Melody's POV

After breakfast, Hunter receives a call and answers it before walking away from the dining room.

Thalia smiles at me. "I'm going into town this afternoon. Do you want to go shopping?"

"Sure," I pull my phone out of my pocket. Put your number in here. I will be in town at 1 p.m. for lunch with a friend. Can I meet you after that?"

"Okay," Thalia says as she takes my phone and types her number in. "I will see you later, Keegan." She walks away.

Ayden watches her walk away. He has a smile on his face. "You know it's the first time I've seen Thalia warm up to someone besides Tia."

I move over to him and say, "How long have you liked her?"

Ayden's face turns red. "I don't know what you're talking about, Keegan."

"Sure, you don't, Ayden. I suppose it would be hard for someone like Thalia to be interested in someone she's watched sleep with all these women before he could express his interest in her."

Suri laughs. "I've never seen anyone talk to my brother like that. You do have a point. Ayden likes Thalia, but she won't let anything happen between them because of all the crap she's witnessed with him and the other woman."

"Maybe, Ayden can change for her. However, I think that is highly unlikely." Luna says.

We laugh, and Ayden shakes his head. Looking at us, he says. "Why are you three ganging up on me?"

"You deserve it," Luna says. "Besides, we all know that Keegan will be part of our family soon enough." She wraps her arms around me. Lowering her voice, she adds. "You need to tell us who you are first."

A smile spreads across my face as I look at her. "I will tell you when the time is right. I promise, Luna. I hope you don't dislike me for keeping this a secret."

"Fine," Luna throws her hands up in the air.

Hunter walks into the room and looks at everyone. "Keegan, you need to get to work. I'm not paying you to gossip with my family."

I see the kitchen staff walk through the door to clear the tables. "Yes, Sir." I walk out of the dining room and head towards the West Wing.

Reaching the Wing, I unlock the door and enter the room. I grab a step ladder and take it to my room, where I clean the fan first. I moved the chair to the other room.

When I get to Hunter's room, I clean the fan. I take a step back and lose my footing. Before I fall, Hunter catches me. "Be careful, Keegan. I don't want anything else to happen to you."

"Sorry," my arms wrap around his shoulder. I look into his eyes and ask. "When are you going to kiss me, Hunter?"

"I will kiss you when the moment is right." Hunter sets me on the ground. "I have a meeting to get ready for. Can you give me ten minutes before you clean this room?"

"Okay," I said, picking up the chair and putting it away before picking up the feather duster and cleaning the skirting boards.

After the skirting boards, I dust everything before washing and vacuuming the floors.

The next time I look up, the time is noon.

I have to get ready for lunch.

After everything is put away, I walk to the bathroom and shower. Once I'm clean, I grab a long black-and-white dress, tights, and a thick leather jacket to complete the outfit. Going through the suitcase, I grab my boots and put them on.

I look good.

Before I walk out of the Wing, I see Hunter. He pauses at the door. "Where are you going looking like that?"

"I'm having lunch with Vance."

"You need to change."

"No," I cross my arms and look at Hunter. I look good in this ensemble. You can choose something else if you'd like." Opening my suitcase, I show him the things that I've packed.

Hunter looks into the suitcase and shakes his head at what he's found. "You packed dresses and tights?"

"Yes," I smile at him. "The jeans are at the bottom of the suitcase, and I couldn't be bothered looking for them."

Hunter pushes me against the wall. "Why are you teasing me?" He puts his nose next to my neck, breathing me in. "You smell incredible."

Putting my arms between us, I slightly push him back. Leaning forward, I whisper. "Next time you have me against the wall, kiss me or fuck. I would prefer both." I step around him.

Shock washes over his features. "Damn," Hunter mutters.

Laughing, I walk out of the room. I grab the bag by the entry and take it.

Before I get too far, Hunter says. "I'll have a car take you to town."

Shaking my head, I say. "I need some fresh air." I kiss his cheek before walking out the door.

As I'm heading out of the house, I see Thalia, who has some bags in her hands. "I'm going home for a couple of hours. Mom likes it when I come home with washing. It makes her feel needed."

A smile spreads across her face. "Your Mom sounds like mine. I haven't lived in the same house as my Mom for four years, and she asks me to stop by every week unless I'm away for work."

"You work away from home?"

"Yes," I look around the house. "I have a younger sister who still lives at home, but she's graduating soon. Then she will be off to University.

"Do you know what she wants to study?"

"Yeah," turning towards Thalia, I say. "Maggie wants to be a Doctor. Follow in the footsteps of our mother."

"Is your mother a doctor?"

"Mom used to be. She took over my father's company after he passed."

"I'm sorry to hear about you're father."

"It's been fifteen years since he passed. I don't remember much about him. All my memories of him are of him working all the time. He didn't have time to spend with me. Mom was a maid to him. He was happy when she sacrificed her career, but Mom wasn't. When she fell pregnant with Maggie, it gave her a reason to smile."

