Chapter 180
Orion
After Ryan's innocent comment about underwater somersaults, Aveline's expression shifted into something that could have frozen Hell itself. Her smile was so terrifyingly sweet that I actually felt my survival instincts kick in.
"Is that so?" she said with deadly calm. "Miss Candy sounds absolutely talented. I'm sure your father would love to learn some... techniques from her as well."
Ryan bounced excitedly in front of me, completely oblivious to the danger radiating from Aveline. "Really, Daddy? What do you want to learn from Miss Candy?"
I felt my soul leaving my body. "I don't need to learn anything from her, Ryan. I already know how to swim."
Aveline was already turning to leave, and I couldn't let her walk away thinking what she was obviously thinking. I reached out and caught her arm, holding on even when she tried to pull away.
"Let go of me," she said icily.
"Not until you let me explain—"
We were locked in this ridiculous tug-of-war when Grandfather finally reappeared, now dressed in what could charitably be called "evening wear" but looked more like a costume from a 1970s disco movie.
"Well, well!" he said with obvious delight, taking in our struggle. "Nothing like a good hormonal surge to get the blood pumping! Ah, youth!"
Both Aveline and I immediately dropped our hands, staring at him in mortification.
Grandfather moved to Candy, who was now draped in a sheer cover-up that somehow managed to be even more provocative than her bikini. He wrapped his arm around her waist with the practiced ease of someone who'd done this many times before.
"I'm afraid we must take our leave, my dear Candy," he announced theatrically. "Best not to linger when young people are in the throes of passionate... discussion. Hormones can be quite dangerous, you know. Someone might get hurt."
As they sauntered away, Aveline stood there with her mouth slightly open, clearly processing what she'd just witnessed.
I gave her a meaningful look that clearly said I told you so.
She responded with an eye roll that just as clearly said Don't think I didn't notice you staring at her chest.
Ryan watched them disappear around the corner and sighed dramatically. "Aw, Miss Candy's leaving already. I probably won't see her again."
"Why not?" Aveline asked, her tone surprisingly gentle when addressing him. "She might come back another time."
Ryan crossed his arms and adopted the world-weary expression of someone far beyond his years. "Well, there was Miss Tiffany last month, and Miss Jasmine before that, and Miss... um..." He scrunched up his face trying to remember. "There was the blonde one with the really high voice who taught me to play poker—"
"She taught you WHAT?" I interrupted.
"—and none of them ever came back," Ryan finished matter-of-factly.
Aveline stared at him, then at me, her expression cycling through disbelief, amusement, and something that might have been sympathy.
I nodded wearily. "Now you understand why I don't usually let Grandfather babysit."
"Well," Aveline said slowly, "I suppose I may have jumped to conclusions about today's... situation."
As we made our way back toward the house, I noticed Mitchell hovering in the doorway, trying very hard to maintain his professional composure while clearly dying to know what drama had just unfolded by the pool.
"Everything alright, sir?" he asked with carefully measured neutrality, though his eyes were practically sparkling with curiosity as they darted between Aveline and me.
"Just some... misunderstandings being cleared up," I said tersely.
Mitchell nodded sagely, but I caught him exchanging a meaningful look with one of the maids who had suddenly found urgent dusting tasks in the foyer. The entire household staff seemed to have developed an unusual interest in cleaning areas within earshot of wherever Aveline and I happened to be standing.
Once we were settled in the living room, Aveline knelt down in front of Ryan, pulling what looked like an upgraded slingshot from her bag. It was beautifully crafted, with a polished wooden handle and precision-engineered elastic bands.
"This is the deluxe version of the slingshot Grandma Eleanor gave you," she explained, demonstrating the improved sight mechanism. "The targeting system is much more accurate, and the grip is ergonomically designed for better control. Why don't you take it out to the garden with Mitchell and test it out? Your father and I have some business to discuss."
Business that requires getting rid of Ryan? My imagination immediately began running wild with possibilities.
"Yes, absolutely," I said, probably too enthusiastically. "Mitchell! Please take Ryan to practice his... marksmanship skills."
Mitchell's eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly, but he maintained his professional facade. "Of course, sir. Come along, Master Ryan. Let's see what kind of accuracy we can achieve with this impressive weapon."
As they headed toward the garden, I could swear I heard Mitchell murmur something to the other staff about "giving them privacy for important discussions." The barely concealed amusement in his voice made me want to fire him on the spot.
Once they'd disappeared, I stood up with what I imagined was suave confidence, my pulse already quickening with anticipation.
"This way," I said, my voice dropping to what I thought was an irresistibly seductive tone. "Time is absolutely precious. We should go somewhere more... conducive to private conversation. My bedroom has excellent... soundproofing."
I was already striding toward the stairs with what I believed was the perfect balance of urgency and sophistication when I realized the house had gone suspiciously quiet behind me. I turned around to find Aveline still sitting exactly where I'd left her, watching me with the kind of fascinated horror typically reserved for witnessing traffic accidents.
"Orion," she said slowly, her voice carrying the patient tone one might use with someone having a very public psychological episode, "I genuinely have no idea what fantasy is playing out in your head right now. Who shows up in broad daylight expecting spontaneous sex?"