MoboNovel Lite
Chapter 1
It had been ten years since I made my way back to Idaho.
My parents separated when I was five, and my mom tried so hard to stay around so I was close to my father growing up– but it didn’t work. After five years of being too close to my father, my mom upped and moved us clear across the states to Savannah, Georgia.
My mother, having been a southern belle all her life, loved the sweetness of Georgia, and everything it had to offer. In fact, the only reason she was with my father was because they had met in college, and before graduation she got pregnant with me.
That was why he married her– or kept her around at least.
Mom doesn’t talk about it often, and even though I get the occasional birthday gift or deposit of money in my account; I don’t hear from him. He always kept me at arms length which broke my heart at first, but eventually I grew to accept.
After some time he got married to my step-mother who had four strapping godsons, and a hatred for me I would never understand. The one time my father came to see me was at my high school graduation, and he brought her. We will just say that she was a stepford wife in the making, and if looks could kill– I’d be dead.
“Ivy! If you don’t come on, you’re going to miss your plane!” My mother hollered from downstairs, causing me to sigh.
I had finished my first two years of college at the local community college until I was able to get the prerequisites done for the university I wanted. However, out of the five that I applied for, my least favorite was the only one to accept me.
And that one just happened to be located in Idaho– where my father was.
I knew the university had been the best for a degree in Agriculture but I didn’t want to be close to my dad. Part of me was still hurt that he had chosen my step-mother and her godsons over me.
I am his daughter—his blood.
Yet, it didn’t seem to be enough.
Grabbing my suitcases, I pulled them towards the door as I slung my backpack over my shoulder, giving my room one last look around. It was bitter sweet leaving, but if I was ever going to accomplish my dreams I had to take some risks.
Heading down stairs, my eyes landed upon my mother, who stood by the doorway smiling at me. I knew that there was a lot I could say to help change my mind about going, but this was important to her.
My mother would never admit to me she was sick, but after much snooping I had found the truth– stage two cervical cancer.
Treatments were supposed to start soon, and as much as I wanted to confront her and tell her that I knew and I was staying, I knew she wouldn’t be pleased. I didn’t want to stress her out more than she already was.
She wanted me to follow my dreams– and that meant without me worrying about her.
“It’s going to be okay, Ivy.” My mother said as she drove towards the airport, “I spoke to your father and he is going to meet you as soon as you get off the plane.”
“That’s good I guess.” I replied, staring out the window, unsure of whether or not I really wanted him to be there. To be honest, I would be surprised if he showed up.
Many times he offered for me to fly out there to see him. Even told me about the magnitude of personal drivers the company had that could take me anywhere I wanted to go. As if that was going to persuade someone like me.
“It isn’t going to be that bad, Ivy. I don’t know why you feel so negative over the situation. You barely know your father and his family. It will be good for you to go. Trust me.” My mother was adamant on me going, and I wasn’t quite sure why.
“My birthday is in a few months, and I won’t be able to spend it with you.”
“Is that really what you are worried about?” My mother asked as she turned to look at me when she parked the car.
No, it wasn’t all I worried about. I worried about her being alone through all of what was going on with her. I worried about something terrible happening, and me not being here for her. But most of all I worried about losing my mother, and never getting to say goodbye.
I couldn’t help but sigh, “I don’t know. I just have a feeling I am making the wrong choice.”
“Well, you’re not.” My mother’s tone took me a little by surprise. “You have to do this.”
There was no point in arguing with her. She was right to an extent. I do need to stop fighting myself on going to see my father. Spending time with him wouldn’t be a bad thing. At least then I could have a reason to hate him if he messed up.
My father was mysterious. He came from nothing, and ended up one of the wealthiest people in the country, owning big corporations on the west coast of the states that not many knew how he obtained.
Other than that small fact though, I knew nothing about the man.
As I walked into the airport with my mom, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread washing over me. Something about all of this just didn’t feel right, and the more I looked at my mom I didn’t want to go. Tears sprang to my eyes as I thought of leaving her.
“I am going to miss you.” I told her softly, causing her to start crying as well.
“Aww, baby.” She mumbled wrapping her arms around me. “I am going to miss you as well, but you know what… this is an adventure you will love. I just know it.”
Saying goodbye was harder than I thought it was going to be.
As I moved down the terminal and climbed onto the plane, I let my tears fall, and a sense of numbness washed over me. I couldn’t show my weakness, because if I let it out, then I was more than likely going to run off the plane and refuse to go.
