The Paladins Read Free Page A

eyebrows climb for her hairline. “The idea! Guests do not attend servants, Miss Weathersby, no matter how charmingly they may offer.” Jenny pats Raven’s cheek, and then glances over her shoulder. “Gracious, child, will you look at this room. What a green thumb you have. I confess the plants in the house have fairly doubled in size since you took to watering them. And so green!”
    Raven follows her gaze to the potted jungle growing near the window and smiles. “We never had many plants around our house. I didn’t know I’d like it so much, but there’s something sort of therapeutic about gardening.”
    “Well, they’re better off with you minding them.” Jenny steps toward the various containers, examining each one. “Now isn’t this is strange … See how they’re growing?” Raven joins Jenny at the window, her hand gently running over the glossy ficus leaves. “Look here, see how the stems bend away from the sun. That’s odd.”
    It is odd. I hadn’t noticed until now, but the growth is uneven. All the new leaves sprout on one side growing away from the light and toward Raven’s favorite chair in the darker corner.
    “No matter, dearie. I suppose the plants know best what they need, eh? And now … ” Jenny’s chattering stops for a gulp of air. “Will there be anything else for you two this evening?”
    I glance at my new Rolex surprised it’s nearly nine o’clock. “No, thank you. Please get some rest.”
    “Very good, sir. I hope you have a pleasant flight to New York tomorrow, and a nice …” She shrinks as Rae cheerfully impales a plump marshmallow with her skewer.
    I lift my chin. “Night, Jenny.”
    Once the door clicks shut, Raven moves to the fire. “Remind me to ask for some of her chocolate chunk cookies this week. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
    Concern for others is a constant of Raven’s. It was she that agreed to take the place of her ailing stepfather last year and make restitution for his gambling debt against my family. Little did she know I’d exact payment by insisting she move in with me.
    I scoot over on the couch and prop my feet up. As Raven stretches over the fire, her sleek black hair swings forward. The color picks up a red glow from the hot coals beneath, her eyes reflecting the low burning flame. The sight speeds my pulse.
    After she moved in, I became obsessed with the girl who sacrificed her dreams for someone as unworthy as her stepfather. Weeks passed, and I studied her habits, watched as she created the beautiful designs that saved my father’s failing clothing line. She worked for me, her enemy, endured my temper, kept her grades up, even befriended my lonesome housekeeper.
    “Oh, ouch!” Raven blows out the flame charring her marshmallow and plucks it from the prongs. “Dang it.”
    I’m off the couch in a blink. “Careful, you’ll burn yourself.” Taking her hand in mine, I guide the scorched sugar to my lips and devour the whole thing.
    “Gideon! That one’s ruined.”
    I release her fingers and laugh through the mush. “But I wuv the burnf wons.”
    “You do?” Her little frown destroys me.
    “Mm-hmm.”
    Her glaze flits to the fire and back. “Okay, here’s an idea. Don’t go to New York tomorrow, and I’ll make you as many charred s’mores as you can eat.”
    I gulp the last of my marshmallow, confused by her request. “I’d love to, but you know I can’t.” Truth is, I’d avoided half a dozen meetings in the last two months. Art Windsor, my father’s longtime business associate, and the nearest thing to a friend I have on the board, called this morning. First, to check on me, as it’s out of character for me to miss so much work, second, to warn me that tomorrow’s meeting is mandatory.
    She slides her empty skewer onto the mantle. “I know. I’m sure it’s stupid paranoia, but I have a really weird feeling about this trip.”
    My head lowers. “I don’t.” Kiss. “Want you.” Kiss. “To worry.” Our