Page 173 of My Dark Prince
I tried to reel myself in. I knew he hated when I got like this – excited for him, pushy, too pumped to let him make his own decisions.
Calm the fuck down or you’ll blow it, dude.
I propped my shoulder against the wall obscuring me from view and continued eavesdropping without a drop of shame. The high buzzing inside me washed that all away. Whiffs of pizza and beer wafted in the air. In the background, Peter Griffin’s distinctive whine drifted from the surround sound.Family Guy.
Legends.
“I don’t know how you eat all this crap and stay so ripped.” Briar groaned, her mouth obviously stuffed with pizza.
“I work out five hours a day. Plenty of time to burn, you see.”
They continued to eat in silence while I slid to the floor, just enjoying the sound of my brother and fiancée happy.
So.” Seb paused to swallow his bite. “Heard from your folks again since the last time?”
Since the last time?There was a last time, and she hadn’t told me?
Jealousy cloyed at my throat, gripping me in a chokehold. They shared an entire language between them, secrets and conversations I’d been left out of. But joy won out. Sebastian had made progress for the first time in years. He’d accepted someone, enjoyed their company, and connected.
“Nope.” Briar popped the P. “Guess I successfully sent the message that I want them in my life a little less than I do the Grim Reaper.”
“Don’t be so harsh. I’m sure the Grim Reaper has some redeeming qualities.”
More laughter. More pizza. MoreFamily Guy.
I loved my brother. I really did. I had put my entire fucking life on hold for him, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. But I didn’t love that he’d asked her to keep their hangouts a secret – and I had no doubt the order had come from him. That fucker was born to piss me off.
Once the clock ticked closer to six, the time I normally arrived home, I stalked out of Sebastian’s wing, my throat pulsating. I wanted to rip something to shreds. To release my anger on someone. And to cry of relief.
Sebastian was capable of happiness.
He was capable of being human again.
He just needed someone to pull him out of his shell.
Too many emotions swirled in my stomach. As soon as my feet hit my office rug, I buckled over the trash can, dry heaving. Nothing came out. I plopped onto my ass and hung my head, releasing a feral growl.
The love of my life was healing my brother.
But she had goals, and work, and a life in Los Angeles.
If she left … I drove my fist into my desk, chipping the heavy wood and splitting open my own knuckles.
This time, she would not go anywhere.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Briar
Dallas Costa:I still cannot believe he BOUGHT A WHOLE ASS HOUSE FOR YOUR FIRST DATE.
Briar Auer:Tbh, I did put out all those years ago in exchange for a few hasty drinks.
Briar Auer:But he somehow designed my perfect childhood room that never was. A nice touch, all things considered.
Farrow Ballantine-Sun:I’m afraid, under these circumstances, even I would fold.
Dallas Costa:FOLD???
