Until death, p.2
Until Death, page 2
“So,” Sloan announced. “Tell me about the rich boys at that Ivy League college of yours.”
Raina groaned and waved her off. “Stuffy and pompous,” she muttered with little interest. “What more do you need to know?”
“Better than community college,” Sloan insisted with a dreary sigh and made a face. “Immature and supporting two or more kids.”
“Why are you even looking?” Raina asked. “I thought you were dating the new, insanely cute chauffeur. What’s his name? Titan.”
“Titus?” she questioned then rolled her eyes. “We dated a few months until he dumped me for a slightly younger, perkier version of myself.”
“How’s that?” Raina asked seeming uncertain what she’d missed.
“Callie.”
“Callie?” Raina squawked. “I thought she was dating Hanson, the gardener.”
“She was until she discovered I was dating Titus,” Sloan remarked. “I swear she didn’t have any interest in him until she found out I was dating him.” She shifted and placed her chin in her hand while leaning over the counter. “They’re going out tonight with her sister, little Miss Hitler.”
The back kitchen door opened and a handsome, neatly dressed man in his mid-to-late twenties entered. Sloan caught a glimpse of the chauffeur, Titus, and straightened while frowning her distaste. As Sloan turned away, she discreetly unbuttoned the top button of her dress to reveal additional cleavage. Raina saw the action and knew she did it to flaunt what he gave up. Raina felt bad for Sloan. The maid was head-over-heels for the chauffeur, and just like that, he was dating her co-worker. It had to be hard on her.
Titus was a ruggedly handsome man. The term ‘tall and strapping’ came to mind. He was moderately muscular, and his impressive build could be seen beyond his neatly pressed suit. His fashionable evening attire wasn’t much different from his chauffeur attire. There was no denying the dark-haired, bronze-skinned, suave man was handsome. He’d only been working for them the last year or so after Raina was already away at college, so she didn’t know him all that well. Seeing the handsome man, particularly with another woman, had to make Sloan insane. Raina could just about see the rage in the young maid’s eyes, although she seemed to hold it together fairly well. As expected, Titus didn’t acknowledge Sloan to avoid a confrontation. He must have realized it was best to play it cool with her, particularly since Dane would not tolerate fighting among the staff.
“Miss Steele,” Titus announced cheerfully when he saw her at the counter. “I wasn’t aware you were coming home this weekend. Your father will be disappointed he wasn’t here for your arrival.”
“I’m staying a few days,” she informed him. “Just long enough to annoy the staff.”
Sloan chuckled at the comment. The staff wing door opened and a young woman no older than Sloan entered the kitchen. Callie Burton was a stunning woman with long, blonde hair, which never seemed to be out of place. She was fashion magazine beautiful with the body straight from the pages of a girly magazine. She was dressed to kill in a form-fitting dress popular at most city nightclubs. Callie started working at the mansion a little less than four years ago, a few months after Dane had started. She came highly recommended from the Nixon’s; their distant neighbor.
Callie was high maintenance from her makeup and hair to her professionally manicured nails. How she could afford to look as good as she did was almost puzzling. Although the chauffeur was paid handsomely, Titus wasn’t a wealthy man by any means. It was obvious he wasn’t paying her high maintenance price tag. He smiled when he saw Callie. She purposely posed seductively for him almost as if attempting to get a rise out of Sloan.
“How do I look?” Callie cooed.
“Stunning,” Titus announced then fidgeted slightly while glancing at Sloan’s profile. He seemed uncomfortable around his ex-girlfriend. “We should probably get going if we’re going to pick up your sister and her boyfriend.”
Callie noticed Raina and immediately smiled. “Oh, Miss Steele,” she announced with some surprise. “I didn’t know you were coming home this weekend.”
“That seems to be the theme,” Raina teased.
Callie offered a tiny grimace. “You know your father had to go away on business,” the young maid offered. She then turned enthusiastic. “You could come out to the club with us tonight. It’ll be fun.”
