Devil She Became (Devil's Angels Book 1) (21 page)

Rose pursed her lips and slowly nodded. “Well, we will have to see what your father thinks of this.”

As they walked out of the study, they could hear Reese’s peals of laughter. They walked into the parlor to see Reese sitting, looking beautiful and happily chatting with his father on the sofa.

His father stood to greet him. “Harrison, this young lady is simply enchanting. Not to mention spectacularly beautiful.” He grasped Harrison’s hand firmly.

Reese beamed at them. “Your father is telling me about the time he took you deep sea fishing in Anguilla.”

Harrison laughed and rolled his eyes. “Oh, God, you didn’t tell her I fell in, did you?”

Harlan, his dad, laughed and nodded. “As you were trying to pull that huge marlin in.”

Reese giggled.

Harrison smiled at the memory. “Hey, I was only eight years old, come on.”

Harlan kept smiling, “That was a good day.”

Rose sat quietly down next to her husband. “Harrison was telling me he’s engaged to Reese.”

Harlan nodded enthusiastically. “That’s wonderful!” He shook Harrison’s hand and went to embrace Reese.

“Congratulations to you both. May I see your ring, Reese?”

She extended her hand to him.

“Exquisite, Harrison. Looks breathtaking on you, my dear. Welcome to our family.” Harlan smiled broadly. Harrison looked very relieved as Rose looked sickly pale.

After talking with Harlan, Reese had taken a strong liking to him. He looked like an older version of Harrison. He was very handsome for a man of his age. He was tall and had a full head of hair with a lot of silver in it. He had the same hazel eyes as Harrison and an athletic build.

His father and mother reminded Reese of Harrison and Lisa together. Harrison had been so handsome and Lisa so mousy. His mother was also quite mousy. Perhaps that’s why she sensed Rose didn’t like her.

“Well, since it’s almost dinner time, why don’t we have Georgia set two more places. We’re having trout almandine for dinner. Do you like seafood, Reese?” Harlan asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Well, Georgia is a wonderful cook. We definitely got lucky with her, didn’t we, Rose?”

Harlan jabbed Rose with his arm.

“What? Oh, yes.” Rose looked distracted.

“Are you going to see the girls while you are here?” Harlan inquired, getting up from his seat.

Harrison slowly nodded. “Yes, I want to introduce the girls to Reese.”

Rose looked taken aback. “Don’t you think it’s a bit soon for that, dear?” Turning to Reese, she addressed her coolly. “No offense, Reese, honey, but Harrison just lost his wife several months ago, and the girls have lost their mother. It may be a bit soon for them to meet you.”

Reese bit her lip and looked down. Before she could speak, Harrison faced his mother.

“I think that it’s a perfect time for them to meet Reese. She is going to be their stepmother, and I think they will adore her as much as I do.”

Rose held up her hand. “I understand you two are seriously infatuated, but have you thought of how the girls will take this? They will feel as if you are trying to replace their mother… something you could never do.”

Harrison spoke loudly over Rose. “I know I can never do that, and I am certainly not trying to, but Reese is a huge part of my life now, and she will be a huge part of theirs’ as well.”

Reese turned to Rose and addressed her carefully.

“Rose, I have no intention of trying to be the girls’ new mother. However, I am going to be their stepmother, and it’s time that we all meet.”

Rose narrowed her hazel eyes at Reese. She was shocked at her audacity to speak to her in such a manner.

Her voice took a haughty tone as she peered down her nose at Reese.

“Well, dear, I realize that you were not raised in high society, but there are certain rules of decorum we follow here. We–”

Harrison shot up out of his chair. “–Mother, I have had enough. We are meeting the girls later and that’s that.”

Rose swallowed hard and glanced at her husband. “Harlan…”

Harlan rolled his eyes. “Rose, let them make their own choices. Harrison will do as he pleases where his children are concerned. End of story.”

Rose, shocked at her husband’s reluctance to come to her aid, closed her mouth.

