He laughed. “I don’t think it would have helped. We were both hell on wheels. It’s amazing we made it through high school. If you only knew half the shit we used to do.”
“Language.” His mother scowled.
“Sorry.” He stood and walked over to the window. Laughter and loud voices drifted up to him from the yard where couples were getting into the vehicles the butler had valeted from around the back.
“Don’t you need to go say goodbye to your guests?” He looked over his shoulder at her.
“No.” She smiled. “I already told James to tell them I had a migraine and to make my excuses.”
“Is James still alive?” Lucien arched his brow at the mention of their butler who had been with them since he was a child. Unlike them, he was human.
“Don’t be rude, Lucien.” His mother stood and straightened her shoulders.
“Sorry.” He ducked his head and looked back at the cars pulling out of the driveway.
“Is Father home?”
“He’s away in Charleston on business.”
“Some things never change.” He turned away from the window. “I would have figured since you two didn’t have kids at home, you’d be traveling the world together.”
“I don’t think we could still be married if we were forced into each other’s company every day, Lucien.” She shook her head.
He looked at Catty. “I think being with someone every moment would be heaven.”
Silence hung between them.
“Come on.” She opened the door and waved for him to follow.
“I’m not leaving her.”
“Relax, honey. She’s not going anywhere. Come downstairs with me. It’s been a while since we’ve talked.”
He looked back at Catty and then at his mother.
“Come on, dear. Let her rest.” She waited patiently by the door. “Besides, I think there might be some homemade sugar cookies left over from the party. As I remember, they were your favorite when you were a boy.”
A small smile tugged at his lips. Nostalgia washed over him and he took a step toward the door.
Looking back at Catty, he nodded. “Okay, but leave the door open in case she needs me.”
His mother nodded. “I will, sweetheart. I will.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucien bit into his fourth cookie and let his gaze scan the kitchen.
“Looks like you redecorated. Again.” The cabinets were new and glazed a soft cream color. The hardwood floors were the same, but the granite countertops had been replaced with white and gray quartz. New colorful window treatments decorated every window and gave the room a cozy French vibe.
“Yes. Well. With no children at home anymore, I get bored.” She held the crystal glass at the stem and took a sip of her expensive wine. “It’s either drink all day or decorate. So I decided to do both.”
He laughed. His mother had always had a dry sense of humor, but now he realized how much he had missed her.
“It looks good on you.” She nodded.
“What?” He glanced down at himself.
“The smile. I’m guessing she’s the reason for your happiness.” She looked at him from under her lashes.
He fidgeted. “Would that be so hard to imagine? A female wanting to be with me?”
She sucked in a breath at his words. Setting her wine glass down, she went over to him and put her hands on either side of his face. “Lucien, that’s not what I meant. Any female would be lucky to have your love.”
Guilt stung his gut. He dropped the cookie on the platter and met her gaze.
“Forget about it. It’s not important.”
“It is important.” Her voice cracked with unshed tears. “You’re my son and I love you. I never wanted to make you feel unloved.”
“Don’t waste your breath, Mother. Lucien is being whiny, aren’t you, brother?”
Lucien’s blood ran cold and every muscle in his body tensed at the sound of his brother’s voice. His heart rate sped up as he eased off the barstool and stood.
He’d known this moment would one day come. He’d expected to be better prepared to have a showdown with one of the three Assassins of Louisiana.
“Lorcan.” He turned and faced his brother. He wore black leathers over his black jeans. His biker boots and his black leather jacket both were covered in studs.
“Lucien. I’m surprised to see you here.” Lorcan narrowed his eyes and curled his hands into fists. He had the same dark hair and blue eyes as Lucien. But that was where the similarities ended.
“Just dropping by for a visit,” he lied.
“You never have before.” He cocked his head. “Why start now?” Lorcan took a step forward.