Titus tensed but didn’t comment. Raina found the invitation a little forward considering she didn’t know Callie or Titus very well. She’d known Sloan for several years growing up, but Titus had only been working for them a little over a year. Despite that Callie had worked for her father for the last four years, Raina’s interaction with the downstairs maid was minimal.
“I appreciate the offer,” Raina announced while attempting a smile, “but it was a long drive, and I’m exhausted. I plan on going to bed early.”
“Yes, you must be exhausted,” Callie announced then smiled and clung to Titus’ strong arm.
He seemed uncomfortable with her public displays of affection, although it was uncertain if it had more to do with the boss’s daughter being in the room or his ex-girlfriend. Maybe it was both.
“If you need anything tomorrow,” Callie announced cheerfully, “just let me know.”
“That’s my job,” Sloan huffed with irritation and raised an arrogant brow. “I’m the upstairs maid, in case you’ve forgotten.”
Callie glared at Sloan and released Titus’ arm. “No, I didn’t forget,” she snarled in response while placing her hands on her dainty hips. “I can’t forget, because you keep reminding me.”
Sloan turned to face Callie and appeared annoyed. “I keep reminding you because you’re constantly weaseling your way upstairs into my domain.”
“Oh, get a life,” Callie snapped back then sneered at her. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t have one.” She linked onto Titus’ arm and nuzzled it.
Titus became uncomfortable and attempted to stop a fight before it started. “Okay, that’s enough,” he announced and attempted to pull Callie away from the island counter.
Sloan glared at Titus with hostility. “I certainly hope you weren’t talking to me,” she launched. “Because you forfeited the right to tell me what to do when you started dating that little skank.”
“Who are you calling a skank?” Callie suddenly cried out while attempting to break free from the chauffeur’s firm hold on her.
“Whoa, whoa,” Levi cried out in a whisper and hurried between the two women. “Let’s not raise our voices. There’s no need to bring the wrath of Dane upon us.”
Despite the looks the women gave each other, Titus managed to scoot Callie out the back door. He obviously wanted nothing to do with Dane’s vindictive side. Once they were gone, Sloan finally exhaled then held her head with a trembling hand. She looked at Raina and frowned.
“I’m sorry about that,” Sloan announced timidly. “I shouldn’t have exploded like that in front of you. It’s just that, well, she loves to flaunt her relationship with Titus, and it burns me.”
“It’s okay,” Raina assured her. “I understand. Guys can be jerks, but women can be vindictive bitches.”
“I appreciate that.” Sloan managed a smile despite her depressed state. “I’d love to stay and gossip, but I have a class tonight. After that, it’s out with the girls for a wild night of wishing the cute guys were single. If you’re bored, you know where to find us later.”
Raina chuckled with amusement. “Thanks for the offer,” she announced. “But I’d rather get my jollies reading a good thriller or horror book tonight.”
Sloan shook her head while laughing, obviously understanding the comment all too well. She then left through the back door.
Levi didn’t comment after the maid’s departure. He finally smiled at Raina. “Is there anything you and the other ladies need before I turn in for the evening?”
“I’d heard a request for some cookies,” Raina informed him.
He groaned teasingly and shook his head. “Oh, I suppose,” he announced then grinned while laughing. “I made four batches when I heard you were coming.”
“You’re the best, Levi,” she replied then appeared bewildered and eyed him. “I can’t believe you go to bed so early.”
“I’m up at the crack of dawn. Breakfast doesn’t make itself,” he replied. “Besides, I have to be up before Commandant Dane. You don’t want to talk to him before he’s had his morning coffee.”
Dane entered the kitchen then hesitated while casting a look at Raina and Levi. Levi fidgeted despite that he was off the clock. He placed several cookies on a plate for the ladies then replaced the container to the counter. Dane ignored them and proceeded for the teapot.
“I’ll be serving tea in the lounge in ten minutes,” Dane informed Raina.
“Well, it’s off to bed with me,” Levi announced while seeming tense around Dane. He smiled politely at Raina. “I have a grisly horror movie coming on in ten minutes, and I’d like to be asleep before the second body falls. See you in the morning. Goodnight.”
