Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"What?"

"I heard Grandpa's been getting tougher on you. Are you still willing to leave with me?" Warren's eyes were earnest, searching Sylvia's face.

Sylvia set down her coffee cup and glanced at him he clearly wasn't going to get much out of her. She decided to stay polite. "I'm finished. Let's go."

She stood up to leave, but Warren suddenly grabbed her wrist.

She winced, staring at him-there was something strange and stormy in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Warren stood as well, sighing. He glanced at her collar, then gave a crooked smile. "Just so you know, your shirt's inside out."

"Oh." Sylvia glanced down at her collar as he fixed it for her, then turned sharply and headed for the door.

...

Across town.

Bailey propped her chin on her hand, staring at a plate of roast chicken and mashed potatoes. She barely had an appetite, thanks to the sour-faced man sitting across from her.

"Mr. Rupert, aren't you going to check on them? Your niece is pretty gutsy, still hanging around Warren."

"I heard he sold off the family's secret recipe. And now he's been offloading shares of the family company under the table. Looks like he's digging a hole for you before he skips town."

himself some tea, utterly unbothered. "Let's

lot of men, but

so she couldn't

expression unreadable, and stood. "I'm heading out for a bit. Help yourself

assistant over. "What was the name of that actor

for Mr. Rupert?" the

heck I am. Don't trust a

...

Sylvia downstairs, she deliberately slowed her pace-she didn't

a way to say goodbye

you're back! And

lit up; she must have mistaken Warren for Rupert, the man Sylvia had once introduced with a

clarify, "Oh, Mrs. Ward, don't

extended his hand. "I'm Sylvia's big brother.

embarrassment and reached to shake his hand, but Sylvia quickly grabbed her

have something

at

that, she practically dragged Mrs. Ward

changed the subject

pink. "No, someone gave me

boyfriend?" Sylvia