and that ink alone in it. The recipe can’t be changed, although we can change the colour. Apart from that, everything must be made exactly the same way,” I explained.

“I saw that but wasn’t sure if it was used for the journal. It’s an outstanding document. Anything your family thought important in their lives is recorded here. There are records of births, death, balls, parties, and illnesses. And I’m still on Richard’s entries. He detailed his leaving from England and how he took the name of Bloodsworth,” Sin said with excitement.

I briefly explained about the legend, and Sin nodded.

“That’s exactly how it happened! Richard challenged his father on the value of their blood line when the duke tried to disown him. It’s an amazing story. He also talks about the Star of Lucia. That was his mother’s name, and the gem was part of her dowery. Lucia snuck it to him when he left alongside some of her family jewels. It seems Lucia didn’t agree with the duke’s decision to disown their youngest son,” Sin said.

“Star of Lucia?” I asked.

“He doesn’t describe it, but he says it is a good luck charm for his family. It’s brought them great wealth over here,” Sin replied.

“Not something someone would be likely to sell,” Chatter mused.

His mind had gone where mine had. The missing jewellery.

“Has anyone been in the cellar?” Kelly questioned, entering the kitchen.

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