Page 17 of Wicked Heiress

My mom left the great room to coordinate with the staff, ensuring Rhys’s bedroom was ready. That gave him a second to set his sights on Grace. She smiled at him with a giddy expression on her face.

Sometimes, she looked at me like that. But after last night, I could tell she was trying hard not to stare in my direction.

“Who is this lovely creature?” Rhys said to Grace, offering his hand.

She placed her hand in his and laughed as he kissed her skin. “I’m Grace Hale.”

“Fitzy’s granddaughter?” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “How lucky for me?”

I heard the excitement in his voice, and when he said the words, they were aimed at me. A new challenge. He enjoyed games because they could be won.

Rhys patted my back. “Miss me, Marshall?”

I sneered at him. “About as much as I’d miss hemorrhoids.”

My father cleared his throat, interrupting our staring contest. “I spoke to Remington this morning. You can stay as long as you like.”

“Thank you, Commandant.” Rhys flashed a set of straight, white teeth. “We won’t forget your generosity.”

Like the Vanderbilts had anything to offer in return. They had enough money to last them until the end of the year if they were lucky.

Remington had sold every property on the East Coast to pay off his debts and moved their family to Bel Air temporarily. He would eventually sell that house. Who knew where they would end up after that?

Penniless.

Homeless.

The Founders hadn’t decided what to do with them. Rhys was still one of us until they were down to their last dollar. Knights took an oath to put each other above all else. It was a brotherhood, a lifelong commitment.

The summer before we started college, Rhys and a few of my friends from the academy went through Initiation together. We endured months of hell to become members of The Devil’s Knights. But even after all the challenges we faced, Rhys still hadn’t taken his oath seriously. He broke the rules as he saw fit and didn’t give a shit about anyone but himself.

Rhys cuddled up beside Grace, finding ways to touch her. I wanted to rip off his fingers and shove them down his throat one digit at a time. He whispered something in her ear, and she playfully slapped his arm.

“Oh, my God, Rhys,” Grace lilted. “You’re so bad.”

I’m going to kill him.

“Vanderbilt.” I tipped my head when he glanced at me. “A word, please?”

Rhys brushed his thumb across Grace’s cheek and gave her a lopsided grin. “I’ll be right back, princess.”

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, a blush spreading from her cheeks to her chest. I could see Grace had already fallen under his spell. Most women liked Rhys. He could charm a nun out of her chastity belt.

He followed me to the left side of the room, propping his hip against the wall. “What do you want, Marshall? I’m kinda busy.”

“Look how fast you drop the nice guy act.” I shook my head. “You’re not fooling anyone. I know you’re up to something.”

“I’m just being nice to our Grand Master’s granddaughter,” he said in a clipped tone. “And from the look of it, you two aren’t speaking. Don’t think I’ve missed how she looks away from you like a wounded puppy.” He scratched the corner of his jaw and grinned. “What have you been up to, Marshall? Did you fuck her to stick it to the old man?”

“No, of course not,” I shot back. “Unlike you, I follow the rules.”

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, pushing out his chest. We were solid muscle and close in height, but he was leaner.

“After the shit the old man put my family through, I’m done following his orders.”

“You’re still a Knight,” I reminded him.

Rhys closed the distance between us. “Here’s what you don’t seem to understand, Marshall. I have nothing left to lose. You can try to stop me, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”

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