RUTHLESS GAME

Chapter 6: Home Again

Julian

"I'm so happy you finally got the time to visit, Julian. I missed you."

A pang of guilt hit me as I gazed at my mother across the table. Despite all of my success, and my life being as good as it could get, Maggie Thorne was the only real light in my life. She always had been, and I really should visit her more often. Lifting my glass to take a sip of water, I watched her with hooded eyes, waiting for her next comment. I knew what was coming.

"It's time you put aside your differences with William and Stephen and come home more often."

And there it was. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I calmly replied, "If you're waiting for me to suck up to those two, Mom, you'll be waiting forever." I never cared much about my relationship―or lack thereof―with daddy and baby Thorne a.k.a my stepfather and stepbrother.

"Julian."

"Mom." I sent her a dark look across the table. "I came home to see you. Isn't that enough?"

Mom huffed and lifted her fork to stuff her mouth with salmon. Chewing slowly, she brooded. I knew she was wondering how her son had grown up to be so defiant and stubborn. Then again, she knew I was born this way. After all, she always joked about how I had emerged from her womb ahead of time, already marching to my own beat. So, I was surprised that she still hadn't yet given up on the idea of me being chummy with William and Stephen. It would never happen.

"If only you were staying at the house, I'd get to see more of you," she sighed. "It isn't too late to book out of that hotel and stay―"

"The hotel is great, and you've seen me every day since I've been here." I'd expertly managed to avoid my cold bastard of a stepfather so far, but not his son. Yesterday, when I ran into Stephen, the brother from hell, I took immense pleasure in rubbing my success in his face. I wasn't a braggart, but Stephen was a condescending asshole to me every chance he got. So, I fired back the same attitude at him.

Mom's shoulders drooped, and she gave up the charade. "Fine, forget staying at the house. How's your trip back home been so far?"

Instantly, I reflected on my first night back. Sweet mysterious Ruby. A small smile tugged at my lips. What I would give to run my hands along those shapely, long legs, or to taste those sweet plump lips, or to feel her tight sheath around my d**k one more time.

Letting out a breath and forcing Ruby out of my mind before my hard-on became too much to manage, I shifted in my chair, this time reaching for the bottle of Chardonnay Mom had ordered.

"This year's visit had a spectacular start." My night with Ruby had set one hell of a tone. Thoughts of the mystery woman took over my mind as they had for the past few days. She'd become an obsession. As much as I tried to convince myself that I'd soon forget about Ruby, I knew the memory of her would linger for quite some time.

"Spectacular?" Mom's brows elevated and her clear blue eyes lit up with interest. "I couldn't have had anything to do with that spectacular start. I didn't even see you the night you arrived."

I chuckled. "I can see those wheels turning in your head, Mom. No, I didn't reunite with some longtime love." Because I knew my mother well, I knew what she'd ask, so I quickly added, "There's none back in Minneapolis either." There were plenty of women, but none that I could say I had any long-term interest in.

Mom heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I'll never get any grandchildren. Well, there's still Stephen. Perhaps he'll give me one soon and beat you to it."

Putting down my glass with more force than necessary, I scowled. "Are you using my rivalry with Stephen to get me to hurry up and give you a grandchild?"

Her cheeks reddened. "Of course not… unless it's working."

I threw my back and roared. My hearty laughter disrupted the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant and a few diners turned to look at us.

Mom's lips twitched, and then she giggled.

"I had no idea you could be so underhanded, Mom. I'm appalled."

"It was worth a try," she grumbled. "So, how's business?"

I smirked, relieved that she'd quickly let the subject of grandchildren drop. I didn't see myself in a relationship anytime soon to even think about children. I almost shuddered at the thought of being with one woman for the rest of his life. "Great. I'm in the process of expanding the company's services, so I've been super busy."

"That's right, Wilde Cargo will now be supplying aviation parts."

"That's why it's now Wilde Aviation."