Raina laughed as Levi left the kitchen through the staff wing doorway. Once he was gone, Raina’s mood immediately dropped as she looked at Dane. He leaned his back against the counter behind him and glared at her.
“The good ship lollipop has sailed,” Dane scoffed. “Kindly vacate my kitchen.”
She shook her head with irritation. “I’m amazed at how quickly you go from a proper butler to a surly prick,” Raina snapped. “It’s got to be a world’s record.”
“What can I say? You motivate me,” he growled then glared at her and straightened. “Now be a good, little girl and leave me alone.”
“You’re so charming,” she snapped back while sneering at him. “I wish my father could hear the way that you talk to me.”
“You’ve been trying to get me fired for four years now,” Dane scoffed. “He’s not going to believe anything you say about me.”
She rolled her eyes but withheld her disgust despite her rising blood pressure. “Always a pleasure talking to you, Dane.”
Raina headed across the kitchen and stormed out the hallway door.
Chapter 3
Gossip Hour
The three women talked and laughed cheerfully together in the front sitting room while drinking tea and nibbling on cookies. The room was decorated with antique furniture and had an Old Victorian feel to it. There were two sofas placed facing the center of the room with a large coffee table in the middle. A wing-backed chair was off to the side allowing a view of the massive, stone fireplace. There were several larger sitting chairs toward the corners of the room with small end tables and antique lamps to provide additional light. Several expensive paintings hung on the walls, completing the elegance of the room. Large floor to ceiling windows surrounded the room, although the gaudy tapestry curtains were currently closed. Dane entered the lounge and paused within the doorway. Raina rolled her eyes when she saw him and silently fumed.
“If you won’t be needing anything else, Mrs. Steele, I’ll be turning in now,” Dane announced.
“We’re fine,” Brenda replied cheerfully revealing her fondness for the surly butler. “Goodnight, Dane.”
Dane politely nodded to Brenda, cast a dirty look at Raina, and then left the room. Raina sneered her distaste. Brenda caught the look from her stepdaughter. She shook her head and held back her laugh.
“What is it with you two?” Brenda asked while smiling doubtfully. “I swear the two of you hate each other.”
“You’re just realizing that now?” Raina teased while attempting to hide her sneer. “Where have you been the last four years?”
“I guess it’s your similar personalities clashing,” Brenda remarked.
Raina glared at her stepmother and nearly gasped. “I’m nothing like him.”
“So what is it?” Brenda demanded. “What started this feud between you two?”
“He’s had an attitude ever since he started here,” Raina remarked. “I was seventeen or eighteen when Dad hired him. He’d only been here a couple of weeks.”
§
Four years earlier. Eighteen-year-old Raina lay on the game room sofa with a tall, lanky boy from her school. Her boyfriend, Jeffers, had sandy brown hair and a baby face, which was why most of the girls at her school were attracted to him. Raina couldn’t believe that he’d asked her out, considering he could have any other girl at school. The couple kissed passionately while Jeffers firmly caressed her body as he partially lay on top of her. Raina was slightly uncomfortable and stopped his traveling hands several times, although he didn’t allow her protests to distract him.
Jeffers broke off the kiss, pulled back to meet her gaze, and grinned. “It’s quiet around here,” he announced. “Where is everyone?”
“It’s Sunday. The staff has the day off,” Raina informed him. “They went to that picnic in town.”
“What about your father and stepmother?” the teenage boy asked.
Raina grinned slyly and caressed his broad shoulders. “They’re visiting Miller at that overpriced college of his.”
His eyes seemed to sparkle at the response. “So we have the place to ourselves all afternoon?”
“All afternoon,” she replied and kissed him affectionately.
Jeffers returned the kiss with increased passion and aggression. His hands firmly caressed her body then attempted to unbutton her pants. Raina broke off the kiss and stopped his hand.
He appeared disappointed while staring at her. “What’s wrong?”
