Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

15 - Love

By noon on Monday, Doyle had a new phone. She had already used Kasper's after she returned from her sail to catch up on the news about herself. Pictures of Kasper ushering her into the house were already splashed everywhere. Return of the heiress. Thankfully, no one knew how she was returned. Gray had stayed out of the news, as well as her hospital visit. She needed to stay inside until makeup could hide the bruises.

Kasper insisted on a sleepover. His fans would kill to sleep with him, but she didn't want to. Kasper's fans weren't as scrupleless as the ones who wanted to sleep with rockstars. She had been no different, but she found out it was a huge mistake. Besides, sex was better with the chauffeur. Her belly flipped, remembering gentle Gray.

Each morning, her injured eye opened a little more. The bits of improvement helped boost her spirits, especially when she looked in the mirror. Black and purple turned yellow and green. Stories swirled online about her involvement with the band and the charges against Gio. People made up lies and posted them. Every time she left her room, the house phone rang. Percy kept repeating 'no comment' and 'good day'.

Rock & Roll Magazine contacted her to see if she was okay. It didn't take long before the call changed away from concern for her. "Your assignment was complete. You went back willingly."

She sighed. "Don't worry. I don't blame you."

"Good. Now we'd like to be the first to report your side of the story."

"I'm not sure what I'm allowed to say. There is a criminal investigation." Had she said too much?

Her mind kept going back to the moments she shared with Gray. She had slept with guys and moved on, but everything felt different.

Feeling bored, she wandered into the kitchen for a cup of tea. Mrs. Moran hugged her every time she saw her. "I said the rosary over and over while I cooked. I kept praying and praying."

"I'm sorry I worried you." A sack of flour sat on the counter. "What are you making?"

"Chocolate cake to cheer you up."

"Can I help?"

"I hoped you'd ask. Your brother can cook, but you're talented in the kitchen too."

"It's been awhile."

"Good thing I have the patience of a saint."

Doyle laughed. "Then you should give Kasper some pointers since he's going on that cooking show."

"I'm looking forward to watching him in the kitchen."

"Do you watch him on TV?"

"Of course. He's one of mine. You all are."

Doyle frowned. The Kane staff thought of them as family, but it wasn't the same with Gray. He had said best friend. No one in the Kane family was best friends with their staff. Except Dani, but she wasn't on the domestic staff. Ivy came close with Macintyre, and Baxter did as well with Mrs. Moran. It wasn't the same, and it made her feel bad.

"Here." She thrusted a measuring cup at her. "We need three cups of flour. Do you remember how?"

The lesson came back to her. Don't pack it. Level it with a knife.

They worked together, and Doyle placed the pans in the oven. "We'll work on the frosting after I get lunch set out."

"I might go sit." She felt a slight headache.

"You need to eat a decent lunch."

"Yes, ma'am." She hurried away because her response had a mocking tone.