Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Sable

Three days later, we finally packed up to head to the cabin for a week. Rhett had organized everything, of course. We were taking two cars—I’d be traveling with Brant, Joss, and Marirose, while Rhett rode with Kit and Dani in the other, Rhett’s driver at the wheel.

I sat in the backseat, directly behind Joss. From where I was, I could see Brant clearly as he drove, and Marirose sat beside me, her eyes fixed on me more often than on the road ahead.

Ever since that heated encounter in the basement at the club, Brant and I hadn’t spoken a single word to each other. He hadn’t left the mansion, not once, but it was as though I didn’t exist. I would see him smoking in the backyard, cutting laps in the pool, or sitting silent at the dining table. We crossed paths often, yet he treated me like I was nothing more than a ghost.

I did my part too. I played along, ignoring him, pretending not to care, even though every second stretched taut with things unspoken. And still, I had no idea how I would get my revenge—or if I even wanted it anymore—on him or on this family I was slowly becoming a part of again. Maybe I was waiting until Rhett finally threw me out to leave. Or maybe I was just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Marirose tapped my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts. When I turned, she tilted her chin toward Joss.

“Honey…” Joss called.

“I’m sorry—were you saying something?” I asked.

“I was saying I can’t wait for us to have a great time. You’re going to love it.”

I smiled faintly, though he couldn’t see it. His seat adjusted back a little, sliding lower as he reclined.

That was all the invitation I needed. I lifted my legs from the floor and climbed on top of him, straddling him right there in the car. With a mischievous grin, I pressed my lips to his, slipping my tongue between his lips.

I knew Brant was watching. That was the point.

Even Selene, who had been so damn quiet inside my head for days, didn’t stop me, didn’t whisper a single warning.

I pulled back slightly, rolling my tongue across my bottom lip. “I know I’ll love it. With you, I’ll never get bored… you always know how to keep me entertained.”

Joss stroked my hair gently, then kissed the top of my head. I laid my cheek against his chest and sighed contentedly, though my eyes slid sideways to Brant. His body was coiled tight, muscles straining under his shirt, his jaw clenched hard enough to snap.

The tension was thick. Almost choking.

I couldn’t wait for us to reach the cabin. My gut told me everything was about to change. Things were about to get a whole lot more… interesting.

When we finally pulled up, I lifted myself from Joss’s chest and looked out the window. The cabin came into view, and it was every bit as breathtaking as I remembered.

A sprawling luxury retreat tucked into the forest, built of rich cedar logs and dark stone, it was the kind of place that always made magazine covers. Mr. Paxton loved showing it off, bringing guests here to impress them. It had even been featured more than once as one of the most beautiful cabins in the country.

The forest around it only added to its mystery.

And no, I wasn’t exaggerating—words couldn’t do it justice. You’d have to see it yourself to believe it.

Brant parked beside Rhett’s car, and I stepped out first, just before Joss. As I straightened, the front door of the cabin opened, and a woman stepped outside.

I froze. I didn’t know who she was. She was stunning, wearing one of those perfect dresses that looked like it belonged on a runway.

The moment Brant got out of the car, she rushed to him. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him so tightly he almost stumbled back against the car. Brant caught his balance, one arm wrapping around her awkwardly. I was sure he hadn’t expected to see her.

“Mel…” Joss said, staring at her.

She pulled away from Brant, smoothed her dress, and gave Joss a sweet, fake smile. “Hello, Joss.”

Brant’s face was unreadable, though there was definite surprise in his eyes. “Mel… you’re here.”

“In the flesh,” she replied, her voice sugary sweet. “So glad to see you.”

Joss walked over and gave her a quick hug and a polite kiss on the cheek. I followed right behind him.

Marirose leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Who is she?”

I shrugged. “No idea.”

“I invited Mel to spend the week with us,” Rhett announced casually as he walked over with Kit. “She’ll be an interesting addition.”

“Hey, Kit,” Melissa said brightly.

Kit didn’t bother reaching out to hug her. His reply was flat, almost bored, as if the trip had already drained him. “Hello, Melissa.”

Melissa wasted no time grabbing Brant’s hand, tugging him toward the entrance. “I’ve organized everything to make you all feel welcome. We’re going to have such a wonderful week together.”