Settling into my seat, I couldn’t help but think how much my life had changed. I was no longer going to have the security of my mother’s home and the safety of the town I had grown up in. Instead, I was going to be in a home that I was never welcome in and in a town that was the farthest thing from home I could get.
I was trading warm weather and sunshine for cold breezes and snow.
Groaning to myself I watched as a bubbly blonde-haired girl strolled to my section, looking at the seat numbers. “Oh this is me!” She said excitedly, causing me to groan inwardly. Great, I don’t even get to sit by myself.
As she settled in, I raised my brow, watching her maneuver all of her items into her small space. Her long blonde hair swept into a high ponytail, and her makeup perfectly on point. She must have been the barbie doll type… a contrast from my dark hair, and occasional glasses.
“Hi there!” She said her heavy southern accent flowing from her lips as a small twinkle marked the corner of her eye. “Looks like we get to fly together. Where ya headed?”
As she stared at me, I contemplated my choices. One, I could be rude and completely ignore her or two, I could find chatting with her better to preoccupy my mind and pass the time.
Oh the choices…
“I am headed to Idaho… school.” My choice wasn’t that hard after all. She looked at me and her eyes widened.
“Oh my God! Me too!” The happy expression on her face made my eyes widen.
This girl is also way too excited this early in the morning.
“That’s cool. What are you going to school for?” I was curious about her response because there wasn’t much you attended the University of Idaho for.
“Oh, agricultural studies. I want to help the planet and all… not really narrowed down to a specific area yet.” Her response was interesting and I knew how she felt. I couldn’t pinpoint my specific area either.
“That’s cool. I am doing the same.”
“Oh wow!” She squealed, “Maybe we will end up being roommates too.” She chuckled and I sighed softly, thinking how I would rather that then staying at my fathers home.
“Unfortunately, I wish that were the case… but, I am staying at my dad’s house. No point in dorms when I can live with him for free, ya know.”
She nodded her head, smiling at me, and I couldn’t help but feel at ease around her. She was a nice contrast to the bundle of nerves and irritation I had been before.
“Well, regardless it’s going to be a wonderful year. By the way, my name is Kate.” Holding her hand out to me, I hesitated before taking it.
“Ivy.” I replied flatly before the corner of my lip turned up into a small smile.
I had expected to come to this school and not make any friends at all, and yet here I was, making friends with a girl I would never have considered being friends with before we even left the tarmac.
I was more laid back, and closed off. An introvert if you will, and that was the complete opposite of Kate. She was the kind of girl I would have had issues with through high school. The cheerleader type that cared about how she looked and the social status that surrounded her.
Although, in this case, looks were deceiving. She wasn’t that kind of person at all and for that I was grateful.
Time passed by quickly as we sat talking and eventually the plane made its descent to the ground, stopping at Fountains airport. It was near the school, but my fathers home was still 45 minutes away from there. At least it would give me time to catch up with my dad and get through all of the uncomfortable silence before meeting the rest of the demons from hell.
“So who’s picking you up again?” Kate asked as we waited for our luggage to arrive. My eyes searched for my father but not seeing him anywhere.
“My dad supposedly… he must not be here yet.” I mumbled before a sigh escaped me.
“Oh my God…” Kate groaned letting a small sigh escape her, “don’t look now but there are two totally sexy men standing over there to your right.”
My brows furrowed in confusion as I followed her line of sight towards the men she was talking about. They seemed to be arguing with each other, but one of them had a sign with my name on it in their hand and as I read it I realized who they were.
“Are you f*cking kidding me…” I grumbled, causing Kate to look at me in question.
“What’s wrong?”
“Those two are part of the four brothers. Guess my dad didn’t have time to come get me after all.” If the day couldn’t get worse… it just did.
Chapter 2
“Where is my dad?” I asked firmly as I approached them both, dragging my suitcases behind me. Their dark eyes looking down on me took me by surprise, and I couldn’t help but notice how well they looked from the photos I remembered.
They had definitely been working out.
“Ivy?” The taller one with tattoos on his left arm that appeared below his sleeve questioned. His black hair messy on his head as if he had just gotten out of the shower and couldn’t be asked to do anything with himself.
“Yeah. That’s me.” I retorted, pulling myself from the gaze I was in. “My dad?”
