Surely she didn't believe he wouldn't find out. And since it was family--such as family was these days--Ethan had of course attended the Challenge and watched as Eileen proved her mettle. He naturally noted the smooth way her small hands held the blades, the firm concentration across her young face, and he even spied something even more hauntingly familiar emerge when Somma barked in pain from that particular strike.
Like recognized like, after all.
Unfortunately, Ethan couldn't remain and offer the customary congratulations; his office beckoned at all bloody hours of the blasted day. But the following morning, he deliberately left his door open and made a point to be comfortably ensconced behind his desk updating paperwork he'd been putting off for weeks...just in case a certain visitor might decide to stop by for a bit.
room for one more?
Like recognized like, after all.
Unfortunately, Ethan couldn't remain and offer the customary congratulations; his office beckoned at all bloody hours of the blasted day. But the following morning, he deliberately left his door open and made a point to be comfortably ensconced behind his desk updating paperwork he'd been putting off for weeks...just in case a certain visitor might decide to stop by for a bit.