Mom smiled. "Have I told you how proud of you I am?"

"Many times." I grinned. "You can stop now."

"Your father would have been proud, too."

My eyes flew up to meet Mom's just as her mouth clamped shut. She rarely mentioned the father I'd never met. All I knew was that the man died before I was born and getting anything else out of Mom was like pulling teeth. I could tell that she'd let that comment unintentionally slip by the panic I saw rising in her eyes.

Her gaze dropped to the table. Watching the blatant guilt flicker across her face made me feel awful. I always wondered what the mystery surrounding my biological father was all about. The man was dead. It wasn't like I'd go hunting him down.

The light mood that had been present was quickly fleeting. Jaws clenched, I muttered, "You can relax, Mom. I'm not going to press for information."

"Julian, I―"

"Really, you don't have to say another word. I'm not a kid itching to know about someone I've never met. I got over that a long time ago." That was a lie, but I looked Mom in the eyes and made her believe it. It was hard to let go of never knowing my father. I really wished I'd at least met him. "Let's not ruin dinner with such a depressing topic."

With a sad smile, she nodded. "Tell me more about your plans for your company."

We settled into light chatter and soon it was as if the topic of my phantom father hadn't surfaced.

***

I reluctantly walked Mom inside. The second I entered my childhood home, I was hit with the usual unease. Gazing around the expertly decorated living room with an all-white interior, I thought of how out of place I'd felt in the sterile environment growing up.

Who had white walls and furniture with children running around? Then again, I'd been the only one running around and wreaking havoc like a normal kid and would get punished. Stephen never played or broke any rules. He had a stick up his ass since the day I met him.

My discomfort mounted the further we ventured into the mansion. Hopefully, I didn't run into the Thorne squad. "Let's make this quick, Mom. There's something I have to do tonight."

"Like I don't know that you're trying to avoid certain people," Mom drawled with a slight smile. "Relax, Julian, we'll just have some tea and I'll update you on all that's been happening here. So what if you see William or Stephen? You haven't been home in a year."

"With good reason," I muttered under his breath. Eyebrows knitted, I huffed. Wasn't Mom tired of trying to force the three men in her life to get along after twenty-five years?

Resting her purse on a sofa, Mom asked, "What are you having?"

"Whatever you're having. I really can't stay long."

With a disappointed sigh, Mom disappeared.

Alone, I continued to inspect my former home. Not a thing had changed. I soon found myself strolling the halls of the massive house, taking in familiar paintings and photographs. My lips quirked, realizing that the only picture of me was hung behind the others in the dimmest part of the long hallway. It was symbolic. I never felt close to most of the family, never fit in. I had stopped trying at a very young age. The sound of voices filtering through an ajar door stopped me in my tracks.

The voices weren't hard to recognize. They were that of my cold stepfather, William, and the distinct eager to please note of my stepbrother, Stephen. I wheeled around to return to the living room, but I couldn't help overhearing.

"Why do you even want that place, Father?"

"No need to concern yourself with that," William said absently.

"Why this whole arranged―"

"Just go with it, son. See how things play out. That Caleb is a real piece of work," William laughed. "I'm starting to think this whole thing might be beneficial not only financially but… family-wise."

Stephen smugly chimed in, "When you said Caleb suggested the idea, I did see an opportunity."

"We'll have to meet her and approve first, but you never know. It's time you started producing more Thornes, boy," William declared.

"I know how much you want grandchildren, Dad. I'll try my best."

I considered what I overheard. Of course, they were talking about attaining some property or another. The Thornes were in the habit of buying out property and businesses to increase their reach. It was like they were trying to take over the world. But grandchildren? What was that about? The thought of more stuck-up Thornes being born made me shudder with disgust.

Quickly dismissing the thought, I shrugged and walked off. If I was lucky, I'd entertain my mother over tea and leave before father and son emerged from their plotting. I didn't have the energy to clash with either of them tonight.