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At that, Ethan takes a full step back and they exchange yet another unreadable look but it’s evident that my young age has rattled them. Good, I hope it bothers them that they’re being inappropriate towards a girl who’s barely legal.
“Mrs. King made it very clear that I am not to get involved with either of you.” I can’t seem to stop talking at this point. “She also made it clear that you know how to behave around the staff, which is obviously a lie.”
A grin greets Cooper’s lips. “We’ve never had a staff member look like you before, let alone one that’s living with us.”
“Alone,” Ethan adds.
“Camilla’s here too,” I squeak.
He shakes his head. “Camilla doesn’t live here.” He assesses me like I have the answers written all over my face, then he turns to his brother. “He’s up to something.”
Cooper tilts his head, pondering, before shaking it. “It’s not like dad to be so cruel. I think this is her doing.”
So cruel? A little stab at my heart lets me know I’ve got to get out of here. “Are we done here?” I interrupt their cryptic conversation. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
Two sets of devastating eyes cut to mine. Ethan’s are blue as the tumultuous sea and Cooper’s are so dark they shadow all emotion. Both I could get lost in–––I’m in big trouble.
“Our father’s reputation precedes us,” Ethan says. “Don’t pretend you don’t know who he is. Everyone knows the billionaire media mogul Conrad King, same as everyone knows the King family is akin to American royalty.”
Ice runs through my veins, zapping any heat that was there before.
“American royalty? More like royal dicks.”
Cooper smirks. “That too.”
I have to fight to roll my eyes. “Well, guess what? I’m not everyone. And I don’t know much about your father, same as I don’t know much about you two, or your family. And most importantly? You don’t know shit about me.”
Ethan grins like the devil himself. “Don’t worry, Ardie. That will change soon enough.”
Four
Over the next week, the twins manage to leave me alone, which is great, considering I feel like they declared war on me, but also not great, because I’m restlessly waiting for an attack.
It’s morning and Bree is here again, and like the other two times she’s spent the night with Cooper, she pads down to the kitchen to order her coffee.
I just so happen to be taking a break, sitting at the bar and chatting with Camilla as she slices fancy cheeses for a charcuterie board, the condensation from my drink cooling my hands. It’s an iced caramel latte that I’ve perfected since Camilla took pity on me and showed me how to use the espresso machine.
Bree slides into the barstool next to mine as Camilla gets started on her drink order. “What about breakfast?” Bree asks Camilla, gazing around the kitchen with appraising eyes.
Hmm . . . I remember Bree saying she doesn’t usually eat breakfast and now she’s asking for it like it should be expected. This annoys me, but Camilla takes it all in stride, her feathers not the least bit ruffled.
“Cooper and Ethan rarely want breakfast so I don’t have anything planned for today, but I can make you something if you’d like. How about an omelet?”
I sit up taller and can’t help but smile as I watch the older woman. Apart from her day off, Camilla has made me breakfast every morning since I’ve arrived. Maybe feeding me breakfast is in her contract or maybe she actually cares about me. I’m starting to think it’s the latter.
“Egg whites only, extra spinach, red onion, tomatoes, and goat cheese if you have it,” Bree replies. Then she turns to me, her face propped up on her hand. “So, Ardie, what are you up to today?”
“It’s Arden.” I set down my drink and offer a careful smile. “Just doing my job.”
She nods like she gets it. “You’re a hard worker. I like that.”
“Thanks.” My guard is up, I don’t trust her, but I don’t think she’s out to get me either.
“Have you made any friends on the island yet? There’s a lot of really cool locals here and people who come to work for the summer too.”
“Nobody yet. Are you a local?”
She wiggles her eyebrows, leaning in close. “God, no, but they are fun.”
