Jeremy grumbles, “Did you have to hit me so hard?”
I chuckle. This is our family. It’s like a circus, especially with the twins.
Jessica walks into the study. “Great! You’re all here.”
Her chest heaves, like she’s out of breath. Her clear blue eyes, lighter than the clearest blue sky, appear bloodshot from crying. Her pale blonde hair, a bit disheveled, hangs to her waist. I swear her hair was a darker blonde this morning. She wears baggy gray sweatpants with a sports bra, and she pulls on a flannel shirt. My eyes naturally drift to her taut abs and full breasts.
My dick twitches, and I long to take her into my arms and fucking kiss her. I want to hold her and reassure her that she can do this. I want to make it clear that I will be here for her in any way she will let me.
She leaves the flannel unbuttoned and collects her long hair from underneath the collar. Maybe it’s good that my brothers, Jessica, and I do not share a mind-link. I shift in my seat. Fuck, this isn’t the time.
I rub my thumb over my forehead, hiding my reaction. Wait. Those aremyclothes. They’re from my stash in the barn for when I shift.
When I shift… I sit up straighter in my chair. “You shifted?”
The commotion stops. and everyone freezes. She looks at me for the first time since she entered the room, and a flash of annoyance crosses her face. “Of course I did. It was the only way to get here in minutes, instead of hours.”
My father prods, “Jessica, you know that?—”
She lifts her hand. “I know. I know. I was careful. No one saw me.”
He sets his phone on his desk and then announces, “Anders is on his way.”
Jessica rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to talk to him right now.”
Justin stands at her side and wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Can’t say that I blame you, but he just might have a reasonable explanation for this.”
Jealousy twinges up my spine. I want to be the one to comfort her, to wrap my arms around her.
Jessica turns to my father. Hurt and unshed tears shine in her eyes. She opens her mouth to speak but she closes it again. Cocking her head, she swivels toward the door just as Joe, our butler, appears.
“I’m sorry for the interruption, sir, but we have unexpected visitors.”
Jessica’s eyes widen. “It’s the second territory Alpha and his Beta.”
Fuck. She even has a connection with our staff. What the hell? A growl builds in my throat, and I run a hand through my hair.
My father stands up behind his desk. “Dammit. I told them in my last email that we would meet when we were available!”
“Sir, the Alpha and his Beta refuse to be turned away and insist they speak to you posthaste.” Joe’s face remains expressionless as he awaits further instruction.
My mother steps closer to Jessica. “Joe, bring them into the drawing room.” She cups Jessica’s face in her hands. “We’ll go upstairs and change into something more appropriate for a meeting.”
Jessica shakes her head. “He doesn’t want to meet with me. He wants a meeting with the Alpha King to override my decision to refuse aid. Beta DuPont refuses to accept my role among the guards. He won’t stop until he and his son get their way.”
“That’s bullshit!” Jeremy snaps. “You’re a royal. You were given the role to oversee guard business by our father and Anders. Whatever you decide, he can’t rebuke that. You ultimately have the final say.”
She looks at me then, hitting me full force with the turmoil of emotions in her eyes. She’s still all over the place. I don’t need to hear her thoughts to know she’s conflicted right now. I swell with pride that she turned to me for guidance and yet sad because it’s only because she feels stuck.
Softly, I offer, “Go get changed. Dad and I can buy some time before you join us.”
Glancing at her tiny bare feet, she admits, “I can’t do this right now. It’s too much all at once.”
I stand from my chair and approach her. Lifting her chin with my finger, I stare into her beautiful clear blue eyes. “Youcando this. I’ve seen you tear lesser men apart in meetings and on the field on a good day. I would hate to see what you do to an asshole on a bad one.”
Her eyes search mine. My heart aches because she searches for sincerity. Can’t she see how much I adore her? I smile.
She emits a slow breath and nods.
