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)
“We would never do that,” Liam replied stiffly.
“You’re asking for a lot of trust,” Regent said.
“I trust them. Doesn’t that say a lot?” she asked.
“If they’re here, then you can keep an eye on them better,” Victor pointed out.
Liam scowled. “We’re not fucking teenagers driven by hormones.”
Regent grunted, not looking convinced.
“She’s different, changing,” Victor said to Regent. “She stepped out of the house on her own today. I think you should give them a chance.”
“Lottie is ours,” Liam growled. He’d had enough of this. They didn’t need fucking permission. But Nico put his hand on his arm warningly, while Victor sent him a glare.
Right. Fuck. He was trying to help.
“I just want to do what’s best for you, darling.”
“Then you’ll let them stay. You raised me to be smart and take what I wanted. I’m who I am because of you. You’re more of a parent to me than anyone. I adore you. Please be okay with this.”
Because she was going to do it anyway.
The words were unsaid but he saw Regent acknowledge them in his head.
“Fine. You can stay.” Regent scowled at them. “But fucking hurt her, either of you and . . .”
“We’re fish food, got it,” Nico said, but there was a smile dancing on his lips, and he stood, opening his arms. Lottie rose and rushed into them. He spun her in his arms while she giggled.
Liam watched Regent and Victor as she laughed. Their faces displayed their shock and he thought for a moment, he caught a glimpse of tears in Regent’s eyes. But he must have imagined that because the other man gave him a stern look as he stood.
“Bed time,” Regent ordered. “Separate beds.”
Liam just smiled. Oh, Regent could dictate all he liked. But Lottie had just told them all that she loved them and was theirs.
And nobody got between Liam and those that belonged to him.
“Come, baby. We’ll walk you to your room.” Liam held out a hand to her.
“Actually, I’d like a word,” Regent said smoothly.
“I’ll come back after I’ve put Lottie to bed.”
Lottie said a quiet good night to both of her brothers before Liam swept her out the room. They moved up the stairs toward her bedroom. Once in her room, Nico quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her to him, kissing her.
“Fuck yes, pretty girl. God, I love you.”
Liam loved seeing them together. His dick hardened, his balls tightening. He was gonna need some release once he got Nico back to their room.
“I love you too, Nico. I don’t know how I could be without you now. The two of you, you’re everything.” Then she turned to Liam. “I love you.”
“I know.”
Both Nico and Lottie rolled their eyes at him. His brats.
“Liam doesn’t like to say it much. He thinks actions speak louder than words.”
“I can understand that,” Lottie said. There was a mix of relief and sadness on her face.
“You okay, baby girl? Upset with me for not telling you? If you are, don’t blame Nico. He wanted to tell you earlier.”
“Would you have told me? Eventually?”
“Of course. I admit I was waiting until you trusted us more. I know I should have told you all right away, but I didn’t see how it could help. And I was still protecting the worm. He’s an asshole, but he’s also my brother.”
“I get it. I do. I just can’t believe he was the reason I was taken.”
“He’s gone. He won’t be back.” Liam pulled her close, hugging her. He could sense her exhaustion. It called to him, pushing him to take care of her.
“That went better than I thought it would,” she said leaning back with a grin.
“Well, we aren’t fish bait yet,” Nico joked.
“I still have to go down there,” Liam reminded them.
Lottie worried at her lip. “They won’t hurt you.”
“Hey, stop.” Liam drew her lip from between her teeth. “You’re not to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re not invincible, Liam.”
“He thinks he is,” Nico said.
“I’m not the one who spent most of his twenties trying to kill himself.”
“I didn’t try to kill myself. And it wasn’t most of my twenties. Just the first few years.”
“Until you met me.”
“Yeah, and then you stopped all the fun.”
“I stopped you from risking yourself. You had a death wish. Do you have that any longer?”
“No, Liam.”
“Will you be putting yourself in dangerous situations again?” Liam pressed.
“No, Liam.”
Lottie watched them, eyes wide. But he saw the flush of arousal in her face.
“That’s my good boy.” Liam cupped the side of his face. “I’m going to need you to suck me off when we get back to our room.”
“Yes, Liam.”
“No fair, I want to see that.” She pouted.
“Do you?” Liam grinned at her. “Well, we’ll have to see what we can do. Although I don’t think here is the best place with your brothers’ rooms just down the hall.”