The man rolled his eyes, ignoring me, and quickly grabbed my suitcase, dragging it behind him towards the doors. “Sorry, Ivy…” The other said with an apologetic smile. Damian doesn’t say much to many people. I’m James.”
“Ivy!” Kate squealed from behind me as she came walking over. “I told you I knew the bag was somewhere. Glad I caught you before I got my cab. I just wanted to say thank you for keeping me company on the plane.”
“Oh. It’s fine. I enjoyed it.” The idea she was taking a cab didn’t sit well with me. She was a nice girl, and had treated me fairly while venturing here. “Don’t take a cab. We can drop you off at campus. Isn’t that right, James?”
The look I gave him as I said his name had him speechless. It took him a moment to grasp what was going on and then he smiled. “Oh yeah, of course. The campus is only, like, 10 minutes away. It’s no problem at all.”
“Awww, well thank you so much, sugar!” Kate squealed as she threw her arms around me, causing me to stiffen uncomfortably in the hug.
Pulling back, she looked at me slightly confused, “not a hugger?”
“Not really.” I replied with a chuckle, “but it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” My eyes shot to James and a smirk played upon his mouth as if he found my reaction amusing.
“Here I will take those from you, and we will get on our way.” James replied to Kate as he his eyes gazed over my body one last time.
Following James outside the last thing I expected was for Damian to throw a fit about us dropping Kate off. But after my firm placement on the manner, he gritted his teeth and agreed. “Get in the f*****g car.”
His reply irritated me but Kate and I didn’t wait for him to ask us again. As soon as we were loaded up, the car began to move towards the campus where we would both be taking classes for the next four years.
The trees and brush passed by on the sides of the road, flying as if they had nothing in the world that could stop them. One thing I had been excited about coming to Idaho was all of the nature that would surround me. I had the urge to get lost within it, and explore things people never considered seeing.
Growing up, mom and I were considered free spirits, and tended to beat to the sound of our own drum. And just because she wasn’t with me right now didn’t mean I was going to stop. My particular ancestry would be heartbroken if I stopped doing what I was doing just because I moved across the country.
Eventually, turning off the main highway, we moved towards a more symmetrical designed street that held loads of vegetation and historical buildings.
“This is amazing–” Kate whispered looking out the window.
“Welcome to the University of Idaho.” James chuckled, causing Damian to scoff in annoyance.
As soon as we pulled up towards an area that looked like apartments, Damian came to a quick stop, slamming on his breaks, jolting me forward. “Ouch.” I replied in irritation as he turned and looked at me.
“Pay attention next time then.” Damian snapped before jumping out of the vehicle, and making his way towards the back where James was helping Kate pull out her luggage. Groaning in irritation, I hopped out and walked towards Kate, “Do you have it from here?”
“Oh definitely. Thank you again for the ride.” She called out as she waved, “I will see you Monday.”
“Sounds great, I will see you at orientation.” I called out before Damian yelled to James to hurry up and get in the damn vehicle.
I had not even been here that long, and Damian was already proving to be the biggest a*****e I had ever met. That would be my luck though.
“Do you have to be so rude?” I asked as we pulled back out onto the highway, headed towards my dad’s home. I wasn’t going to allow him to act like this towards me or anyone I associated with. It wasn’t needed nor welcome.
I watched as he looked at me from the rearview mirror, his eyes darkening as he glared. Most girls probably would have looked away and shrunk back from him but me… I would never.
Raising my eyebrow in question, I lifted my hand and gave him the middle finger, causing him to smirk. “You have a lot of fire in you for someone who doesn’t know anything about this place.”
A scoff escaped me as I rolled my eyes, “they are all the same in the end. One pathetic excuse of a home after another.”
James laughed, shaking his head, “I like her attitude.”
“No one f*****g asked you.” Damian growled, catching me by surprise. His eyes went to mine again as if realizing what he did. “Don’t get comfortable here.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m simply passing through.” I replied, rolling my eyes. James seemed welcoming, but Damian definitely wasn’t. It made me curious to know what the other two were like.
Were they going to be just as warm and welcoming as the welcome committee that met me at the airport or perhaps would they try to devour me like, little red riding hood?
With tension in the air, and awkward silence, the vehicle finally pulled into a driveway guarded by tall large black iron gates. Through there, it wound through miles and miles of trees until a clearing approached in the distance, and I realized that the property was more than I had expected.
Multiple houses sat scattered over miles of landscape while the one Damian was heading for was tall and elegant against the bright blue sky. “This is the house?”
