Chapter 4 – Surrounded by Love

Rose sank into Tristan’s warm embrace, the solid heat of him wrapping around her like a shield while tears blurred her vision and soaked straight into the front of his expensive blazer.

The familiar press of his chest, the steady thump of his heart against her ear, and the faint scent of that cologne their mother had always reserved just for him hit her all at once.

She was the only one who truly understood how packed his schedule usually ran, so the questions tumbled through her mind in a rush.

How had he known she was here, and more importantly, how had he gotten inside at all?

She finally drew back, lifting her gaze until it locked with his. “Tris, I thought you’d be in Manhattan or California.”

Tristan had changed since the last time she’d seen him. His features looked sharper, more mature, the kind of handsomeness that had only deepened with time, yet that same familiar scent clung to him exactly as it always had, just like hers.

Their mother Cassie had made sure to keep that particular cologne exclusive to Tristan, the same way she guarded a special fragrance only for Rose. Some things never changed, no matter how many years slipped by.

“I was here on business when I got the news, and don’t worry. The asshole won’t be coming anytime soon.”

Warmth spread through her chest the second she looked at him. They had known each other since childhood, and Tristan had always treated her like something precious.

Just like her father and stepfather, he had doted on her without apology. Only their mother Cassie ever bothered bringing up discipline where Rose was concerned.

“I’m going to see Dad,” Rose wiped beneath her eyes, forcing the words out steady even as her voice threatened to waver.

Tristan gave a quick nod. “Let’s go.”

He took a step toward the door, then stopped and turned back, his jaw tightening as his eyes narrowed on her.

“You’ve been living with him when you aren’t married?” He regretted respecting her wishes and staying away for all these years.

The displeasure in his voice made Rose’s stomach twist tight. Hearing that tone from Tristan sat wrong in a way she couldn’t quite name.

“It’s not what you think.”

He didn’t push for more. His jaw flexed once, then he turned and headed for the door. Rose followed him out into the cool air.

The second they reached the driveway she looked around and frowned. No sign of Tristan’s car anywhere.

“How did you get here?”

A faint smile stretched his lips. “I have my ways, and I’ll drive.”

Rose narrowed her eyes at him, but Tristan offered nothing else.

The drive to the Jones mansion stayed quiet. Rose stared through the window most of the way, her thoughts tangled and heavy, the familiar weight of everything pressing down until the moment they pulled up and she spotted Aunt Giselle.

Some of the tightness in her chest finally eased.

“Rose!”

Giselle rose from her seat and hurried across the room, wrapping her arms around Rose before she could take another step, and that was all it took.

Rose buried her face against Giselle’s shoulder for a moment, breathing in the warm, familiar scent of her perfume while she fought to keep herself from falling apart all over again.

Giselle had always been like a mother to her, even though she was still technically her father’s fiancée.

Rose had always gotten along well with Giselle’s son Miles too, the one currently running her supermarkets. The warmth of the house, the familiar faces, the solid sense of safety wrapping around her only made everything that had happened feel more humiliating.

Rose pulled back, her eyes already stinging again. “Can you believe it?” Her voice cracked, thick with disbelief. “He wanted to set me up with a man and have the video played during our wedding.”

Tristan’s expression darkened on the spot. “Excuse me?”

Rose barely had time to react before another voice, colder, sharper, far more dangerous, cut through the room. “Is he insane?”

Her father, Frederick Roth. Rose turned toward him, and the second she saw his face every last bit of strength she’d been clinging to vanished.

She moved straight into his arms. Frederick opened them without hesitation and pulled her in, wrapping her in that solid, protective hold that had always meant safety.

Over the years the biggest arguments Frederick had ever had with his ex-wife Cassie had centered on how much he spoiled Rose.

Right now, looking at his daughter with tears still shining in her eyes, he clearly didn’t give a damn what Cassie thought about it.

“Uncle Fred, let me handle it.” Tristan’s voice carried a seriousness that made Rose look up at once.

She pulled away from her father and wiped at her tears. The sight of them hurt both men. All her life Rose had been surrounded by love, peace, joy, and laughter, pampered and protected by the people who loved her most.

As far as either of them could remember, this was the first time they had ever seen her cry like this, and neither of them was taking it well.

“Dad, Tristan, I have my ways, and I don’t want either of you interfering.” Rose looked from one man to the other, trying to make them understand how serious she was.

“Tris, all I want is for you to stop Mom or Daddy Frank from coming to my graduation. Cruz doesn’t know about my relationship with you guys, so he thinks all I have is Dad.”

Both men understood exactly why she was asking but that didn’t mean Tristan liked it.

“I can stop the rest, but I’m attending your graduation, and you won’t stop me.”

Rose pressed her fingers against her temple. A headache was already starting to throb behind her eyes. Tristan’s presence would ruin everything.

“Tris…”

Her phone suddenly began to ring. Everyone’s attention snapped toward the sound.

Rose pulled it out, and the moment she saw the caller ID her expression tightened hard.

“It’s him.”

“Answer it!” Frederick’s voice roared through the room.