AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t think Sid sees how quickly she’s melded into my world. People seem to gravitate to her. That smile alone is infectious.
“You watch her as if she’s going to fly away,” my father’s voice rumbles in my ears.
I turn to the old man to see him looking in Sid’s direction. He lifts his glass to his lips and takes a sip. I turn back to Sid just as she throws her head back in laughter. It’s a sight I want to see as she’s beneath me. That twinkle in her eyes, the curve of her luscious lips.
“Just taking in the night. It’s been good for business,” I reply, removing all emotion from my words.
“I see you still haven’t gotten over your little tiff with Leeann.” He changes the subject.
I snort. “Tiff? You used the only friend I had against me. You turned her into one of your minions,” I growl, allowing my composure to slip just a little.
“You tend to see things from a narrow gaze. You always have. I had no involvement in the things Leeann has been accused of. I warned you to beware of those two many times. I figured burned by one, you’d be cautious of the other, but I left you to learn that lesson on your own.
“Everything I do, I do it to protect my boys. The three of you think I’m your enemy. All your lives, I’ve allowed you to learn to be men. Someday, I hope you’ll see that.” I feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to turn to face him.
I feel the rage building inside of me. I fight back the memories and the hurt. I’ve come too far.
I will not allow that time in my life to ruin my good mood tonight. Surprisingly, Fran didn’t ruffle my feathers as much as she would have in the past. There was a time I refused to be in the same room with her.
I snort deeply at his words and the memories. “Guess that’s why you allowed me to go to jail,” I fume.
“Another moment that defined you and made you a better man,” he replies.
“You keep telling yourself that,” I grumble, taking a sip of my drink.
My father sighs. “I’m not going to be around forever.” His voice wavers, grabbing my attention and causing me to turn my head this time. “I’ve done everything in my power for you boys. I know I pushed too much at times. I have my regrets, but in the end, I think we will all land on the same page.”
I stare at my father, eyeing him intently. I hear his words, but I also hear something else behind them. Something crosses his eyes, but he turns his attention back across the room before I can pinpoint what I’m seeing.
I follow his gaze, only to stiffen. My eyes land on Sidney just as my cousin, Wade, walks up to her. I watch as the smile fades from her lips. I don’t blame her for the reaction.
Wade’s a pompous asshole. For years, he has wanted everything my brothers and I have. When Gregor walked away from the path that would’ve landed him in the governor’s seat, Wade was there to lick my father’s ass and step into the shoes that were still too big for his entitled feet.
Wade is my father’s sister’s son. Aunt Evelyn spoiled his ass rotten from day one. My father isn’t any better.
He never used the heavy hand he used with me and my brothers on Wade. Now, my cousin runs around like he’s owed the world, while living in the shadow of my older brother. If my father says jump, Wade asks how high midjump.
I’ve been wanting to see Sid and Wade in the same room. Watching her body language shift is more than revealing. Wade has his back to me, but I can read Sidney’s lips clearly. It’s a gift.
I watch as her pinched lips form the words. It isn’t good to see you again.
I start moving across the room, my father forgotten. His voice calling my name is just a buzz in my ears. I ignore it like an annoying bug.
“Wade,” I grumble, sliding an arm around Sidney’s waist.
I savor how her soft body melts right into me. She leans her lush curves against me as naturally as if it were something she’s done for years. I dip my head to kiss the top of her head.
“Clayton, you lucky bastard. I don’t know how you did it. Sidney here is one hard nut to crack.” Wade’s smug ass grins at me.
“Wade, I’m warning you. You’re treading on thin ice. Swallow the rest of your dumbass comments before you’re swallowing teeth,” I say through tight lips.
He pulls a mock surprised face. Only an idiot would try me when it comes to Sid, but Wade’s an idiot for sure, always has been. He picked the wrong night to piss me off.
