Billionaire Romance Boxed Set 1(190)

“So you’re like a father to him,” I said.

“No, not really. I was young myself when it happened, only in my twenties. Will was eight at the time so if anything I was more of an older brother. I knew nothing about raising a child, but I swore to protect him.”

“I’m sure that was hard on both of you,” I said as I looked over at Will who set glasses of white wine on the table.

“It was,” he said coldly. “Now I think we should move on.”

Stewart shot Will a mean look, but nothing else was said. We sat quietly eating roasted chicken with potato gratin in a rich cheddar cheese and jalapeño sauce that was delicious. I wanted to ask if Stewart cooked since I didn’t see anyone else in the giant mansion, but I didn’t want to upset Will any further with my questions.

The silence lasted the rest of the meal. I couldn’t take it anymore, so once I was done eating I got up to excuse myself.

“I think I’ll head up to bed,” I said. “I need to get up early to pack my apartment for storage and get ready for Paris.”

“Paris?” Stewart asked.

“Oh yes, I won the design competition at Hargrove’s. Not only that, but I’m showing my collection at Fashion Week in Paris!”

“Congratulations! I’m surprised Will didn’t tell me.”

“That’s my fault, with everything going on I completely forgot to tell him. And Will, I would’ve never been able to win without your helping me with the fabrics.”

“You did it all on your own, Deborah,” Will said. “It was your designs and skill that won, I did nothing.”

“I couldn’t have created my samples without you. You have no idea how broke I am right now.” I felt embarrassed admitting it, no matter how true it was. “Anyway I have a lot to do in the next couple of days. Thank you for everything. Good night!”

I left them and tried to figure out my way back upstairs to my bedroom, but got lost. Turning back I entered what I thought was the dining room so I could retrace my steps, but entered a library instead.

The room was dark with mahogany floor-to-ceiling built in bookcases and a desk the size of my car at the end of the room. On the desk was an old push button telephone and a calendar from twenty-five years ago. The desk hadn’t been used in all that time.

Above the desk was a large oil portrait of a small family—father, mother and son—all with dark brown hair and impeccably dressed standing in front of a Christmas tree with piles of gifts all around.

They were an attractive family and I knew they had to be related to Will somehow so I got closer to the painting. With genuine looking smiles on their faces, it was obvious this was a happy family. And the boy, with his hazel eyes with green flecks was undeniably Will.

“I knew you’d get lost,” Will said frightening me.

“I should’ve asked for directions, but honestly they probably wouldn’t have helped,” I said laughing. “Are these your parents?”

He nodded. “Yes, that was taken shortly before…” His voice trailed off.

I wanted to ask him how it happened, but by the quick flash of green in his eyes and how his face suddenly hardened, I knew I wouldn’t get an answer. Instead I wrapped my arms around him. He held me tight, as if everything depended on that hug, and then kissed the top of my head as he exhaled.

“Come, I’ll take you to your room. I want to talk to you privately anyway,” he said.

“What is it?” I asked once we entered my room.

Will walked over to one of the chairs and patted the top of it. “Please, sit,” he said then opened the french doors, letting in a warm breeze and the sweet scents of roses and honeysuckle.

“Did I do something? Is something wrong?”

“No. Its just… You said you were going to put your things into storage. I’d really like you to consider keeping them here. Even if after you return from Paris you decide to get another apartment, I’ll feel better knowing your things are here. Where its safe.”

“What is it with all this safety? Is someone after you?”

“I don’t know. Its been like this most of my life. There have been threats, incidents. Its why I’ve always closed myself off to everyone. Until now.” He walked back over to me and sat on the edge of the seat in front of me and took my hands. “The world is a bad place, Deborah. But you can always be safe here.”

I wanted to say I didn’t understand. I needed to know why between him and Stewart they always seemed to be concerned about safety. But I could see in his eyes that he was telling me the truth and trusted me. Learning to trust someone was hard for me too, and here Will let me into his life in a way he never had with anyone else. I had no place to question him.#p#分页标题#e#