Page 20 of Richmond’s Legacy

Jace

My mother was officially driving me crazy.

I tried not to mind her near-constant presence when I was at home. I tried to appreciate having her back in my life. But Sheryll had internalized the misguided idea that she had some sway over me. She thought she had some say in my comings and goings, even though she’d abandoned me to Jesse’s care as a boy.

She’d also thrown a wrench in my plan to ask Greer to stay at my place—as soon as she felt stronger.

Now that I’d had a chance to calm down, I’d realized I’d let my anger cloud my better judgment. I didn’t want Greer staying at Richmond House alone anymore, even if Eugenia was there. Even if the “attic ghost,” or whatever, was gone. The facts were clear— someone had killed Linus in the woods just steps from the front door. Someone had stolen Greer’s things and messed around in the attic. And even if I was okay with Greer living with Eugenia, who was potentially a white-collar criminal, it didn’t change the fact that there were two vulnerable women out there in a falling-down house with non-working doors and only each other to rely on.

Nope.

Time for Greer to stay with me, I’d decided late last night.

But of course, that meant I’d have had to introduce her to Sheryll, and it was clear to me that there was no way Sheryll could leave Greer alone to recuperate. Not if the last twenty-four hours were any indication. I’d just have to come up with a better solution.

I told myself repeatedly that I didn’t mind her staying with me, but the woman was relentless. When I’d gotten home late from my meeting with Marina, still trying to sort through the emotions of the past few days, she’d been waiting up for me. With hot chocolate.

When I’d begged off and headed for my room to get some sleep, it was clear she’d taken it upon herself to turn down my bed and fluff my pillow. I knew she was just trying to show me what a good houseguest she was—and maybe trying to make up for all the years she wasn’t a good mother. I appreciated it, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I woke up to a missed call from Greer. Sitting up in bed, I immediately called her back, but there was no answer. Fucking Richmond House and its fucking lack of cell coverage and Internet. I was tired of that shit, tired of not being able to contact my girl when I wanted to. What if I was too late? What if something happened last night and she’d needed me?

Chilled now at the thought, I threw on a pair of black joggers and a charcoal T-shirt under my leather jacket. One didn’t just “swing by” Richmond House—it was more than a little out of the way—but if I hurried, I could check on Greer and get back in time to shower and suit up for work. I’d bring her a coffee and apologize for the way I’d left her hanging and then walked out the door yesterday evening. We could finally talk. Maybe we could get a hotel together for the next few nights until I figured out what to do about Sheryll.

I’d been holding Greer at arm’s length, refusing to accept her explanations for why she did what she did. But if I wanted to keep her, I needed to. Not only that, I needed to show her I was the kind of man who would be there for her no matter what.

If my conversation with Marina last night had taught me anything, it was how stupid in love I was with my girl. I didn’t care what she’d done or not done anymore. I’d let her explain, I’d believe what she said, and we’d put it behind us. I knew now that Anna was somehow involved in the whole mess. Maybe together, we could figure out how.

I picked up Greer’s favorite peppermint latte in town—at least I hoped it was still her favorite—making sure to order it extra-hot so it would still be warm when I arrived. She’d parked the Bronco alongside the house. I rapped on the back door, hoping she could hear it if she was still in bed.

I took a moment to appreciate the thought of Greer in bed, hair tousled, eyes sleepy. Maybe she was wearing silk, the outline of her small nipples visible beneath the thin fabric. I rapped on the door again, louder this time. I’d wet them with my tongue before sliding down the silk…

The door opened wide, emitting a nasty, guttural screech, but it wasn’t Greer who answered. It was a man. A large man.

“Oh, hey, man. Sorry, heard you knocking, but it took a while to remember how to get to where it was coming from. This place is unreal, am I right?”

“Who the fu…who are you?”

“Whoa. Calm down, sir. You here for Greer? She’s around. Greer!” he called into the house.

“Who. Are. You?”

“Name’s Wade. Wade Cook. I’m Greer’s coworker from the paper in Shreveport.”

I couldn’t remember whether Greer had mentioned Wade before, or if I knew the name from shared-byline articles I’d read, but regardless, I’d imagined Wade Cook as a balding fifty-something—not a guy my age who was easily as tall as I was. He wasn’t quite as built, though, and his sandy hair and brown eyes made him look like a quintessential mama’s boy, I noted smugly. Still, this man had obviously slept in Greer’s house. She hadn’t even told me he was coming.

“Look, man,” Wade drawled into the silence that had settled over us. “You’re Jace, right? Greer and I are just friends. I showed up last night to surprise her because I hadn’t been able to get ahold of her, and I was worried. She offered me a place to sleep. That’s all.”

I gave a sharp nod, slightly mollified, until I heard Greer call from somewhere inside the house.

“Wade?”

“Would you like to come in?” Wade asked me, widening the door just as Greer stepped into the frame behind him.

“Jace? What are you doing here?”

She hadn’t worn silk to bed. She’d worn an oversized T-shirt, one that barely covered her ass and made it look like she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. I knew because that’s what she came to the door in as her “friend” Wade made sure not to look. Whatever calm I’d been feeling at Wade’s explanation of his presence evaporated.

“Is that how you answer the door now? In a T-shirt?”

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