Page 99 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

Ivy sits up, reaches for a box of food, and puts it in front of London, almost like a peace offering. "This is vegetarian."

"Thanks," London says, opening it up.

The room goes quiet aside from everyone's chewing. It's awkward, although I'm not sure any of our family dinners aren't weird in some capacity. I don't enjoy them, but it makes Ivy happy, and despite her making me mad from time to time, I do love her and want the best for her. We all do, that's why we have these silly family meals.

"So tell me about your parents," Ivy starts, looking directly at London.

"They're dead. What about yours?" London knows damn well that we're orphans who banded together and vowed to be stronger than blood and yet she asks anyway, no doubt to get under Ivy's skin.

"Probably dead, too."

London chuckles. "Hey, at least we have that in common."

"Yeah. I guess so."

"What happened to them?" Ivy persists. "If you don't mind me asking."

London swallows the bite of food in her mouth and pats her lips with her napkin. "Well, my dad killed my mom when I was three. And he died not that long ago."

"Damnnn," Seven draws out. "That's brutal." He leans forward, placing his tattooed arms on the table and resting his head in his hands. "How did he do it?"

"Seven," I command. "Knock it off."

"Yeah," Ivy agrees. "You don't have to tell us the details." She glares at Seven. "You know better than that."

Seven slams his fist on the table. "You get to pry, but I can't? How is that fair?"

"Because I can know where the line is, Seven," Ivy tells him. "You have no filter."

"Whatever," he scoffs, leaning back in his chair. "Can we leave yet?"

"What's your hurry?" August asks him. "Do you have work that needs to be done?"

"No, I'm just fucking bored." Seven motions toward Ivy, his hand going dangerously close to London. "Sis won't let me drink, what else am I supposed to do?"

"Not everything is about you," Leo says. "You can suffer through a meal like the rest of us."

"Excuse me? Suffer?" Ivy sucks in a deep breath and I wonder if she's going to implode. "Torture? Is that what this is? Spending time with your family? How fucking self-centered and selfish of you." She turns to August. "Do you feel this way, too?"

"I didn't say anything." August flinches like she's about to hit him and he's bracing for it. For such a large, brutal man, he sure is afraid of such a tiny person. Ivy has always been a spitfire, though, especially since she has to put up with us. We've trained her well over the years, teaching her how to fight, defend herself, and shoot guns—giving her all the tools she requires to keep herself safe when we aren't around. She's deadly despite the small package she comes in and the sweet exterior.

"Why don't you leave then, huh?" she huffs at Seven and turns to Leo. "Fucking leave if you don't want to be here."

"I don't have to take this shit," Seven says. "I didn't want to come in the first place." He stands from the table so quickly his chair goes shooting out from behind him.

I react without thought, rising to my feet and readying myself to tackle him if he takes one step toward London.

"The fuck do you think you're going to do about it, tough guy?" Seven shoves my shoulder.

"Don't start with me," I say through gritted teeth.

"Why can't we make it through one fucking meal without one of you fighting the other?" Ivy shakes her head. "This is disgraceful."

Leo snatches a box of food off the table. "I'm out, you coming, Sev?"

"Don't pretend like you're my friend, you arrogant prick." Seven stumbles in his spot, his body swaying under him. Whatever he's on must be fucking with his balance. "You knew I fucking liked her and you took her out anyway. You're lucky I don't come over there and snap your fucking neck."

I extend my arm, preventing Seven from advancing any further. "Dude, really? He's your brother. Don't say shit like that."

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