She shifted uncomfortably beneath him. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“You’re going to graduate soon,” he announced while grinning. “I want us to be exclusive.”
She stared at him with some surprise then smiled in response. “Me too.”
“You don’t want to be a virgin when you go away to college, do you?” he asked.
Raina tensed slightly while staring into his eyes. What was he saying? He responded as if reading her mind.
“Being at two different colleges is going to be difficult. You’re going to be five hours away,” he insisted then grinned. “If we’re sleeping together, we’ll be exclusive, and it’ll make it easier.”
Jeffers kissed her neck and continued running his hands along her body.
She considered the comment and was puzzled by it. “That doesn’t make any sense,” Raina informed him.
Jeffers pulled back to meet her gaze and groaned with some irritation. “There’s going to be a lot of temptation for both of us,” he insisted. “If we’re exclusive, there won’t be any temptation, but we can only be exclusive if we’re sleeping together.”
He kissed her passionately and aggressively on the mouth. Despite that his explanation troubled her, Raina reluctantly gave in and returned the kiss. He again attempted to unbutton her pants. She again stopped him. She was still troubled by his reasoning of why they couldn’t be exclusive unless they slept together.
Jeffers groaned with annoyance and glared at her. “What’s your problem?”
Raina felt her frustration rising to match his. She was feeling pressured, and his hostility regarding her feelings wasn’t helping any.
“I think it’s you,” a gruff male voice responded. “Time to go home, Romeo.”
Jeffers jumped off Raina and sat up on the sofa with surprise as he looked across the room. Dane casually stood in the doorway conveying little emotion, although he didn’t appear pleased. Raina saw Dane then sat up while groaning and rolling her eyes.
“Who the hell is that?” Jeffers demanded, indicating the man in his late twenties dressed neatly in a suit.
“No one,” she scoffed while avoiding looking at Dane. “Just the butler.”
Jeffers snorted a laugh and smirked. “Get lost, butler,” he launched.
Jeffers moved against Raina and attempted to lower her back to the sofa despite that she no longer seemed interested. She gave him a slight shove to show her disapproval. She certainly had no intentions of making out in front of the newly hired butler. Raina was irritated that her boyfriend somehow thought she’d be okay with it. Jeffers was suddenly pulled off her. She cried out with surprise as her boyfriend let out a sharp scream. Dane twisted Jeffers arm behind his back and forced him across the game room and into the hallway. Dane escorted Jeffers along the hallway keeping his arm pinned while Raina ran after them.
“Damn it, Dane. Let go of him,” she cried out. “Stop this!”
Dane forced Jeffers up the foyer steps and carelessly tossed him out the front door. He slammed the door behind him then turned to face the irate teenager standing behind him.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she cried out with surprise and anger.
He stared into her eyes without flinching. “Your father expressly forbids bumping and grinding under his roof. You have a reputation,” Dane scoffed while remaining unusually calm. “One of us has to protect that.”
“You bastard!”
§
The following evening. Eighteen-year-old Raina followed a distinguished looking man in his early forties along the hallway. Her father, Otto Steele, was a handsome man with a little gray peppered into his short brown hair. Her father was a tall, sturdily built man, who sometimes looked more like an Army sergeant than a businessman. At times, he acted it too. Raina couldn’t control her anger any longer.
“I can’t believe you’re siding with the butler, Dad,” Raina launched while her father practically ignored her emotional outburst. “He roughed up my boyfriend. Jeffers was so upset over how he was treated that he dumped me!”
“I’m not taking sides, Raina,” her father insisted while refusing to face her. “I commend Dane for looking after you while I’m away.”
“Yeah, for protecting me from my own boyfriend,” she snapped. “Real classy.”
Otto turned to face her and stared into her eyes with little sympathy. “I’m sorry you feel you’re being disrespected, but I’d have done the same thing if I’d been here,” he announced then held his breath a moment. “I know Dane may seem a little rough around the edges, but I trust his judgment.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and stared into her eyes. “If the world ever falls apart, stand behind Dane.”