James looked over from the passenger seat and smiled at me, “yeah, haven’t you seen it?”
“No.” I sighed, “my father was never forthcoming and he never cared for me anyways.”
James’ brows furrowed in confusion at my statement, “huh?”
As Damian parked the car, he didn’t bother to wait for me or help for that matter. He simply climbed out, slamming the door and ran inside to get as far from me as he could. At least James stayed outside with me, maybe one of them would actually want to get a long with me.
Slowly opening the door, I closed it and moved towards the back where James was pulling out my luggage. ” Thank you.”
“For what?” His confusion over why I was saying thank you confused me, before I watched him close the back and walk off.
“You’re not going to help me?” I called out to him, watching as he turned to me with a smile.
“Your dad said to get you here alive and to the house. He never said once I got here I had to continue helping you. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
So much for being nice. He was just as much of an a*****e as Damian was.
Groaning, I pulled the handles on my two large suitcases and threw the backpack across my back. It wasn’t going to be easy getting them inside, considering how heavy they were, but I would find a way to manage, I suppose.
As I stepped through the front door, I came face to face with my step mother. Her brown eyes narrowed at me and a fake smile plastered on her face. “Ivy. I was wondering what was taking you so long. We don’t waste time in this house. We are all adults here now, and need to remember punctuality is important.”
“Sure thing, Alice.” I said flatly, watching as she glared at me harder.
“It’s Allison.” Her gritted tone switched from pleasant to angry faster than a hellcat could shift gears.
“Right. Where am I staying?” I asked as I looked around the massive two story home, curious to think how I would get my bags upstairs.
“Oh you’re not in the main house, Ivy. We made the cottage at the back of the property ready for you. We figured you would like your own space.” Allison seemed more than pleased with the notion of keeping me as far from her and my father as possible.
“Sounds perfect… care to point the way?” The fact that her words didn’t affect me seemed to irritate her, but instead of arguing with me, she simply turned and I followed. As we reached the back door, she opened it and pointed to a small brown and white cottage at the far end of the massive property.
It sat delicately next to the woodline, and something about it almost seemed magical. Ignoring Allison, I let my feet guide me towards the home. My bags no longer felt heavy, and the irritation from my welcome committee quickly left me.
I wasn’t sure what about this place seemed like home, but I was pleased to know that I was going to be able to live my own life here.
Close to nature and far from drama– or so I hoped.
Chapter 3
Pulling my suitcase into the cottage, I looked around at the set up my step-mother had ready for me. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. In fact, the rustic cozy feel of the home had me feeling like I walked into something out of a fairytale book.
Small fairy lights and greenery swept the walls, accenting the white drapery that lined the windows and cascaded down upon the floor. The cottage had a small living room with a kitchenette, and a bedroom with a bathroom off to the side. With everything here, I wouldn’t need to go up to the main house for much.
“Hmm… not bad.” I mumbled to myself as I dragged the bags into my bedroom, and laid it on the bed. Growing up and moving around quite a bit, my mother always told me to unpack in the bedroom first. That way at the end of the day, the bedroom was done and I was able to relax.
As I slowly began to unpack, my phone began to chime with notifications causing me to groan. I had only just arrived at this place, and already I was being blown up. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I saw my fathers text messages and sighed.
‘Come inside. I would like to talk to you.’
Of course he wants to see me now. Yet, he couldn’t come to the airport to pick me up.
Sliding back on my flats, I made my trek back up to the main house, and entered through the back door. I had no idea where I was supposed to meet him in the big house, but Allison made sure to greet me in the kitchen to ensure I got to where I needed to be.
“There you are. Took you long enough.” She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Hurry up.”
I could already tell with the way she was acting that she wasn’t going to make staying here easy. Thankfully, I wasn’t the same girl I was when I was younger. I didn’t let people push me around anymore, and if she thought she could act however she wanted towards me, she would find herself mistaken.
Following behind her, she moved through the house with haste until she came to a large white wooden door. “Remember, always knock before you enter.” She remarked clearly, staring at me with a raised brow as if I was a child who didn’t have manners.
“Yeah, got it.” Rolling my eyes, I knocked on the door, and waited for a response. My father quickly replied to come in, and I made sure to give Allison a smirk of approval before I opened the door.
If she kept it up, I was going to make it my personal objective to do everything I could to piss her off. I may have been an introvert who loved books and nature, but I could be the devil if I needed to be.
