As we walked in, I was fascinated to see an entire wall facing the door that was made entirely of glass and lit from within. When I exclaimed in amazement, Keion smiled.
It’s a salt-water aquarium, one of many that are interconnected throughout the house. My brother and I both love the sea.”
A voice came from the side. “And then I was injured and couldn’t go in the water for a while.”
I turned to look at the man who’d made that last remark, and he was standing just inside the door leading off the entry hall.
Keion smiled at him. “There you are. Kailar, this is my brother Alyxsander.” He gestured back at me. “Alyx, I’ve brought you Kailar.”
I almost did a double take, because he was just that good looking, with dark hair and sapphire blue eyes and a perfectly chiseled face. That face was every bit as handsome as his brother Keion’s, but he had some lines around his eyes and mouth that had been carved there by pain. I saw why as he came forward to meet us. He was leaning heavily on a handsome wooden cane. Its handle was shaped like the head of some kind of sea monster. He noticed my gaze and smiled ruefully.
“You like my cane? My brother carved it for me by hand.” He held up the head again. “This is called a Kraken. Frightening, isn’t it? My brother’s truly talented. I had a, uh, a water-skiing accident. They replaced the joint of my knee, but an infection set in, and well, I’m still recovering after a couple of operations to fix it.”
“I see. I’m so sorry.”
He nodded and I saw his eyes roaming over me. I wished again that I looked the way I used to. Not that I had ever been as gorgeous as he was, but at least I didn’t used to be a frail, white-haired freak. I pushed my hair behind one ear, wishing I’d taken the time to tie it back that morning and feeling nervous as he continued to stare at me. Unnerved as he continued to look me up and down, I began to babble, and I realized that I was edging backward toward the door.
“Don’t worry about the hiring thing, sir. I know you must feel disappointed. I-uh-I tried to explain to your brother that I wasn’t anything you needed before we came out here, but he’s very kind, and he wanted me to at least meet you. Not that you’re not kind too—I mean, I’m sure you are. But I can’t really be any sort of assistant to you, sir. You see, I…”
“Call me Alyx, please.”
“I…what?”
“You called me ‘sir.’ I’d like it better if you called me Alyx.”
“Oh, well, okay. Alyx, then. Surely you see now that I’m not suitable for…”
“I totally disagree. I’m sorry to keep interrupting you, Kailar, but I think you’re perfect for my needs. How soon can you start?”
“What? Wait, I-I don’t even drive, and it’s a long way here from my house.”
“It’s a live-in position. You’d have a room right here, with all your meals provided, of course.”
“I would?” I could only imagine how much of a burden that would take off my stepmother. But…I was totally unsuited for this or any job in the shape I was in. I had only been kidding myself.
“No, no, I-I don’t think that would work. My health is bad, and I-I have a stepmother, you see. She relies on me.”
“You can go see her whenever you like—my driver will be at your disposal. And the salary I’m offering may help you both a bit.” He nodded at Keion. “Show him, Keion.”
Keion pulled a long envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Your first paycheck. In advance.”
I opened the envelope and saw a number that made me speechless. I just stared at it until I found my voice again.
“Is-is this for the whole year?”
He smiled gently, and it made him even more handsome. I wouldn’t have thought that possible. “Just for the month. What do you say, Kailar? Can you start right away?”
“But what is it you want me to do for you?” I said, a little too loud, I guess, but he had shocked me. There had to be a catch.
“I need an assistant in the pool for my therapy. Hydrotherapy.”
And there it was—the catch, the conundrum, the drawback, the fly in the fucking ointment. I stared at him, feeling sick. I need the money so badly, but how could I overcome my fears and get back in the water? Not to mention the fact that I was no kind of therapist. How was I supposed to help him? My breath started coming faster and faster, and I guess my distress must have shown on my face because he stepped over quickly to take my arm.
“Don’t worry, Kailar. It’s not a deep pool at all. Just up to your waist. And all you have to do is watch me. Like a spotter with weightlifting. You can just sit on the side of the pool at first, until you get used to it. The doctors don’t want me in the pool area alone—at least not for now. There’s not much to do, except be there and watch. I can get in and out on my own.” He stepped closer to me, then glanced over at Keion.