Harlan clapped his hands together and stood up.

“Harrison, how about I show you what I have done in my office, how about it? The ladies can get to know each other.”

Harrison looked back at Reese and she nodded. “I will be right back, baby.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Harrison followed his father down the hall and up the stairs to his private office.

Harlan turned to him. “She is amazing, Harrison! I adore her! And she’s an absolute knockout… wow.”

Harrison smiled. He never dreamed his father would take to Reese so well.

“Thank you. I adore her too.”

Harlan wasn’t finished. “And that body… wow. I bet she keeps you busy.” He winked at Harrison.

Harrison blushed slightly at his father’s suggestion. “Yes, she is stunning. She used to model.”

Harlan nodded eagerly. “I can tell… boy, if I was twenty years younger, I would be all over that.”

Harrison was taken aback by his father’s openness. “Really?” He chuckled. “Mom doesn’t seem to like her much. Said she was a ‘tart’.”

The corners of Harlan’s mouth turned down. “She would. Your mother is quite cold, you know. That’s why I always had my little flings over the years.”

Harrison rubbed his neck. “I know. You have both told me about them as it was tabloid fodder for years.”

Harlan agreed. “Now that I’m old, I’m not as interesting I suppose. They leave me alone mostly.” He said, referring to the tabloids.

“That’s probably because you aren’t fooling around anymore.”

Harlan laughed hard. “Are you kidding? I have three women I am seeing now!”

Harrison looked dumbstruck. “What? Dad, you’re like seventy!”

Harlan smirked. “My appetite is as strong as when I was forty!”

“How can you–”

“–Keep up? Ha, that’s why God invented Viagra, son. These girls aren’t twenty-year-olds, but they are all in their late forties. Pretty young and hot for a guy like me.”

Harrison’s mouth gaped. “Does mom know?”

Harlan shrugged. “I don’t know. I seldom see her. She spends most of her time at the club playing that damn boring bridge all day.”

“So what do you do?” Harrison asked.

“What do you mean? With the girls?”

“No, just in general.”

“Well, I play a lot of golf, go over financials with my finance manager and play with my girls when I feel like it.” Harlan laughed.

Harrison stammered. He didn’t know what to say.

Harlan came around and put his arm on Harrison’s shoulder. “Look, son, let me tell you the truth. I liked Lisa, but she reminded me a lot of your mother. She was cold, arrogant and so taken with her place in society. I knew you were miserable with her, so in a way, her death probably set you free. Reese is exactly the kind of woman you wanted… I know. I wanted a girl like Reese too. She’s warm, gregarious and caring. She’s full of sensual passion; something your mother and Lisa never had. You only get one invitation to this party called life, and you better make the best of it.”

Harrison stood, stunned. “Why then did you tell me in college to ‘keep up the family name’, protect our reputation and all that crap?”

“My father told me the same things when I was young too. That’s why I married your mother. I had several hot little numbers I wanted to date, but your grandfather crushed that for me. He threatened to leave me out of the will.”

“So why did you do it to me?”

“Your grandfather was still alive and expected me to. If you’d had a son, you would do the same.”

Harrison violently shook his head no. “No, I wouldn’t. Thank God I don’t. I would tell them to marry whomever they chose. Fuck this family name bullshit.”

Harlan laughed. “Spoken like a true Grantham man. I’m sorry that Lisa is gone, Harrison, but life has given you a second chance for happiness. Go get her. Fuck the hell out of that gorgeous girl!”

“Dad! Really!”

Harlan cackled loudly. “Forgive my vulgarity, son. I had a few drinks earlier at the club.”

“What about mom? She said she wouldn’t support our decision to marry.”

“You let me handle her, Harrison. She is just a bitter old woman. Now let’s go rescue your lovely fiancée from your mother.”

Harrison breathed a huge sigh of relief. He had never expected his dad to understand. He wondered how he would have responded if he knew he had paid someone to kill Lisa.

