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James is close enough to hear us now, and I’m pretty sure that cocky grin just got a little wider. “Keiran, so good to see you again.”
“Is it?”
James tosses a pointed glance in my direction before turning back to his brother. “Always good to catch up with family, right? I’m surprised you found time to make it here tonight, though. Seems you and your, ah,nannyhave been pretty busy lately.”
God, I hate him.
“You’d better watch your fucking mouth,” Keir grinds out through gritted teeth. “Why don’t you introduce us to your date?”
I snort before I can stop myself, drawing a scowl from my ex and a sneer from James. “I think your nanny might already know my old friend, isn’t that right? Would you like to handle the introductions, Ella?”
“No,” is all I say, leaving the four of us silently staring at each other for a few uncomfortably long seconds.
“I’m Spencer,” my ex shoves a hand in Keir’s direction. I’ve heard a lot about you, Lord Grayrose.”
Keir looks down at Spencer’s hand and waits a beat before shaking it. “I’ve heard very little about you, Spencer.”
James tosses me a wink that makes my skin crawl. “I’m sure Ella can fill you in on all the important details. The two of you might have a few things in common, Keir. Seems you share the same taste in women, at the very least.”
I can’t stay quiet anymore. I’ve tried. I really have. But I can’t keep standing here pretending like any of this is normal. “Why are you doing this, James? What are you trying to prove? What did I ever do to you?”
“Aside from fucking my brother and making a mockery of my family’s name? Whoring around all over Europe with him while you pretend to tutor my niece? Shall I go on?”
Keir steps so close to him that James actually flinches. “No. You shouldn’t. I don’t want to hear you say another word to her. Ever.”
“Sure, brother,” James shrugs. “But maybe when the two of you leave here, you can ask her about her relationship with Spencer. Seems your nanny really has a thing for older, rich gentlemen, hm?”
As much as I appreciate the fact that Keir is defending me, I can’t stop myself from giving his brother a piece of my mind before we leave. “Go to hell, James. You don’t know anything about me, and you sure as hell don’t know what kind of guys I like. You’re just pissed that I wouldn’t give you a chance.”
That cocky mask slips for a second and I see a flash of pure hatred in James’ eyes. He opens his mouth to say something else but stops when someone nearby calls out his name. His eyes narrow for a split-second before he schools his features into his characteristic smirk again. “We’ll have to continue this enlightening conversation another time. A constituent needs me.”
He stalks off with my confused ex in tow, leaving me standing alone with Keir again. “God, that was awful,” I exhale a breath I’ve been holding in for way too long. “I’m sorry, but I really hate your brother. Like, really, really hate him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a rich ex?” His voice is cold and his expression is still stony.
“I’m… sorry? That isn’t the sort of thing that normally comes up in conversation, Keir.”
What the hell? Is he pissed at me now? How did this ambush suddenly become my fault?
“Seems like something you might have mentioned,” he shrugs. “Unless there’s a reason you kept it a secret?”
Okay, now I’m getting angry. “Have you lost your mind? I know you’re upset with your brother, but please don’t take that out on me. I had no idea my ex was going to be here—I assure you I’m just as pissed as you are right now.”
“I doubt that,” he shakes his head. “All this time you’ve played up how poor your family is and how you’ve never been around someone with as much money as I have—can you blame me for wondering how much of that is true?”
“What?” I have to stop myself from yelling because he’s making me want to pull my hair out right now. “First of all, fuck you for whatever you’re implying. But second, why would I lie about my past? What possible motive would I have? Yeah, I used to have a wealthy boyfriend. We dated for a while and then we broke up.” I lower my voice again because I’m starting to yellagain. “But don’t worry, the two of you really don’t have much in common. He never made me pretend to be his fucking nanny.”
Keir doesn’t say anything, and that’s how I know he’s beyond pissed. He’s furious. But dammit, so am I.
He turns on his heel and walks away, leaving me to trail behind him while I question every single one of my life choices. How the hell did this happen? This night started out so well. We were happy. We were having fun.
Then James came along and ruined my life.
Again.
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
KEIRAN
