Page 50 of Viral Affair

“Fine, Vincent, I’ll get you what you need by September.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rupert

The summer holidays had officially started, and I told myself I had to relax as I sat in the private terminal lounge waiting for Spencer and his security team. One fucking guy needed so many people to keep him safe because of his position.

It had been three weeks since my trip to Gloucester with Veronica, and we were further apart than ever. She’d been avoiding me, all while I kept messing around with her clients. Matthews had no idea since I’d been doing it discreetly for a while now. It was pathetic. A few days ago, she flew to Rome with one of her friends while I stayed in London overseeing the clearance of one of my sites until it was time for me to pack up.

I had gone through some recordings, but there were so many hours of footage, I sent the rest to James. I gave him access to all the evidence my team had collected on the site. My brother was currently away in Europe, but he promised he’d look into it. James only left the country when there was an emergency, but I trusted him to take care of this matter by the time I returned from Sicily.

I got up when Spencer entered the terminal with Maja and Laura, instantly regretting the fact that I’d decided to join them. My brother was completely fucked. He said something to Laura, she nodded to him with a smile, and then he approached me as his security team spread around, acting invisible. We were going to be boarding my private jet soon.

“How have you been, you little prick?” Spencer asked as he plunked himself next to me, glancing at his watch. He wore a white t-shirt and black shorts. I rolled my eyes because I’d chosen exactly the same outfit for today. We looked so similar, and in the past people had often mistaken us for twin brothers.Now, here we were, looking alike and dressed alike.

“Fantastic,” I replied. “I know exactly why you’re bringing her along, Spencer.”

I stared at Laura who was now talking with my niece. Fuck, I wasn’t surprised he had weak spot for her. She was stunning—completely not my type, or his for that matter, but I could see the appeal.

“So she can look after your niece if we both decide to go out, Rupert. You said it yourself—you won’t be with us all the time. Maja was really happy that Laura decided to come, so I don’t see the issue,” he replied.

I glanced at my watch, too.

We were going to be boarding any minute, but I couldn’t focus, my thoughts racing. Now the only other person I’d been thinking constantly about in the past few days was away, too. We hadn’t talked before she’d left, and I had no idea what happened, but she ditched all my calls.I ran through all the time we had spent together trying to figure out what I could have done to offend her, but nothing was coming to mind. There was no reason she should be dodging me the way that she has been.

A few times I went to the club, hoping to see her, but for some reason she’d either already left with her client or we’d missed each other by only a few minutes. I was confused, so I let it go, and then two days ago she sent me a text saying she was enjoying herself in Rome and was looking forward to seeing me soon. All this cryptic stuff was fucking irritating. I had no idea what kind of game she was playing with me, but I intended to find out soon.

“This isn’t about that, Spencer. It’s about the fact that you want her. I can see it in your eyes. I know I’m not in a position to give you advice, but you should really think about this before you make your move. You said it yourself. She gets on with Maja, but I doubt very much that Laura is ready to be her mother,” I said, following his line of vision.

Spencer couldn’t take his eyes off his nanny. He could deny it as much as he wanted, but he was attracted to her.

“Exactly as you said: this is none of your business, little brother, so get off your high horse and just enjoy this break while you can,” he reminded me, then quickly added, “What about Veronica? How are things with the woman you’ve been obsessing over for the past two years?”

“I don’t fucking want to talk about it,” I snapped, irritated he’d decided to bring her up now. Luckily, my cock and balls were healed, and I’d jerked myself off a few times just to be sure that the fucking book hadn’t inflicted any permanent damage.

He laughed and slapped me in the back. “I thought so.”

Fucking prick. He knew I more than liked Veronica. Spencer had been there with me when I’d seen her video, and the fact that Laura was Veronica’s roommate complicated things. We were both in different stages of our lives, but I wasn’t planning to give up on her just yet. Her message wasn’t clear, but we were going to see each other soon—which was when I’d get some answers.

An hour later, we were in the plane flying towards our destination. I played cards with Maja, while my brother sat in the back next to his nanny. Laura didn’t look too pleased with that arrangement, seeming rather flustered. I was suddenly looking forward to this break. I’d made a bet with my father to see how long Spencer would resist Laura. He’d said three weeks. I bet two, knowing that my brother’s patience was hanging by a thread. Spencer hadn’t been with many women before, but he’d never been obsessed with anyone else like he was with his own nanny. He claimed he didn’t want to bother with relationships, that’s why he used escorts, but I could tell this infatuation drove him bananas. I was a little concerned for Maja’s sake, but this was none of my business as long as Laura wasn’t like Samantha and she stuck around.

“Wow, this place is so much nicer than the one we had last year. Dad, you’ve done well.” Maja grinned as she glanced around the enormous villa that stretched in front of us.

I was impressed—Spencer had done well by picking this place that was going to be our home for the next six weeks. As a family we were used to luxury, but I never focused on material things in my life, although the views here were incredible.

Spencer stayed outside, engrossed in conversation with his security team.

“Your dad outdid himself this time. We’ll definitely have fun here,” I commented.

“I’m going inside to see if I can find my room.” Maja broke away and ran inside, which left me and Laura alone.

Laura gave me a small smile and started walking around the patio. I decided to follow her until we reached the barbecue area. There was no point in delaying this conversation any longer. I didn’t want things to be awkward anymore.

“I think we should clear the air between us since we’ll be living together for the next six weeks. I’m proposing a ceasefire,” I said and waited for her to face me.

I took off my sunglasses and studied Laura for a moment. She was a beautiful woman, and I had a feeling that maybe I’d misjudged her far too soon. “What are your plans with Spencer? Are you aiming to make him fall in love with you?”

“Make him fall in love with me? Do you realise how ridiculous that sounds? I’m here to help him care for Maja. There’s nothing going on between your brother and me, and there never will be,” she stated firmly, frowning.

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