********

Getting back into the limo, they drove to the Batten home where the girls were staying with Lisa’s parents.

“Now, Reese, I need to warn you that the Battens are unfortunately a lot like my mother. They are very ‘high society’, quite arrogant and rather intolerable.”

Reese nodded. She had expected as much.

“They do know I am coming, don’t they?”

Harrison nodded. “Yes, they do, but they weren’t exactly thrilled I’m sorry to say. I hope it doesn’t affect how the girls receive you. My girls are very sweet, so I know that you will adore them.”

“They are beautiful, Harrison. They look just like you. I can’t wait to meet them!”

As the limo pulled up to the enormous lavish Park Avenue building, Reese felt butterflies in her stomach. She knew that the Battens were devastated by the loss of their daughter, and she had been the main cause of Lisa’s death. It felt quite awkward. She knew they probably wouldn’t like her, but she just hoped the girls received her well.

As the pair rang the doorbell, Harrison clasped her hand reassuringly. “It’s fine, baby. You will do fine.”

Reese smiled at him and squeezed his hand back.

This time, when a distinguished older gentleman answered the door, Reese didn’t extend her hand. She assumed he was the butler like at the Grantham’s.

“Hello, Harrison. How are you?” The man had stylishly-cut silver hair and wore very expensive designer pants with a casual polo shirt.

“Reese, this is Mr. Batten. Mr. Batten, this is Reese Vogel, the girl I was telling you about.”

Reese blushed deeply. So he wasn’t the butler. In a building this lavish, she had expected they would have a butler like the Granthams.

Reese extended her hand. “So nice to meet you, Mr. Batten. I am so very sorry about the loss of your daughter.”

Slowly, Mr. Batten took Reese’s hand and gave it a limp shake.

“Thank you, my dear. Yes, we are all very saddened by our darling Lisa’s untimely death. It’s been so difficult for us all.” He emphasized all and looked pointedly at Harrison. Mr. Batten was nothing like Harrison’s father, who was jovial and kind. Mr. Batten hadn’t cracked a smile and stood very stiffly, staring at them.

“Well, Clarence, I came to see my girls. I am so anxious to see them.” Harrison began to pull Reese inside the elaborate home.

Mr. Batten tightly pursed his lips together and nodded.

“They are with Jillian in the pool right now. I will have Rollins fetch them.” Mr. Batten gestured for them to follow him.

As her heels clacked on the expensive wood flooring, Reese gazed around and saw the walls covered with elaborate, original artwork.
The Battens appear almost as wealthy as the Granthams,
she thought.

“You may sit in here if you like. I will call for Rollins now.” Mr. Batten led them to a sitting room off the main foyer. It was a very cold and formal room with high-backed chairs and a velvet couch. Reese perched nervously on the couch next to Harrison as they waited for the girls.

“He’s very cold.” Reese whispered to Harrison about Mr. Batten.

Harrison agreed. “Yes, he’s always been that way, even before Lisa’s death. God, how much would they hate us if they knew.”

Reese shuddered. “I know. I was thinking the same thing.”

Suddenly, a door flew open and they heard young children shrieking with laughter.

Two little girls with long beautiful, flowing hair came racing into the parlor.

“Daddy! daddy! We missed you!” The younger girl flew into his arms as the older girl hung back a bit in the doorway, staring at Reese.

“I missed you, babies. How have you been?” He hugged Olivia tightly as Alaina kept staring at Reese.

“Alaina, come here baby. I want to hug you so much.” Harrison reached his arms out to her.

“Who’s she?” Alaina asked, pointing at Reese.

“Girls, come here. Sit on my lap.” Olivia happily bounced on his lap while Alaina slowly walked over to them.

“This is Reese, girls. She’s a new friend of mine and hopefully a new friend of yours too. Can you tell her hi?”

“Hi, nice to meet you!” Olivia stuck out her hand to Reese.

Harrison and Reese laughed. Reese shook the tiny hand.