His Price(42)

“Yeah, so I've heard. And Hegan has fallen right on the edge of losing, right?”

“Did he tell you that? What did he say? His father has to do something before his entire life's work is blown by Hegan and his one track mind.” Narrowing his brows, his pupils dilated as he set them on my face. “Hegan, he's trouble. Always has been. When he's gone, it will be a brighter day.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, tilting my head. He said it with such distaste, such disgust. As if Hegan was the source of a problem, an issue that needed rectifying. Was I being led on? Lied to?

Is Hegan using me for something else? I thought he had been pretty straight forward. The fact he just laid the baby card on me, that was fuel enough to think Hegan was desperate.

Maybe this butler, this paid helping hand, had no idea himself what was going on.

Stefan's eyes glazed over, as they opened wide. A realization of what he said taking over his expression. “I'm sorry, let me stop here. Are you all set? Did you find a book?”

Tapping my jaw, I turned back to the bright blue book that he had suggested. Tugging it out, I clutched it against my chest. “Yeah, I think I'm ready now.”

His mouth turned up, cheeks flushing a pale pink. “I'll lead you back. Please, after you,” he said, extending his arm towards the door.

Walking back to my room in silence, Stefan walked one step behind me. And his gaze still burned into my core. I didn't want to make eye contact with him, didn't want him to see how uncomfortable I was.

He had just let out a small piece of the hatred he had for Hegan to me. A mistake he knew he made, I could tell by the look on his face. His pale skin was white, mouth taut against his jaw. He was kicking himself in the ass, sorry he had opened his lips at all.

I had the feeling when he started questioning me that it was Brandon who was curious, he basically said it. But now a piece of me felt different. His motives weren't clear for where he was trying to go with anything, and I hoped I hadn't said too much.

Things were already fucked up enough, making them worse wouldn't help shit.

Approaching my door, I glanced over my shoulder and said, “Thank you, I'm all set now.”

Nodding, Stefan twisted and went back in the direction we came. I stood watching him leave, waiting till he was out of sight before going inside.

Slipping in, I closed my eyes and let my head fall against the door.

“Took you long enough.” The thick bass of his voice crashed into my skull.

Jumping, my stomach shot into my throat. Hegan was sitting in the old Victorian chair against the far wall. His arms were draped over the deep velvet green fabric, his body slouching so his back had support.

It was comical to see a man his size, trying to fit into a chair built for a child. Letting my lungs restart, I huffed out the air they were clenching tight. “What are you doing?”

“I was waiting for you.” Twirling a pen between his fingers, he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“I thought you had stuff to take care of?” Tossing the book onto the bed, I walked closer to him. Why is he waiting in here? What the hell does he think I did?

Hegan's head fell toward the rug. “It's all set. What took you so long?” he asked, as his eyes returned to me.

“There's a lot of books in there. What's with the third degree?”

“Did he say anything to you?”

“He said enough for me to know he's not fond of you.” Folding my arms across my chest, my head canted towards my shoulder.

“Well I knew that already. Did he say anything else? Why he was here, or ask questions about you?” Bringing his hands together, I watched his knuckles turn white.

“He asked me a few things.”

“What did he want to know?” Shoving himself up from the chair, he stood inches from my face.

“Fuck, Hegan. I didn't tell him anything about why you brought me here.” Stepping backwards, irritation coated my voice. “I'm not a fucking idiot, Hegan. I don't need you to spell shit out for me.”

Dragging his fingers through his hair, he pulled it tight against his head. “I know, it's just that guy works for my dad. Not for me. He'll do anything to see me gone. Anything.”

“Why? Why does it matter? Didn't you say it was your father who was going to take everything from you?” Hegan gazed at me with large open eyes, shaking his head yes. “Then who cares about Stefan, he's a butler, not your father's personal adviser, right?”

“Yeah, but he's in with my dad. He can do some damage if he wanted to, I'm sure.” Pausing, he spoke under his breath. “It wouldn't be the first time.”

Resting my hand over his shoulder, I had the urge to comfort him, cradle him and let him know everything would be fine. It was the strangest feeling, to feel a sense of sympathy towards the man who was trying to impose getting me knocked up.