Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Schooling her face, she smiled up at Regent, sliding her hand around his arm. If there was something she knew, it was that Regent had a tough time denying her anything. Not that she ever asked for much. But she’d pretty much always gotten whatever she wanted.
Was she spoiled?
Yep, she was.
“I’m sure you didn’t mean that the way it sounded, right?” she said to her oldest brother. “Liam has more business to attend to, doesn’t he?”
“I’ve thought of a way to help with your problem, but if you’re not interested . . .” Liam flicked some imaginary lint off his shirt. He was wearing a white shirt with black pants. He looked as put together as always. Where Nico looked delightfully rumpled
“See?” she said. “He and Nico might as well stay here. It’s no bother. Kind of nice to have company.”
Regent scowled. “You want their company?”
“Nico really helped me yesterday.” She knew that Regent would get the subtle reminder. They owed Nico a debt. Letting him and Liam stay would be a way to repay that debt.
“We’ll talk about this soon,” Regent said to Liam.
Liam nodded, looking unconcerned.
Regent’s phone rang and he pulled it out, swearing. “It’s Victor.”
“It is? Is he coming home?” Her second oldest brother was the quietest of all of them. But he was also a good listener and had a big heart. Something most people didn’t realize since he was built like a tank. Similar to Liam. Maybe that’s why he didn’t scare her as much as he likely should.
“I need to take this, darling. Why don’t you go rest?”
She smothered a sigh. Seriously?
“Didn’t she come in for breakfast?” Nico asked hastily before Liam could speak.
Liam had his bright blue gaze fixed on Regent. She could just imagine what he’d been about to say.
“You were coming in for breakfast?” Regent asked as his phone stopped ringing. He frowned down at it.
“Uh, yes, I was feeling a bit hungry,” she lied.
“Really?” He looked so shocked and happy that her stomach twisted in sorrow. Apparently, her coming to eat was a cause for celebration.
She felt terrible.
His phone started ringing again.
“Go! Say hi to Vicky for me. Give him kisses.” She grinned as Regent just gave her the look. As if he wouldn’t be lowering himself to such a level where he gave kisses to anyone. She knew that would rile him up.
“Alice can bring you your meal upstairs,” he said.
“Regent!” she scolded. “I’m fine eating here with Liam and Nico.”
“We don’t have cooties,” Liam goaded.
Regent opened his mouth, but his phone started ringing again, interrupting him. With a groan, he pointed at Liam.
“I’ll talk to you after breakfast.” He slammed the door shut and she jumped.
“You okay, pretty girl?” Nico asked gently.
“Um, yes. I think so. I’ve never seen Regent slam a door before. He’s upset with me.”
“He’s upset with me,” Liam countered. “Not you.”
She bit at her lip. It didn’t feel like that. It felt like she was going against his wishes. “Regent has always taken care of me. I don’t want to make him mad.”
“Hey, look at me.” Nico suddenly appeared in front of her, cupping her chin and raising her face. “There is no way you could ever make him mad. He adores and protects you, as any big brother should. But that shouldn’t stop you from having a life of your own. You’re allowed to be happy.”
“I know that.” She flushed. “I’m not saying Regent would stop me from being happy.”
“If he’s smothering you, dictating to you, then he’s not giving you a chance to live,” Liam told her from where he still sat at the end of the dining table.
“Oh, you mean like you dictated to me when you told me if I didn’t come down to breakfast that you’d carry me down?” She turned, Nico’s hand falling from her chin as she put her hand on her hip and glared at him.
Liam leaned back in his chair, looking like a King surveying his kingdom. She wished she had an ounce of his confidence. He didn’t seem worried at all about Regent, or all the obstacles between them.
Liam simply saw a problem then decided how to tackle it. Yeah, she wished she was more like that.
You could be. You could be brave for once. Just try.
“That’s different.”
“Why? Because it’s you dictating to me rather than Regent?” she challenged.
“Exactly. I like you like this.”
“Like what?” she asked carefully.
“Full of sass. Standing up to me. This is how you should be all the time.”
“Oh, you like someone who fights with you?”
“It’s foreplay to him,” Nico told her with a grin. “If you wanted to turn him off, you should have been all meek and agreeable.”
“Great. You could have given me this advice earlier,” she grumbled.
“Why? I don’t want him turned off. I want you with us.” Nico wrapped an arm around her waist, laying a kiss on the top of her head. As he did that, the door opened and one of the maids walked in.