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“Am I?” I snap, sharper than intended. “Because it feels like I’m being realistic.”
“Realistic is for the real world. You’re still in university, and you need a place to stay.”
His words hit hard. The truth is, Iamout of options right now, backed into a corner by circumstance.
“Fine,” I say, the word feeling like surrender, even as it frees me from the limbo I’ve been trapped in. “I’ll stay. But just until I sort something else out.”
“Good,” he agrees, and there’s a glimmer of victory in his eyes but also something like relief.
Gripping my bag tightly with both hands, we stride up to the front door. a fancy crest looms above us, carved into the stone, demanding respect—or maybe fear. It’s hard to tell which.
I gulp.
Who the hell lives here?
We stop at the door. It’s massive, ancient-looking, imposing as fuck, with the coat of arms staring down at us.
Reaching out, I finally land on the cool metal of the brass lion’s head knocker. I give it two sharp raps, louder than I intend, and my pulse races at the sound echoing behind the wood.
“Ready for this?” Alex asks, his voice low.
“Fuck no,” I confess, but there’s no turning back now.
He chuckles, but it’s dark, a little bit terrifying.
The door opens easily, and there stands the owner in front of me, cool blue eyes staring right into mine. My breath hitches, caught somewhere between my throat and the tightness in my chest.
“Ever Knight,” Alex says. “This is Alistair Gaight.”
“Duke of KnightsGate,” I whisper, wondering how in the hell I didn’t know he lived across the square from us.
“Ever,” Alistair says, and it’s like ice and fire all at once. “Welcome home.”
11
EVER
For a split second, I’m frozen, caught in the web of his icy blue gaze. The tension is thick with something unspoken as Alistair’s hand moves, a silent command to follow him. His face gives nothing away, but I move forward to catch up, urgency gnawing at my insides, and I step through the doorway with Alex close behind. He shuts the door, and I jump, feeling trapped.
My breath comes in ragged gasps as I trail behind Alistair through this house that screams money and power. The kind of ancient wealth that slams into you, leaving you reeling. In the living room, three more men are seated casually, but all eyes are on me as I stumble in, my bag feeling far too heavy for me to carry now. I drop it, and it lands on my foot, but I don’t wince and show weakness. I feel that will get me eaten alive in this den of vipers.
“Ever,” Alistair says, voice smooth as silk,dangerous as a blade sliding across skin. “Glad to have you here.”
“Thanks for extending the invite. I’ll find something else as soon as I can,” I murmur, my voice steady despite the chaos of nerves inside me.
“No need. The room is yours as long as you want it,” Alistair says easily, but the intensity in his eyes is starting to make me panic.
Their stares are heavy and expectant as if they’re waiting for me to crack open and spill secrets I don’t even have. I shift my weight, trying to shake off the feeling of being an exhibit under scrutiny.
Alistair clears his throat, and the sound echoes against the high, ornate ceilings. “Gentlemen, this is Ever Knight.”
“Ever,” the one I know around as Benedict says, his green eyes studying me like I’m some puzzle he’s set on solving. “I’m Benedict Harrington, Earl of Cumberfold.”
I gulp.
The title thrown casually in there only serves to remind me I’m a nobody. A peasant. They’ll probably expect me to be their maid to help pay my way.
The other guy I sort of know from earlier when he came to my rescue, Damien Wraith, lifts his chin in acknowledgement, a slight smirk playing on his lips, his grey eyes brooding and a little bit terrifying. “Damien Wraith, Baron of Mere.”