We all trailed in after them.

“Yeah, I’m sure we will,” Marirose muttered under her breath, dripping with sarcasm. Only I caught it.

I chuckled softly and followed her inside.

The cabin opened into a stunning wide space. A long balcony-style railing wrapped around the second floor, open enough that you could see the rooms above from where you stood below. The space was both luxurious and rustic, designed to impress.

We headed straight toward the dining area. A woman in her forties or fifties was there, arranging dishes on the table.

“Catherine,” Brant said warmly.

She looked up, her face breaking into a smile. “Hello, Brant. Welcome.” Her gaze swept over all of us. “Welcome, everyone.”

She greeted us all before slipping away with Dani, the two of them quickly falling into conversation.

We stood there for a moment, staring at the spread of food on the long wooden table. Finally, Rhett moved to the head seat. He sat, and we all followed, as if it were an unspoken rule that we were waiting for him.

Marirose started to wander in the direction Dani had gone, but Rhett’s voice called her back. He told her to sit with us, and she obeyed without question.

And there she was—Melissa—sitting beside Brant like a newlywed wife, clinging to his arm as if she were terrified someone might try to steal him away.

“Thank you, Melissa, for organizing all this,” Rhett said smoothly. “And I’ll be sure to thank Catherine before she heads back to your place.”

“Cat is always awesome,” Melissa replied with a pleased little smile. “But I helped cook the food too.”

“You can cook now, Melissa?” Joss asked, genuine surprise in his tone.

She nodded proudly, a little laugh slipping out. “Yeah.” Then she cackled softly, patting Brant’s arm. “Why don’t you have a taste and tell me if this is the kind of food you’d want to eat for the rest of your life?”

Brant only gave her a grin—but it was forced, stiff, like he was just humoring her. Anyone could see it. Didn’t she get the memo? The guy needed air. He was suffocating under her grip, smothered by her attention, and she just kept closing in, blind to his discomfort.

“Melissa, I heard your engagement was cut off,” Rhett said, already digging into his food.

“Yeah… it was,” she replied, her tone dipping into something sad. Whether real or feigned, I couldn’t tell.

“I didn’t even know you were engaged, Melissa,” Brant said, lifting his head in mild surprise.

“Whose fault do you think that is?” Melissa snapped, her voice rising an octave. “You put all your attention on that bitch and her stupid club, and you forgot about me.”

Brant tilted his head. “What happened?” His tone was calm, but I knew he wasn’t asking about her feelings—he wanted the facts.

Melissa leaned back with a dramatic sigh. “Caught the motherfucker in bed with Trisha. The fucking bitch.”

“Trisha Moretti?” Brant said it like a statement, not a question.

Melissa scoffed, raising her eyebrows.

Before anyone could say more, a woman walked in holding a bottle of wine—Brant’s favorite. She was older, with beautiful features, her long hair swept back neatly into a bun that showed off her sharp cheekbones. She wore the kind of expensive dress that whispered old money.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” she said.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Green,” Rhett replied. “Please, join us.”

Brant, Kit, and Joss all greeted her as well, while Marirose and I simply exchanged a look.

“Mum…” Melissa said with a smile that looked more like she was showing off.

“I brought wine,” Mrs. Green said as she sat down, handing the bottle to Melissa, who immediately took Brant’s glass and poured it, practically shoving it toward him like it was a binding vow.

“Brant, how have you been?” Mrs. Green asked, her voice polite but sharp, as though probing.

“I’ve been great. Thanks for asking,” Brant replied.

Mrs. Green’s eyes softened as they flicked between her daughter and him. “After all these years, what do you think of Melissa? Hasn’t she become even more beautiful?”

Melissa’s lips curved into the sweetest smile. She kept her eyes locked on Brant, brushing her hair back as if to draw his gaze to her face.

Brant just stared back with that unreadable look of his, his expression giving nothing away.

And me? I laughed on the inside, but it wasn’t joy. It was jagged, broken. My heart pounded so fast it felt like someone was stabbing me with every beat, slicing deeper and deeper until I could hardly breathe.

Well… I guess our Brant is getting married soon.