Stay Away (The Beocraftian Gambit - Book One)

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: FAMILY REUNION

Landry drove through the large gate into William's mansion. He stopped in front of a Nissan Terrano II which was parked inside the carport alongside the large apartment. Kevin got out first, then offered to help Natasha.

"Thank you. I can get off on my own." She turned him down rather impolitely.

He was taken a little aback by her abruptness.

Getting down from the car, she bolted past him, climbing up the mini-stairs on the facade of the large bungalow. She knocked and stood with her arms folded while waiting behind the door. She didn't turn to look at him. Landry noticed the tension between them but kept silent, making a mental note to talk to Kevin about it later.

"Dad! Damien!" Natasha called and stepped back a few paces after knocking.

A moment passed and no answer. She climbed up the stairs to hit the door again, this time a little louder than before. "Is anyone home?"

She shuffled backward and waited, folding her arms and avoiding Kevin's gaze. When it appeared no one was coming to open up, she raised her hand to knock again, but then the door swung open and her little brother came into view, his mouth hanging open.

Damien called out in a loud scream. "Daaaaaaaaad!"

Natasha smiled when she heard her dad answer from inside the room. "Who's at the door, son?"

"It's Natasha, Dad. She's back home." He looked past Natasha at Kevin, who stood behind her. Then his gaze fell on Landry, who was waiting in his car. "And she brought some friends along too."

Natasha heard footsteps from inside the room, then she saw William standing in the doorway.

"Dad!" she exclaimed, racing through the door to hug him, pushing Damien on her way in.

"Hey!" he yelled as he dropped to the carpeted floor.

William wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. "Natasha, I've been so worried about you. Are you okay?"

"I am fine, Dad." She hugged him again, resting her head on his chest. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, sweetheart."

"Great. Natasha's back." Damien grumbled under his breath. He stood up from the ground, cleaning himself. "I was beginning to enjoy being the only child."

"Damien!" William cautioned, his eyes held a fierce glare. "Go to your room, now!"

He grumbled as he walked out of the room.

William's eyes were drawn to Kevin who stood at the entrance, watching them. "Who's this?" He turned to face Natasha. "—the guy the doctor said you were with? Did he kidnap you?" He frowned, folding his fingers in a tight fist, ready to pounce on him.

Natasha quickly grabbed him, holding him back. "No, Dad! He saved me. The guy who attacked me at the hospital would have taken me if he hadn't come in quickly to stop him."

Kevin felt relieved, though surprised. He couldn't believe Natasha just defended him in front of her dad. Just a moment ago she seemed mad at him and was making it obvious. He wouldn't blame her for being annoyed—who wouldn't? What was he thinking when he kissed her? He feared that he was letting himself get carried away.

William looked over at Kevin and cracked a smile at him, gesturing with his hands for him to come in. "Please, come in and make yourself comfortable."

Kevin walked up to where they stood. He suddenly felt himself being so cautious around William—maybe because of the guilt he felt. No, it was more than just that. Something else about William had caused him to feel this uneasy.