Someone had hit her and she’d lied to him. He didn’t know which bothered him more.
James walked into the library and sat with a book he’d pulled from the shelves, but couldn’t settle his mind to read. He closed the book and set it aside.
“What’s on your mind?” Jackson asked, picking up the book. He read the complicated scientific title and frowned, “Are you trying to put yourself to sleep?”
James took the book from him and replaced it on the shelf, annoyed. His brother had never stopped by the house as many times as he had over the past couple of months, but James suspected the reason. “Ava’s hiding something,” he said.
Jackson’s brows shot up. “You’re only figuring that out now? She’s a conniving, manipulative—”
James pinned him with a look. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.”
“I get this feeling that you two know something I don’t.”
Jackson shrugged.
“Is she in trouble?”
“No.”
“Are you?”
“We all are, but I don’t have proof so don’t ask me any more questions. Just be careful. Don’t fall for her.”
“Why not?”
“That’s a joke, right? She told me…” He stopped and shook his head.
“What?”
“Forget about making her fall for you. She told me how much she feels trapped having to pretend for Mom.”
James’s brows rose in amazement. “She said that?”
He nodded.
James accepted the stinging truth of his brother’s words. No matter how much he cared about her, being with him and part of his family wasn’t what she’d bargained for. Was that why she’d lied to him? She wanted to be free, but he didn’t want to let her go.
Jackson watched his brother take another book from the shelf, feeling a twinge of guilt. He’d never seen a lie have such an impact. He hadn’t meant to hurt his brother, but knew James was becoming too attached to Ava. He hadn’t realized how much until that moment.
Jackson glanced at a light fixture, making a personal note to remind Abigail to have it dusted, then stole a look at James again. He told himself he was lying for James’s sake. That it was the only way to keep him safe. He’d rather hurt his brother than let Ava get the chance to.
Success!
Ava returned from her trip to New York brimming with joy. She stepped out of the car and stared up at the Virginia mansion, seeing it in a new light. It wasn’t her home, it was just another step to her true destiny. One day her father could afford a place like this and he’d be happy again.
She had a lot to tell her father and was eager to find her way back into his good graces. He hadn’t spoken to her since they’d seen each other at the restaurant, now she had a reason to make him proud.
The trip had given her the distance she needed to see everything with clarity. She’d gotten too close to the Fortunes and that had clouded her view. Especially, James. She’d become a little too complacent. Now she was back on track. Victory was in sight.
Abigail met her at the door with a somber expression. “I hope your journey was good?” she asked, taking her bags.
“It was great, thank you.”
Abigail began to turn then James stopped her. “I’ll take these.” When she hesitated, he said, “It’s okay.”
She nodded then left them alone.
Ava opened her mouth to offer him a greeting, but he looked away and set her bags in the corner. “There’s no need to unpack.”
She put up her guard, sensing something was wrong. Had he found out something? Had they discovered the true reason for her trip to New York? Had someone leaked about her meeting with Lortis? “Why? I don’t understand.”
James rested his hands on his hips. “We don’t have to pretend anymore.” His gaze lowered as did his voice. “Mom died yesterday.”