The Enforcer's Sister

Chapter Three: Adele - Playing His Nurse

Lowering my eyes to the coffee table, I couldn't help but marvel at the extravagant spread of breakfast delicacies before me. Archer's opulent lifestyle was on full display, and his staff had gone above and beyond to create this sumptuous feast.

The coffee table was elegantly draped with a crisp white tablecloth, enhancing the beauty of the fine porcelain plates and delicate silverware that sparkled under the morning light, exuding an air of sophistication.

The array of freshly baked pastries immediately caught my attention. Flaky croissants with golden, buttery layers called out to me, accompanied by pillowy muffins bursting with juicy berries. The inviting aroma filled the room, making my taste buds dance with anticipation.

Beside the pastries lay an assortment of artisanal jams and spreads. Vibrant jars of strawberry, blueberry, and apricot preserves lined up neatly, their jewel-like hues promising delightful bursts of flavor. I couldn't resist the temptation of the creamy jar of rich chocolate hazelnut spread, inviting me to indulge in a moment of pure decadence.

Adjacent to the sweet offerings, a colorful array of freshly cut fruit adorned the bowls. Plump, juicy strawberries, tantalizingly sweet mango chunks, and a medley of other berries and citrus slices beckoned, making my mouth water.

Another tray presented a selection of artisanal cheeses and cured meats. Soft, creamy brie and tangy goat cheese nestled alongside slices of prosciutto and salami, promising a delightful savory contrast to the sweet treats.

As Archer poured steaming cups of freshly brewed coffee from a sleek silver coffee pot for me, the rich aroma enveloped the room, mingling with the subtle fragrance of assorted teas in elegant porcelain teacups.

"I had breakfast with Mark and Chad back at the hotel," I said, trying to ease the tense atmosphere and break the uncomfortable silence.

"Hmm... you shouldn't be having breakfast with Chad," Archer replied in a deep, almost whispering voice that sent thrilling shivers down my spine, igniting an inexplicable excitement within me.

"W - why not?" I asked, puzzled.

His intense hazel gaze locked onto mine, momentarily arresting my very soul. "He is one of the staff," he added, his eyes lingering on my face. 

Though expressionless, there was something intriguingly different about him from a moment before that made me shake my head, as if trying to clear the spell he seemed to cast on me. My voice carried a hint of displeasure as I retorted, "That isn't very nice." I thought I saw a subtle twitch of his lips, but it happened so fast that I began to doubt myself. 'Adele, keep your emotions in check!' I silently admonished.

"Why are you having breakfast with me then?" I reached for a flaky croissant, savoring its delicate balance of buttery richness and crisp layers.

His gaze remained unwavering as he answered, "You are not Chad, Adele..." The way he uttered my name had an alluring quality, infusing it with a sense of sweetness and irresistible charm. I forced myself to continue eating, chewing slowly, and accidentally darted out my tongue to lick my bottom lip. His eyes darkened, zeroing in on the act, intensifying the charged atmosphere between us.

"I am supposedly hired help too," I said in a sultry, low voice, trying to regain my composure. But his eyes continued to hold mine, and my heart skipped a beat.

"But it is pretend, Miss Rutherford, isn't it?" he rasped. I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts and suppress the emotions stirring inside me.

"Hmm..." Attempting to clear my throat and swallow simultaneously, I struggled to regain control of my emotions. In a desperate attempt to halt his gaze, which seemed to regard me as if I were a forbidden fruit, radiating with a mixture of longing, curiosity, and a hint of trepidation, I changed the subject. "How are you doing... with your wounds?"

"I'm alive, thanks to you."

"Well, I suppose we are even now. You saved me too," I said with a nervous laugh, relieved to have diverted the conversation momentarily.

"We will be even when the person who ordered the hit is no longer a problem," he replied, his words leaving me with a flurry of questions. Why would someone want him dead? And what did he mean by "no longer a problem"? My mind was flooded with vivid images of him swiftly taking down my assailant, and a jolt of fear mixed with intrigue surged through me, and I instinctively swallowed hard. Despite knowing deep down that he was out of my league, an undeniable attraction had taken hold of me, though I would never openly admit it.

Unwanted memories from my childhood assailed me, and I clenched my teeth in frustration. The past was filled with blurred details, but one thing was clear – my mother's poor judgment in men, which led to disastrous consequences. I couldn't afford to have such terrible luck myself. So, as much as I wished for something more with Archer Donovan, I knew deep down that he and his family were trouble. My sole focus needed to be on the reason I was here, and I had to wait it out. Mark's warning to keep a low profile and refrain from meddling echoed in my mind. Archer and his family were far from ordinary, and his sister's recent display had only reinforced that notion.

"You say that like it's a normal thing," I remarked, almost biting my tongue. 'Adele, stay out of it!' I silently scolded myself.

"For me, yes, it is. But they came after you..." His words hung in the air as our eyes locked once again. In that very moment, he made me feel like he would go to any lengths to protect me, and my heart tightened in a strange way.

"Finish your food, Adele. I have meetings to attend, and since I can't let water near my wounds, you would have to sponge bathe me," he said casually as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. My throat felt constricted, and I broke into a fit of coughs.

"What?" I croaked as soon as I could speak again, disbelief and surprise evident in my voice.

"You are supposedly my nurse, Miss Rutherford. And as we are determined to make everyone believe that, it would seem strange to ask my doctor to send someone else," he explained, his demeanor unaffected as he strolled toward the bathroom at the far end of the expansive space. I watched him go, my hands trembling as I reached for my coffee.

"Dear Lord," I muttered under my breath, my mind racing with a mixture of fear, intrigue, and undeniable attraction.

“Adele?” he called from the bathroom threshold, “Don't keep me waiting.”