Impossible Odds: Rescue Team Nine (Book 3)

Chapter 19

Cloey

Our upbringing will not define us. Dice once said those words to me, and now I understand them. Placing his hand on my back, we walk down the hallway toward our rooms. Servants have already gathered our bags, and I know they'll be waiting for us when we reach our rooms. If the Sanders are anything, they are efficient. They believe in running a strict household. I can feel Dice's eyes on me. I know he's feeling me out for a reaction to his touch, but I work hard to keep my face as blank as possible. The truth is his touch is searing my skin through the thin fabric of my sweater.

The staff members lean toward each other and whisper. The gossip mill will be running rampant by morning time. Why is the Henderson girl with Dice? Especially since the last time I left the Sanders' home, it'd been at the hands of two armed guards. At least I was satisfied that I gave one Sanders a broken nose and the other a black eye. That will teach them to try to get under my skirt. The thought of Dice's brother leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The man is the polar opposite of the man next to me and not just in appearance. Dalton has no compassion and no feelings aside from the power he can hold. He's the epitome of a spoiled brat, and I can honestly understand why Benjamin teamed up with him.

"Here we are."

Ambrose waves his hand down the hallway. It's at the very back of the manor.

"This wing isn't used very often, but I'll let the servants know to air your rooms out as soon as you go down to dinner. Dinner will be ready in four hours."

He nods at Dice before turning around and leaving. It's hard not to notice the look of love and pride in the older man's eyes as he studies the man before him. Glancing around me, I note that this hallway isn't as up-to-date as the rest of the house. It's almost as if this is forgotten territory, and I know why. Anger boils inside me, along with the knowledge that the family thinks so little of him. No emotions show on his face when he opens the door to his room. Turning to my room, I open the door and step inside. We glance at each other momentarily. He smiles at me in reassurance, and I return the gesture before closing the door. Sliding down to the floor, I lay my head against the wall. My temper is flaring. No wonder Dice is so distant. No wonder he can't find it in him to commit when he was born out of a mistake. His own family can't commit. Opening the eyes I hadn't realized I closed, I feel determination creep into my body. His family may make him feel like he's a mistake born from a sordid love affair, but to me, he is the best mistake I've ever made.