Page 42 of Secret Dynasty

“Just because you wasted most of your life being miserable doesn’t mean Evie has to, as well.” It was clear from Holden’s tone that he had some experience in the matter.

Spencer said nothing. A server came to clear the plates. Another delivered the second course. We all waited. Evie still hovering nervously near her mother. Caroline finished her second glass of wine. And Spencer and Holden remained locked in their never ending skirmish.

This was how it was going to be. When Caroline warned me about how things would change at Sparrow Court, I thought she was exaggerating to scare me. But it was worth more than I ever imagined. I couldn’t live caught between the brotherly rivalry, nor should Evie. I even felt sympathetic toward Caroline. Was that what she’d endured since she came to live here after her own marriage?

“Go, Evie,” I commanded in a clear, resolute voice. “Just make sure everyone knows when you have plans in the future, please.” I looked at Spencer. “Is there anything you would like to add?”

He seemed to struggle to unhinge his jaw. When he finally spoke, his voice was filled with barely filtered rage. “Don’t be late.”

“Okay,” Evie chirped. She bent and pecked her mother on the cheek before racing out of the room.

I couldn’t blame her for wanting to put as much space between herself and whatever might happen next. But Spencer didn’t explode. He simply picked up his fork and continued where he left off.

“As I was saying, I need you to meet me tomorrow.”

“Of course.” I swallowed, knowing there was no way I’d gotten off so easily. “What for?”

His mouth crooked up like he was savoring the news he was about to deliver. “To sign our prenuptial agreement.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

I went to bed alone that night, locking the door to my room. I needed space to think, but sitting amongst the unpacked boxes—the remnants of my former life—I was only reminded of how terribly things had gone wrong. I was doomed to live my life in this hellish house caught between a man who wanted to possess me and one who wanted to love me. I couldn’t have one without the other, which left me with the distinct feeling of having neither.

My thoughts turned to the night we shared together. Even then, they had sought to lay claim to me, but it was the closest I’d ever come to seeing them unified. Is that what it would take? Is that why Spencer had demanded we live under the same roof? And if it came to going to bed with them to contain their rivalry, would I?

A gush of heat between my legs answered for me. But this time, shame accompanied it. My body wanted the pleasure they promised, but I couldn’t ignore Spencer’s treatment of his family or his treatment of me. Could I really overlook the iron fist he’d clenched around all of us because of what he could do with his cock? Alone, I felt like I could, but that strength seemed to evaporate in the heat of the moment. He knew that and that’s why he persisted in pressing all my buttons.

But he wasn’t here now. Was he in his room?

My thoughts shifted to Holden, imagining him drinking alone in the billiards room. Last night, they’d been inside me. I closed my eyes and I could still feel their touch. My fingers drifted to my mouth, recalling the taste of Holden’s kiss, while my other hand slid to the ache between my legs.

I was sore from the experience, but I didn’t care. Maybe if I could sate this hunger inside me, I could keep a clear head when I faced them. But even as I touched myself, I knew it would never happen. My body was conditioned to respond to their presence. Even thinking of them seemed to jumpstart my hormones until I was drenched and desperate.

I fell back on the bed, rubbing myself harder, trying to push the throbbing bundle of nerves toward release.

“Stop that,” Spencer’s harsh voice interrupted.

I froze, my hand still down my pants. Part of me was embarrassed to be caught in the act, then I remembered everything we had shared. Spencer wouldn’t make me feel ashamed for my pleasure. He could take my freedom. He could take my hand in marriage. But there were parts of me he would never own. I wouldn’t allow it.

I closed my eyes and continued. I was so close, and knowing he was here, being forced to watch but not touch pushed me closer.

I heard him walking to the bed, and I circled faster, trying to escape before he caught me. I was near the edge, the precipice in view when he yanked my hand from my pants.

“What the fuck?” I screamed at him, panting and sweaty.

“I told you to stop,” he repeated, his eyes dark pools of black in the dim lighting.

“You don’t tell me what to do,” I said, tugging free from him.

He laughed, shaking his head slightly. “I only wanted to watch.”

“Newsflash: you were watching,” I said, frustration getting the better of me.

“Don’t be like that,” he coaxed. He took my hand gently, and I resisted the urge to draw it away from him. I watched as he lifted my fingers to his lips. One by one, he took each one into his mouth and sucked.

My core turned molten, my arousal taking over my brain. Spencer released my hand.

“Continue,” he said softly, “but take off your pants.”