"Have you thought of taking her place at the company?"

Shaking my head, I say. "I am following my calling. I may consider taking over the company once I'm ready for a change."

Suri walks over to us. "Thalia, Keegan. Are you going to town?"

"Yes," I smile at her. "I'll be walking."

"I'll accompany you. I'm meeting an ex in town."

"Really?" Thalia and I say at the same time."

"Yes," she says, wearing a tight dress and a denim jacket. Her makeup is lightly applied. "Don't tell Hunter you saw me. He would give me hell for being in touch with my ex."

"Let's get out of here before Hunter looks for you." Thalia, Suri and I run to the gate.

When we get there, Wallace exits the booth and looks at us. "Good afternoon, ladies. Where are you heading today?"

"Into town." I tell him, "We want some exercise and fresh air. Please let us through."

Wallace looks at Suri. "Does Hunter know you're going to be roaming the streets?"

"If I'm with Keegan, he won't care. Besides, you know he cares a lot about her."

Turning around, I point to the men around us. "Do you think anything will happen when these men are around? They are security for me. They will protect anyone with me, too. After all, Zane won't want the people in my presence to be harmed either. If they are hurt, he knows it will hurt me."

"How do you know the most dangerous people in town?" Wallace asks. "Not many people can tell them what to do. You seem to be a high-profile person."

"I am."

"Are you serious?" Thalia asks. "I've never been around high-profile people before."

Pointing at Suri, I say. "The Westbrooks are high-profile."

Thalia shakes her head. "No, they aren't. The Westbrooks are from old money and get what they want. A high-profile person is someone who commands the people around them. I've seen the way you interact with people like Zane and Vance. Put those two together and you get trouble. One's a hacker and the other is..."

I don't think she's able to say what Zane is.

"Zane is what?" Suri asks.

"Dangerous," I provide. "The son is dangerous, too. Which is why I won't let Levi through the gates."

Wallace looks at me. "I would have pissed myself if I had to let him through the gate. At least you chose to keep him out."

"Can you let us out, Wallace? I have places to be."

"Okay," Wallace opens the gate, and we walk out. "Have a good day."

***

At Mal's, I walk through the front door and see Vance at the VIP table. He stands up and moves towards me, hugging me. He whispers, "I thought you'd stand me up."

Laughing, I say. "I would never do that, Vance. When I organise something, I show up. I walked here."

"The Westbrooks didn't offer you a car?"

"Hunter, did. I told him that I wanted to walk."

Vance looks at the door as Suri enters. He turns back to me. "Let's order." He puts his hand on the small of my back as we hide in the corner.

"What's going on, Vance? Why are you hiding from Suri?"

Vance's face turns red. He looks at the table and says. "I left something at the house last night and returned for it. I hooked up with Suri."

"Okay," my eyes connect with Suri's. "What happened after that?"

"I snuck out of her room and left her without a goodbye."

Slapping him, I say. "You're an asshole, Vance. Why would you do that to someone as sweet as Suri?"

Suri rushes out the door. She looks hurt seeing me with him.

Turning towards Vance, I say. "I will be back."

Running out of Mal's, I catch up with Suri. Grabbing her arm, I say. "Are you okay, Suri?"

Suri shakes her head. "I lied about meeting an ex."

"I know." Pulling her into my arms, I whisper. "I know you hooked up with Vance last night."

Suri's face turns red. "Vance was good in bed."

Covering my ears, I say. "I don't want to know. Vance and I have never been like that. That includes the ones you've yet to meet. These people have protected me because of my mother."

"Your Mom?"

"Yes," a smile spreads across my face. "When most of these people got into trouble, she was a Doctor to them."

"Did your Mom ever ask questions?"

"No," I shake my head. "Mom knew these people didn't need her prying, so she left them to do what they had to. She provided care and then went back to her life."

"What are you doing after lunch?"

"When I'm done here, I will go shopping with Thalia. I need a new outfit for tomorrow."

"For karaoke?"

"Yes," I look at her. "What colour should we wear for our performance?"

Suri taps her lips with her fingers. "I'm not sure. What if we look for matching outfits and see what we like?"

"Deal," I shake her hand. "I will see you later." Walking into Mal's, I sit with Vance.

Vance looks at the door. "Is Suri okay?"

"Yes, she'll get over you in no time. When we get home, I'll introduce her to other men. One of them will be a distraction from you."

"Ouch," Vance fakes being hurt. "You know how to hurt me."

The door opens to the restaurant, and Hunter enters Mal's. His eyes roam around the room until they settle on me.

"Should we skip lunch, Melody? It looks like you have someone else to dine with."

"Are you okay with that?"

Vance smiles. "I'm okay with it. I will see you around. Bye." He walks out of Mal's

It looks like the Westbrook siblings want me all to themselves. It doesn't bother me; I like being around them.