Page 135 of By His Rule

Kieran is the headstrong one who carved out his own life and gives people a reason to talk about him other than the surname he was born with.

And then there is me.

The middle child.

My stomach knots. I hate that I feel like this.

I’ve had a good life. No, a great fucking life.

I’ve never wanted for anything. I had the best education money could buy. I’ve had the vacations, the experiences. Lived in lavish homes and driven fancy cars.

But despite all that, I can’t help feeling like I’m always overlooked.

I have never been anyone’s priority.

I’m just the one in the middle who’s expected to do as he’s told and toe the line.

Ripping my eyes away from the enigmatic man on stage, I turn to Lorelei.

She looks tense, and I don’t think it’s just because of the event, but also because of whatever she keeps looking at on her cell. I have a very good idea who’s putting that expression on her face and continuing to convince her that she’s not good enough.

I should have punched that motherfucker harder.

What I said to her earlier is true.

She is hands down the most beautiful woman here tonight.

And it’s not just because of how she looks. It’s what I know she hides inside underneath the chip on her shoulder and the sassy attitude.

She isn’t from this life, I get that. And I also understand the reason she views rich people the way she does. Hell, half the time she’s right. We are a bunch of arrogant assholes.

But there’s so much more to some of us than that. Or, at least, I really fucking hope there is.

With her fully distracted, I study her closely.

Her curly hair is pinned up away from her neck with pins encrusted with blue diamonds. Not that she knows that, of course. Just the pins in her hair tonight cost more than most cars. She’d lose her shit if she knew that our lunch date between her appointments earlier was to allow me time to get them delivered to the salon.

But it was worth it. And if I fuck all this up in the weeks and months to come, then she can pawn them and take the cash.

My chest tightens at the thought of her discarding them—me—so easily. But I know she could.

This is just a job for her.

Sure, she might flinch when I touch her and give me those “come fuck me” eyes every now and then, but I know she’s not feeling the pull toward me that I am to her.

It’s because she doesn’t want you…

Shaking my head, I force my eyes away from her. It’s unlikely, but she could become bored of Kieran and turn back to me.

Who am I kidding? As far as everyone around me is concerned, there is only one Callahan in attendance tonight. And it’s not the one sitting at this table.

I scan the room, taking in table after table, mentally working out how much money Kieran has raised from ticket sales alone, when my eyes lock on someone I was hoping not to see tonight.

And she’s looking right fucking at me.

Fuck.

Sasha smirks.

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