“You are my family,” Hudson says, pointing an authoritative finger in my direction, “and as I said, I will do what I have to do to protect every member of my family from falling into one of her games. That includes you. And I’m telling you that you need to seriously consider the motives of this girl’s involvement with you.”
I shake my head. I’m at a loss. Hudson is treating me like I’m a teenager who’s frustrated that his car keys have been taken away for the weekend. Does he really believe that I’m not capable of looking after myself?
And his latest insinuation is the worst. “Are you suggesting that she’s only with me to get to you?” Ironically, Genny half-admitted to going home with me that first night because of who I am and what a relationship with me would gain for her father.
But then she tried to distance herself from me for exactly the same reason.
So I hear him, but I’m not buying what he’s saying. “She’s not with me because of you, Hudson. She’s with me despite you.”
His eyes narrow. “Are you so sure about that? Is that what she’s told you? Why is she with you?” He’s calm in his questions. Reasonable. “It seems awfully convenient how the two of you continually cross paths, doesn’t it? How you didn’t know who her stepmother was. How she shows up at your office. At your dinner meetings. Awfully convenient.”
In a matter of seconds, I replay our entire relationship. That night at the gala, had she been interested before I gave her my name? Then, it was her who’d shown up at the office. She’d shown up at the dinner. Are there reasons to suspect she’d been after me, despite the times she’s made me chase her? “You think she’s playing me. For Celia.”
“I’d bet on it.”
No. I won’t believe it. I had to fight for her interest. And the chemistry between us is legit—I’m sure of it.
“You’re a conceited asshole,” I tell my brother. “You know that? I try to tell you about the girl I’m in love with and you immediately make it all about you.”
“I’m not making this about anyone. I’m telling you that if you continue to spend time with that woman and her family, there will not be a place for you anywhere near us.” He turns away from me to retrieve his tumbler and carries it to the bar, leaving it right side up to indicate it’s been used. He’s done with me. Done with this conversation.
“Asshole is too good of a word for you.” I start for the door when Alayna speaks up behind me.
“You’re right, Chandler.”
I turn back to her, relieved someone’s talking sense, and though I don’t look at him, I feel Hudson’s attention is equally directed at his wife.
“It’s not fair,” she continues. “This poor innocent girl is caught up in the middle of something bigger, and placing judgment on her for something completely out of her control is a pile of shit. I’m always the first one to give a person the benefit of the doubt. We’re all slaves to our weaknesses, but we also have a great amount of strength and resilience. It’s very possible that Celia is no longer interested in harassing us. It’s also possible that Genevieve is simply a woman who sees the incredible man you are. Who wouldn’t be with you? Why wouldn’t any girl fall head over heels for you?”
Have I mentioned I’ve always liked Laynie? And not just because she’s hot. Right now I could kiss her.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “Now that’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard since I was brought in here.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m not done. See, with Celia Werner,” Laynie’s eyes are sympathetic as she looks at me, “you can’t take any chances. She’ll take advantage of anyone and everyone. She’ll play very deep, manipulative games, and her pawns rarely know they’re playing into her hands. So I’m sorry, but Hudson’s right too. It was bad enough when it was just H and me that she terrorized. Now we have the children to think about. If there’s any reason to believe that Celia has influenced Genevieve—and I’m afraid there is—then I have to do what’s best for my family.”
Of everything that’s been said in the last half an hour, these are the words with the most impact. “Laynie. You know I love those kids more than almost anyone. I’d do nothing to bring them pain, and I’m telling you, Genny is a good person.”
She smiles, and I can see that, despite her exhaustion, she’s got her head on straight. She knows what she’s saying. “And Mina adores you to the moon and back. As for Genny, she might very well be the most decent person on this earth. I feel sorry for her. If she’s involved in a Celia scheme at all, I’m sure she’s being manipulated or bullied into her actions. Which makes me sorry for you too.”
“I don’t need your pity,” I say, harsher than I mean to.
“You don’t need pity,” Hudson agrees. “You need our wisdom. Alayna and I are telling you from experience that you need to run while you can.”
I shake my head again, as though it will block out the words he’s saying. The thing is—he’s an asshole. I’m convinced of that in this moment. But on the other hand, he’s never done anything like this to me before. Laynie’s definitely never been against me like this. Until now, I’ve trusted them both with my life. Even when he’s been irritating, I’ve never had a reason to believe Hudson was against me.
I just…I don’t want it to be true.