Page 126 of Broken Prince

“Hey, Mama. Sorry, I’m late. Everything smells amazing,” I tell her as I hug her tightly.

“All that matters is you're here. Come, sit down. I saved you a seat next to Benny.”

Giving her a smile of my own, I turn my attention to the table. Logan is across the table, next to his dad and Owen’s on the other side of him. At the other end of the table is a woman I haven’t met yet. That must be James’ sister.

“Delaney, this is James’ sister, Teresa. Teresa, this is my daughter, Delaney.”

The older woman gives me a friendly smile. She looks to be in her fifties. “Hi.” I give her a little wave. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well. James has told me a lot about you. Sorry, we didn’t meet at the wedding.”

“Oh, and we can’t forget Teresa’s stepson. Delaney, this is Malachi.”

My eyes drift over to the man sitting next to Teresa on her right, and my whole world stops.

His stormy grey eyes meet mine, and my stomach drops.

No. No fucking way. This can’t be happening. You have got to be fucking kidding me.

“Kai?” I let out a hysterical laugh. “This is some sick fucked up joke, right?”

“Delaney!” Mom hisses. “Manners.”

“Delaney.” Kai pushes his chair back and stands.

“Do you two know each other?” Mom asks, and I can feel everyone’s eyes on me.

I can’t stop laughing. It’s coming out a bit hysterical and panicked.

“Delaney,” Kai says again, taking a step towards me.

“Stop.” I suck in a breath, shaking my head. “Don’t. Just don’t.”

“What the hell is going on?” Logan’s booming voice sounds, but I don’t look away from Kai’s worried gaze.

“I can’t do this. This can not be happening.” I shake my head as I turn around and leave the room.

“Delaney!” Mom calls out.

But it’s not her who follows after me, it’s Kai.

“Sweetheart.” He grabs my arm, pulling me to a stop just as I get to the fountain in the front of the house.

“Did you know?” I shout, spinning around to face him. “Did you know who I was?”

“Not when we first met,” he promises. “When I found out your real name on the first day of class, I knew the last name sounded familiar. I couldn’t place it. After some thinking, I remembered my stepmom’s brother just married someone with the same last name. I knew she had a kid, I didn’t remember her name. I didn’t try to find out because I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answers.”

“Why? Because if you knew who I was, you wouldn’t have pursued me?”

He reaches up and cups my face. I let him, craving his touch. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, would have kept me from making you mine.” His voice is hard, confident, and promising. “I was just afraid that if it was true, and you knew who I was, you wouldn’t want me.”

It’s strange to see this big, burly-looking man look so vulnerable. “Because that would mean you’re my step... cousin?”

He lets out a laugh. “I guess so? With that, on top of the fact I’m your professor and there’s this big age gap between us, I thought it would be too much, too overwhelming. So, I guess I kept myself in the dark. If I didn’t know, it wouldn’t be an issue. I know. Stupid.”

He brushes his thumb against my cheek, eyes boring into mine. “My head is a mess right now,” I whisper.

“Tell me, Sweetheart.” He leans forward, putting his forehead to mine. “Tell me how I can make this better?”

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