Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
OLIVER
Ineed to get out of town and away from Savvy before I do something reckless and demeaning. Like begging.
But I can’t go before talking to my brother, no matter how much I might want to avoid him. He’s left me three messages asking me not to leave town without seeing him first.
Is this about me stripping your fiancée bare and putting my mouth all over her? Sure. Be right there.
I haven’t fought in a while. In fact, I’m old enough now that it’s hard to remember a time when getting the shit beaten out of me was enjoyable on any level. If I’m going to revisit my appreciation for it, there’s no time like the present.
Rose told me I’d probably find him at The Orchid, working with his business partner in the restaurant, and she’s right. He looks so fucking official sitting at a small table in his dress shirt and tie, his business partner across from him. Our father would be proud.
The restaurant is buzzing this morning, with all but a couple of tables full of diners eating their breakfasts. With any luck, Alec will only maim me in such a lovely establishment rather than committing outright murder.
Marston looks up from his computer and spots me before Alec does. “Oh, hey.” He reaches out a hand. “I’m Marston, Alec’s business partner. You’re the brother, right?”
I swallow back a nasty reply and nod, accepting his firm handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Marston. I’m Oliver. Half-brother, technically.”
“He knows all about you,” Alec says, studying me wearily. Wearily but not like he’s imagining my insides all over the floor. Okay. That’s something. “I’m glad you found me. You’re heading back to Monaco today?”
“Tonight,” I say, nodding.
Marston’s chair rumbles as he shoves away from the table. “Here. Take my seat. I want to go check on my wife anyway.” He stands, tucking his laptop under his arm, and gives me one last meaningful nod before turning away. “It’s good to meet you, Oliver.”
I stare at his seat, unwilling to sit down if Alec doesn’t actually want me here. Story of my fucking life, really. It’s just that I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m not interested in sitting at tables where I’m not wanted.
“Sit,” Alec says. “We need to talk. Savvy told me what happened yesterday.”
I blink at him. This has to be some sort of trick, but I’ve fucked up Savvy’s life enough, and I’m not falling for it. “I had to tell her how I feel,” I say.
He grunts. “And you had to show up at her apartment too? Was getting her naked part of telling her how you feel?”
I lower into the chair and scrub a hand over my face. No fucking way. “She really told you.”
Alec flinches. “She told me enough that I could connect the dots.”
“Shit. That’s . . . Shit.”
“Yeah,” Alec says. “No kidding.”
“I fucked up.” I swallow hard. What was I thinking? It’s ironic, considering that’s what he’s always believed happened with Portentia. Even in my angriest moments, I never would’ve chosen to deliberately destroy his chance for a happy marriage. I don’t want that. Not for him and certainly not for Savvy. “Why are we sitting here? Because if our roles were reversed, I would already have me in a chokehold.”
He puffs out a breath. “Don’t think I wasn’t tempted.”
“Can I go first? Before you say anything else?” I swallow the lump in my throat. Fuck. Why is this so hard? “I want you to know I won’t do anything more to compromise your relationship with Savvy. I’ve said my piece. I’ve—” I look toward the picture windows that overlook the patio and the lake beyond, shame heating my cheeks. “I’ve let her know how I feel and probably taken advantage of every unresolved emotion left between us. But she’s wearing your ring, and it’s time I accept that. She deserves to be happy, and if you can give her that, then . . . well, I’ll still hate your fucking guts, but I won’t seduce your wife while you’re on business trips or anything like that.”
Alec’s brows shoot up to his hairline. “I’m not sure if I should say thank you or punch you in the face.”
I cough out a laugh. “Maybe both?”
He relaxes. Yeah, this is definitely weird. “Portentia and I had a heart-to-heart last night, and it seems I owe you an apology,” he says. “A big one.”
“The past is in the past.” I scan the restaurant, searching for a server. “Think I could get some coffee?” I ask when I catch the eye of a young woman a table away.
She nods and scurries off.
I lean back in my chair. A few years ago, Portentia said we should tell my family the truth about what happened. I never thought she’d actually do it. “To be clear, she told you—”