Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I have never felt such gut-wrenching pain in my life until his lips settle where I begged them not to.
31
Luxury
* * *
The day before Valentine’s, I’m cuddled into a chair with a knitted blanket enveloping me. The words of Momma’s diary seem to melt off the page as I struggle to pay attention.
A familiar voice travels down the hall, and I pop out of the seat, leaving the discarded journal.
I dart over the herringbone floors to the front doors where Victor’s little brother, Graham, is standing outside, telling a ridiculously outrageous story to Victor. A light-skinned woman is tucked under his arm. Her features are big, bold, and sexy as if she is of African descent. Yet, her hair is a sun-drenched gold, making me think of the Aboriginal people I learned about in Anthropology 101.
“No, Graham, that is so not true!” Her Australian tone rings with laughter.
“It is,” Graham assures, then sees me, “Oh, Luxury, there you are. Victor and Alba think I’m off my chump, but you’ll believe me when I tell you how we met.”
“Chump?” I ask.
He pulls me into a hug. “They say I’m crazy, but I did save Alba from an alligator.”
“How’d you save me from my own pet?” Alba quips, her arms swooping around me in an equally bubbly hug.
“You all are happy to see each other,” Victor says nonchalantly.
“Shall I mention how Graham and I bonded the last time you discarded us like day-old meat? Does the rooftop nightclub in New York ring a bell?” I cock an eyebrow.
Graham gives a devilish grin, glance coasting from me to his date. “I’m in love with two women.”
Alba snorts. “How many times has he said that?”
“This is the first time, really,” Graham replies. “But Luxury makes it hard not to love her.”
“Not that I require self-validation, but those twins would have got the better of both of you had I not intervened,” Victor retorts.
“Oh! The Siamese Twins?” Alba pipes up.
“Little brother,” Victor grits.
I murmur, “Twins?” Graham’s eyes twinkle with mischief.
“There were two, Luxury,” Graham corrects.
“The first one danced with Vic,” Alba adds on, “she got stuffed down the trash chute. The second one met you in the alley. What happened to her, Victor?”
“Yes, what happened?” My arms fold over. Although I try to hide it, I finally understand how that bitch was in two places at once. Dancing with Vic then beckoning me down a dark alleyway.
In a sharp, grave tone, Victor says, “The same thing that’s literally about to happen to my baby brother.”
“First, Alba’s my lady. I had to share your deviant hobby. She’s the right to know, Victor. Second, she’s my lady,” he says eagerly. While she pretends to shy away from his affections, the bubbly couple move around the courtyard. I don’t know if they’re tickling or what, but there sure is a hell of a lot of touching going on.
My hip smacks against Victor’s side. “He tells her everything.”
“How are you so certain that it’s all his own business and not mine that the chap’s divulged, huh?”
Smiling at the two, I softly pinch Victor’s arm when it slides around my shoulder.
“Now, for this impromptu visit,” Victor begins as the jumping beans simmer before us.
“Yes, isn’t it a pleasant surprise.” I smile, testing him to say otherwise.
As we start into the house, I chat with Alba, allowing the brothers space to get reacquainted. I hear Graham whine about being hungry, so we all end up in the kitchen, clearing out the staff and getting to work.
Alba lists off the ingredients she needs for baked bannock, and we each dig around the pantry or fridge to get them. All of us but Victor, who has claimed the stool on the opposite side of the expansive island.
“Mother should be arriving soon.” Graham uncaps four beers as we cook. He notices the worry in my eyes. “You'll love her, Luxury.”
“Did you consider visiting Somerhaven?” Victor asks with a bite in his tone, fingers steepled together.
“Well, I . . .”
“You fear having all your mum’s attention, really?” Victor snorts. “Grow up, Graham. Your visits to England are infrequent at best.”
“Vic—” I try as he continues to elevate.
“No. Graham’s excelled at the art of obtaining his monthly allowance but never takes his arse home. Have a laugh with his own mother! Or does she laugh?”
His tone reeks of sarcasm.
The giggly, yellow aura glowing around us all fades to black.
“Vic, I’m sorry, mate. No, I’ve never seen Mum laugh, smile, or do anything of the sort, really. I just thought.” Graham takes a long pull of his beer. “Anytime you’re around, Mum’s happy.”
“Happy?” Victor’s sharp demeanor siphons all the air from the room. Alba stops rolling out the dough for her bannock. I place the knife down for the vegetable salad I was preparing.
“Princess Mary’s every expectation resides with you,” Graham huffs, running a hand over his hair.