My mom can vouch for that as well– I used to have a wicked streak.
Stepping inside his office, he stood from the dark brown desk in it’s center that he had been sitting behind, a smile lighting up his face as he saw me. “Ivy, goodness you have grown.”
“It’s been two years since I saw you last.” I replied with a smile as he came towards me with his arms open for a hug. The moment being more awkward than I would have liked it, but I hugged him regardless to show I was trying.
“Yes, it has.” He sighed, “I hope that you have found the accommodations to be more than adequate. Allison and I felt that you would like your own space now that you’re older. That way you won’t be disturbed by the chaos that seems to float around the main house.”
A chuckle left my lips as I nodded, “yeah, I love the cottage it’s very—”
“You.” He replied finishing my sentence.
“Yes, it’s very me.” I smiled and watched as he gestured for me to take a seat in the chair across from his desk. “You didn’t come meet me at the airport?”
My father sighed and nodded his head, “yes, and I am sorry about that. I am working a deal with a foreign dignitary right now, and I wasn’t able to break away. It was important for the deal to go right.”
“It’s okay. The guys were—” I thought a moment about how to describe them, and watched how my fathers face turned concerned with my hesitation, “they were welcoming.”
A smile crossed his face as soon as I said what I did, “Well, that’s good. Three of them attend the university as well.”
Surprise filled me thinking that they were actually attending college, “really?”
“Yes,” my father laughed, “James, Talon, and Hale all attend the college.”
It confused me for a moment that only three of them would attend the college, but the oldest one, Damian, didn’t. Perhaps his bad boy persona gave him a reason to think he was too good to go to college and get a degree.
“Damian doesn’t though?” I was curious for the clarification. If I was going to survive here, I had to know my enemies, and it was clear the guys weren’t going to get along with me very well.
“No, Damian actually already finished last year. He works with me in the company, and is helping me to run it. He is a lot smarter than he chooses to admit.”
I wasn’t sure how he was running a business considering it didn’t have the most pleasant of attitudes, but then again, looks can be deceiving. Perhaps, it was just me that he didn’t want to get along with.
“Well, I am glad you have the help.” Trying to stay positive with an already awkward conversation was growing harder than I would have liked it to. A moment of silence fell between us as my father watched my every move.
“I have something for you.” He finally replied, his smile growing wide. “Come with me.”
My father stood to his feet, and moved from behind the desk. My eyes following him until I realized he was waiting for me. “Oh–”
Quickly, standing to my feet, he opened the office door, and led me down a hallway through the kitchen towards another door. As he opened it, I noticed that the door led towards the garage, and I was slightly curious to know why we were going in there.
“Now, the drive is a decent one to the University. So I got you something to make sure you were able to have reliable transportation.”
My eyes widened as he stopped in front of a sleek black sedan. Dark tinted windows and chrome accenting decorated the beautiful vehicle, and made me feel breathless.
“You got me a car?” I mumbled trying to wrap my head around what he was saying. I had been upset about not being able to bring my car from Georgia, but my mom refused to allow me to drive across country alone. She had assured me I wouldn’t need it when I got here, and I had considered it was because I would have a driver.
But man was I wrong! A brand new f**kin car—- mind blown.
“Yes, Ivy.” He chuckled, pulling the key from his pocket, “I got you a car. You are going to change the world, sweetie. I have more faith in you than you know, and I realize I was never there for you before but now that you are here, that’s going to change.”
My emotions threatened to expose me for being soft as the tears threatened to rim my eyes. I looked at him, and smiled before stepping in and giving him a hug. “Thank you.”
I wasn’t going to automatically believe that my father had changed from the ways he was, but the least I could do was try to give him a chance to show me that he is different.
“Your welcome, Ivy.”
Pulling back, I wiped a stray tear from my eye, and looked at him smiling. “I am looking forward to the next four years here. I hope we will be able to make memories.”
“I am sure we will. Now, I know you have a lot of settling in to do before Monday’s classes so I will let you get to it. We are going to have a family dinner this evening at seven. I would like for you to join.”
Family dinner… mentally I wanted to slap myself for suggesting making memories because family dinners with the stepford wife and her arrogant godson’s weren’t my idea of pleasurable memories. “Of course, that sounds wonderful.”
As much as I wasn’t pleased with the idea, I suppose I can’t just expect them to be the only ones who put in effort. I have to be willing to do the same as well.