I get the batter made up and switch on the waffle iron, and I can hear movement coming from the bedroom. He has excellent timing.
“A guy could get used to this,” he says, as he walks toward me in nothing but his boxers.
“I’ll supply the food, and you can bring the view,” I smirk at him and he returns it.
“Well, well, well. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting with me.” He comes closer and drops his face down to my neck.
“I thought I’d give it a try. I have no idea if I’m any good at it though.” I laugh, even as my neck feels impossibly hot, and a tingling sensation passes up the back of my neck.
“It works for me,” he says against my skin, and I shiver as he slips his hand inside my dressing gown.
This feels so domestic, and beyond natural. It’s like we’ve always done this, and it feels... weird.
“I have one more surprise for you, Tiny One, and then we’ll have to return to normality. We must leave your necklace somewhere though. We can’t risk anyone discovering where we’ve gone.” He pulls his hand away, and starts grabbing plates and setting them up on the counter, before switching on the coffeemaker.
“Can I ask where we’re going?”
“It’s complicated. I’ve got a place that I need to view. Hopefully, it will end up being my permanent residence, and then we’re going to see someone. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll like you,” he says easily, and I guess I can’t ask for any more information. I’ll just have to be patient and see what happens.
We get into a different car this time, and my necklace is sitting on his kitchen counter, screaming at me to run in and grab it. What if I’m seen without it? What if someone recognizes Tucker? I know he isn’t as well known as everyone else, but someone will surely recognize him at some point.
“Is this your car?” I ask, as I look at the fabric upholstery, and fairly basic stereo. It’s not a typical Harkwright car at all. It’s probably the kind I would buy.
“It is, it’s one of the few things that has no connection to the Harkwright name. Sometimes, I like to be normal, and it’s hard to do that if you’re driving around in a Vanquish, Bentley, or Ferrari. There is nothing wrong with a Ford Focus, and I’m not a pretentious prick like the rest of them.” He checks the road as though it’s done him harm, before pulling away.
“I know you may not answer this, but it’s been bugging me since I got accepted...” I trail off, and wait for him to say that it’s okay to speak my mind.
“Just come out with it. It’s so fucking annoying that you ask to ask a question. If I don’t want to answer, I won’t. It’s as simple as that,” he says roughly. He flexes his finger against the steering wheel, before undoing the top button of his shirt.
This man is giving me emotional whiplash, so why do I like him so much? What is this connection between us, that has me saying things I wouldn’t usually? How can I bear to be around him when he can cut me down so easily?
“Are you all related, or am I missing something? I know you all share the same surname, but...” I don’t really know how to finish my sentence.
“No, we’re not all technically related. Some of us aren’t even true Harkwrights. We share no blood or anything, but we have the name and that’s all that matters.” He rubs at the back of his neck, but that doesn’t sound right.
“I thought blood is what matters to your family, that adoption doesn’t count and if you don’t share blood, then you won’t be counted as one. Unless you marry into the family, I guess.”
“Marriage doesn’t make you one of us, it just gives you the name. A lot of power comes from owning it, but if you don’t have the acceptance of Sir and the other Matriarchs, then you won’t last long. In your case, you wouldn’t have been a legacy if your mom had attended instead of your birth mom. For us, however, it’s a little different.” He cuts me the side eye, and I don’t want to test his patience any further.
“What, you have nothing left to ask? Come on now, Five, you clearly have something else on your mind.”
“How many of you are Harkwrights by blood?”
“Out of the guys in attendance, it would be,” he strokes his chin, as he mouths names that I can’t make out, “eight. I could be missing someone, but I’m sure it’s eight. Two are adopted like you, three are stepchildren, and the last two cousins by marriage, but on the outsiders side. Family can petition to Sir to allow them to use the name, but they have to work for him and follow his rules. The parents and the children, that’s why not everyone is happy about attending that place.” He grinds his jaw back and forth, as he grips the steering wheel tight enough to turn his knuckles white. “The outsiders are never poor, and they have to pay money into the family trust, basically they buy their way in. If they have skills, they’re welcomed in. However, not everyone can buy their way in. If you will not be useful to the family, then you’ll be turned away. It’s messed up and like something out of a movie, but it’s our life.”
“You’ve been there twice though, haven’t you? If you don’t like it, then why did you come back?” Maybe I should buy myself a gag, that may shut me up. I doubt it.
“Who said I didn’t like it? However, I chose to attend last time because I wanted the experience, this year I just wanted to escape from reality for a while. Do not ask me why,” he growls that last part, and my mouth slams shut.
See, I can follow instructions - that aren’t baking recipes - when I need to.
“We haven’t got a guard detail this time, so don’t wander off alone. This will also stay between us, I can’t afford to get a beating from Sir for acting irresponsibly.”
I nod in response, and I wonder how he pulled it off. If we’re not allowed to be out without a guard, then how did he get rid of them?
We pull up to a two-story brownstone, with a manicured lawn and a sprinkler working happily. There are roses and other flowers I don’t know the names of planted around and it feels quaint. We pull up the driveway, and I can’t help but notice that it isn’t guarded by a gate or surrounded by too many acres to count. It’s on a quiet little terrace, and it has a family vibe to it.
“Let’s go inside.” He climbs out of the car and strolls over to the front door. I have to rush to catch up to him, and I manage to catch him in the entrance.
There are hooks on the wall to hang your coats, and space for shoes, and even an umbrella stand. Who lives here?
“Come on. It’s ten thirty, and we are fighting the clock today.”
He steps through another door, which opens up into a hallway, with embossed wallpaper on the walls. The living room is to our left, and the kitchen is down at the bottom. The stairs are to our right and there’s another door on the left side as well.
“The living room is rather basic, but it will be easy enough to decorate. It’s the kitchen I need help with, if you could look and see if I will need to have anything done to it,” he says, as he places his hand on the small of my back, and guides me to where he wants me.