Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Or get stabbed in the hand with a fork . . . like Keir was doing to his brother.
Although his father might have approved of that action.
“Keir, Ace,” Jardin said in a low voice. “Do I need to separate the two of you?”
“No,” Keir said. “As long as Ace stops stealing my food.”
“But I want another bread roll,” Ace said.
“I’m sure Gerald has some more in the kitchen,” Regent told him. “But you do need to leave room for dessert. Gracen baked.”
Gracen blushed as everyone cheered. She leaned into Victor, who stared down at her, his hard face softening. Then she looked over at Regent. “You’re not going to be lonely, are you?” Concern filled her face. “We could stay.”
He smiled at her. He had a soft spot for her. For all the women in his family, really.
They were his.
And he’d protect them to the death. As would his brothers.
“I’m going to be fine. Thank you for your concern. There’s no need for you to stay. Your new house will be ready in a couple of weeks for you to move into.”
Maxim and Aston had just moved into a house a few blocks away. And while Gracen and Victor had built a big house out of the city, they’d also decided to buy a house a few doors down from Maxim.
“And it’s not like you’re going far,” he added.
“He’s probably grateful for the peace and quiet,” Maxim said with a grin. He pointed to Aston. “This one can be really noisy.”
“Hey! I am not!” Aston slapped Maxim on the arm. “Rude.”
“Any of you are welcome here whenever you want,” Regent told them.
“At least you’ll be able to walk around in your undies,” Ace said.
“Ace, you can’t say undies at the table!” Thea chided.
“Oh. Sorry. Boxers.”
“You think I want to walk around in my boxers?” Regent asked, amused.
“Yeah, or you could run around naked. But what if Gerald saw your diddle. That would be embarrassing,” Ace told him. “If I had this house all to myself, though, I would run around naked and slide down the banister.”
“Ew,” Keir said. “Then you’d have to clean it because your bare butt would’ve touched it.”
“Nuh-uh, I’d clean my butt first.”
Thea looked up at the ceiling. “Lord. Why me?”
“She says that a lot,” Ace told Aston. “But God doesn’t usually answer her.”
“Good to know,” Aston said, her lips twitching.
After lunch, Regent retreated into his study for a moment. He loved having his family around him. It was the only time this house felt warm and inviting rather than like a cold mausoleum.
He was missing one family member, though.
His baby sister.
“Heard from Lottie lately?” Victor asked as he walked into the study. Maxim and Jardin were right behind him.
“She called earlier.” He poured himself a drink.
“Is she coming for your birthday?” Maxim asked.
His birthday wasn’t for another few months.
“She doesn’t need to come for my birthday. Nobody is celebrating my birthday.”
“Uh-huh, sure.” Jardin nodded, helping himself to a Scotch.
“No birthday celebrations.” Regent glared at them all. Since when didn’t they listen to what he said?
Oh, he knew since when. Since they all met their women. They were a bad influence.
Wait . . . that was something his father might say.
Then he’d tell Regent he shouldn’t let himself fall for a woman like his brothers had. That it would only weaken him. Make him vulnerable.
Something Laurent Malone had never been. He hadn’t loved his wife or kids. Not even Regent. Although if he’d cared for any of them, it was him.
Of course, his form of caring had been terrifying, cold, and calculating.
Regent often thought his brothers and sister were better off. His father might have neglected them, but at least they’d all managed to find happiness and love.
That wasn’t in the cards for him. He’d been raised to be cold. Emotionless.
Except you’re not, are you? You love the people in this house.
Lottie.
Yeah, he loved her most of all.
“Earth to Regent?” Maxim said, clapping his hands. “You paying attention, bro? Or are you away with the fairies?”
“What? What is it?” he asked.
“I’ve heard this happens when men get older. They lose their hearing and their faculties,” Maxim joked.
Regent quickly slapped the back of his head.
“Hey!”
“Respect your elders,” he told his youngest brother. “And I’ve got more important things to worry about than my birthday.”
“It’s a big one, though,” Jardin said.
“Will all of you listen to yourselves? It’s a birthday.”
“You’re turning forty. You should really start procreating. Your sperm are probably deteriorating,” Maxim told him.
“My sperm are just fine,” he said dryly. “Thank you for your concern.”
“Hey, you know me. Just want to show you that I care.”
“You weren’t spanked enough as a kid,” he muttered.
“I wasn’t spanked at all. Someone would have to notice I was alive to do that. Mind you, it could have been worse. I could have had to spend time with that asshole like you had to.”