Landscaping so immaculate, it felt unnatural. The hedges were trimmed with near robotic precision, the grass was healthy green and perfectly even, and the rows of flowers framed every edge and pathway. It was beautiful in a terrifying way, demanding respect, intolerant of mistakes.

Classic architecture and warm colorings spoke to the old but inspired design. Dark wood lined everything, and it was all comprised of leather or true velvet. Each room I came into watched me, judged my every movement.

Augustus Vaughn knew style and oozed with it.

I bet he had his own swagger, too.

I tried to focus on the intricate details of decor to steady myself and familiarize myself with my surroundings, but this wasn’t a house or even a mansion. This was a fortress. A statement.

“Welcome, Miss Montgomery. Shall I take your coat?” A man at the door opened and ushered me in, leading me through the foyer.

I may as well cooperate. “Sure, thank you.” I plastered a sickly-sweet smile to my lips, hoping to feign niceties.

“Yes, right this way. The Vaughn men shall be waiting for you inside.”

“...Men?”

“Yes,” he smiled, gesturing to the staircase. “Augustus and his grandson, the heir to the empire. Now, allow me to escort you to the sitting room.”

Fuck.

Trying not to trip up the stairs, I gripped the railing to steady my entire body as I followed him up to my doom. I should have known Brent would be involved, but I let my naïveté get the better of me.

Everyone else was always a step ahead of me, leaving me to flounder and drown in the deep end.

“Hello, Miss Montgomery,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while. Please, sit.”

I bowed my head in a small greeting, giving the hint that I was cooperative and willing to listen. Just as I was told. Why none of my men were here with me was frustrating. I only had my one lone security guard on standby a hallway away.

Feeling disadvantaged, I took the chair he gestured to. It was terribly close to Brent. His gaze flickered over my entire body, and I tried to cool myself down as the heat rose to my neck. The last I’d seen him I was semi-drunk and ready to strip my clothes off for him again.

And again.

“It’s my pleasure to meet with you, Mr. Vaughn.”

“Oh please,” he scoffed. “Call me Augustus. I remember when you were just a mere babe clinging to your mother. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman and let me extend my condolences for the passing of your mother.”

Grief crept into my chest again. So many times I’ve heard condolences for my mother who’d gone five years ago. “Thank you, Augustus.” I mustered a small smile, hand going to my chest to grip my heart.