Jules, however, has turned deathly pale.‘No.’
‘Silly boy,’ Alistair murmurs, tilting his head.‘Did you imagine yourself indispensable to me?Such delusions are unbecoming of our kind.’He glances toward the East Wing.‘Do you have any idea what it costs to sustain your little world in there?The money, the time, the attention?It would underwrite companies, Julian.Cities.Small countries.You are not merely spoiled.You are obscenely overindulged, and I myself must manually correct you.’
‘Father, I’m sorry,’ Jules says, desperately trying to gain his attention.‘Please.You’re right, I was doing it f-for attention.I never thought… I just wanted the bodyguard to get in trouble.I wanted him to—’
‘Enough!’
It silences Jules as if cutting his vocal cords.
Alistair looks at Lachlan.
‘I expected better of you.His management does not only extend to his safety as you are well aware.My son has ridden roughshod over you,’ he tells Lachlan, moving closer, ‘and you have obliged him.’
Lachlan doesn’t react.Says nothing.
Alistair returns to his desk.
‘I will decide appropriate punishments later.For now, get out of my sight.’
?
The whole way back to the East Wing, Jules throws nervous looks at Lachlan.When they’re finally alone in his bedroom, he wheels around so fast Lachlan almost stumbles backwards.
‘You have to make him change his mind.’
Lachlan gives him a very flat look.‘No one onearthmakes your father change his mind, Jules.’
‘You can.He likes you.Go back, please.Show him you can punish me, hit me, hurt me, I don’t care.Just—’
‘Why did you do it?’Lachlan asks, shaking his head.
Jules’ cheeks fill with red.‘I didn’t know he’d dothat!’
‘Why risk it at all?For fuck’s sake, I know you’re unhappy and I know you hate me, but things were better, weren’t they?’
‘I just…’ Jules’ composure buckles.His honey-coloured eyes fill with tears.‘I wanted… oh God, I didn’t mean for him to take up residence here!It’s bad enough when he stays for a few days!He’ll host parties and I’ll have to go to every single one!Mimi will have to go.Please.’He grabs Lachlan’s arm.‘Please,do something.’
Lachlan’s never seen him so scared.
‘If I could, then I would, but I can’t.He’s furious with me.I’ll be lucky not to end up in cinders with my predecessors,’ he mutters darkly, trying to think but there’s nothing he can do, nothing to be done.
‘What does that mean?’
Lachlan ignores him, a new dread filling every formerly sunny crevice.Mimi willhateit.Two months at least.
Two full months.
He’s so angry with Jules, he could smack him, but he won’t.
‘This is gonna be hell.’
‘I never thought he’d do that!He hates being here.’Jules sounds so young.‘I’ll do anything you say.Please,Lachlan.’
‘Oh, I’m “Lachlan” now, am I?’
‘You’re the only one he likes.’
‘He had me whipped raw.He doesn’tlike meand even if he did, I’m staff.Just tell me why you did it.’
