Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 18

I was treated like royalty right away.

It was no surprise the Bradley's did everything with great significance.

It was a smooth ride to Strawberry Chateau Villa on the Bradley family's private jet. The moment I arrived at the villa I was escorted to my suite in the picturesque palace. I went from viewing the venue to actually staying there as one of the guests.

It was a couple of weeks after the murder of the Humphrey's yet the pain was still so fresh. When Ethan told me that his agents weren't a target, I wondered if I were. I didn't want to ask. I could see him keeping this piece of information away from me just like Mr. Humphrey did with Noelle to keep her from worrying even more than she already was.

The suite was an all white room with satin bed sheets, sheer curtains and framed pictures on the wall of historical figures, mainly women who made their mark on the world. For the first time, I felt safe. We were miles and miles away from city life. The closest means to civilization was the market in town that was at least twenty minutes away.

I kept everything in my suitcase and pushed it under the bed. Knowing how serious the hit to the business was becoming and how the Humphrey's were first targeted as a warning shot, I made sure I was prepared to leave at any given moment. No matter how safe I felt, I had to stay prepared for the unpredictable.

Feeling a bit jet lagged and emotionally drained, I laid in bed thinking about the Humphrey's and my own safety. I thought about Ethan and the future of Bradley & Sons. I thought about my own plan to retrieve my family's stolen estate. The latter almost seemed near impossible because I was in too deep with the Bradley's. I needed to get close to Ethan. I didn't want to be a potential target. I didn't want to die before avenging my family's legacy.

Donna's voice rang through from the other side of the door.

I was called down to brunch.

As much as I wanted to get out of it, I endured the moment and continued to act as if everything was fine. I took a quick shower and took my time getting dressed in the white sundress I knew Donna would approve of. It was like I was trying to impress the mother in law. The only thing I wanted from her was my family's estate. I had to get on her good side, kiss her ass and bow down to the Red Queen, as Noelle would call her.

I choked back the tear that almost escaped from me. The Humphrey's were gone and there was nothing anyone could do about it. I had to move on and finish what I started.

I was glad for the weather because the rain and clouds were too depressing. It was sunny out and the warmth felt good on my skin.

Donna and Bronwyn were sitting at one of the tables in the garden.

"It's a beautiful day," Donna commented. "Would you like some tea, dear?"

I tried to match her cheerfulness and the gratitude she had for that beautiful day.

I raised my teacup to the kettle as Donna poured. Bronwyn hid behind her shades, letting the sunshine tan her smooth skin.

"Where is Ethan and Ezra?" I asked.

"Oh," Donna said like she had almost forgotten about them. "The boys are shooting arrows somewhere in the fields. They should be back to join us for breakfast any moment now."

Bronwyn sighed. "Maybe, they'll make a bullseye this time."

"Fingers crossed," Donna said as she poured herself a cup of tea. "How are you doing, Saffron?"

"Fine," I replied, hoping I was doing a decent job masking the opposite of how I felt. "You are right, this is a beautiful day."

"You know, I don't really know much about you," she said suddenly. "What does your family do?"