Page 44 of Tarnished Embers

“I’ll tell them.” His words are barely audible, but I hear them all the same, and the rush I get from his acquiescence is one I’ve not experienced for a while.

“Good. Now run along, I have some business to attend to.” I look down at the papers strewn on the desk, dismissing him.

The door closes behind him and I smile fully, knowing that I have given myself more time to work out this shitshow. Taking the paper from the desk drawer, my fingers wrinkle it as rage fills my veins.

My dear departed husband left everything, the entirety of his estate and fortune to his darling daughter. Oh sure, he left me enough to get by, but that was not what I signed up for, but then, he’s a man, and they never fulfil the promises they make, I know that more than most.

I had to think quickly when I received his last Will and Testament, but as with most things in life, anything can be sorted with a little money to smooth the way. Employing my solicitor to read a Will of my making wasn’t difficult, and once I’ve destroyed this one, I doubt anyone will ever discover the true contents.

Now, to work out how to get the money and estate. I could marry her off to Prince, but he’s a stubborn bastard and that would finally give him the power to leave me, just like his father all those years ago. He told me I was too clingy, too demanding. I just wanted what was best for us, but he couldn’t see it, couldn’t handle my ambition.

Prince is so like his father; dark, handsome, and so damn broody. He was the only thing left of the man I gave my heart to, the only man I ever loved. I could never let Prince go, but just like his father, he’d leave me if he could, and I can’t have that.

No, I need to think of something else. Something that will ensure I get what I’m owed, and I am owed. I’ve found in life that you have to take what you want, by any means necessary.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

“LOVE ME HARDER” BY ARIANA GRANDE

EMBER

Apart of me feels terrible at not being there when Odette told the staff that we could no longer employ them, but I couldn’t face it. The thought of saying goodbye to more people in my life left me nauseous, so I took the coward’s way out and hid with the guys in the living room.

The next morning, I head down to breakfast with Oct; the others having gone down first to make us all something. I thought we’d just eat in the kitchen, but Odette calls to us as we pass the dining room, and as we walk in, I come to a grinding halt when I see her sitting in my father’s chair at the head of the table.

“Good morning, Ember, honey,” she greets sweetly, an expectant smile on her face, which is perfectly made up as usual. I inhale deeply, trying not to let the sight of her taking his place affect me.

“Good morning, Odette,” I whisper, looking away and shaking my head, letting Oct lead us to his and Kit’s usual places.

“Grub’s up!” Kit calls as he strides into the room, an enormous plate of bacon in his hands. Prince and Cas follow, both carrying plates filled with all my favourite breakfast foods, and my stomach gives a loud growl that has Oct laughing.

“Looks like our girl is hungry,” he says, reaching over and piling several bits of bacon on my plate, and then some eggs and waffles before drizzling it all with maple syrup.

“I think perhaps Ember might like to take it easy—” Odette starts, but Prince cuts her off with a growl.

“She eats what she wants.” He holds Odette’s stare, a battle of wills between them she loses, looking away first.

“Fine.” Her jaw is tight, and I wonder why she let him win, why she’s not the one in charge of what I eat anymore?

“Tuck in, Little Sis,” Oct encourages, and glancing down at my plate, I can’t help taking a deep inhale of all the delicious smells. There’s also something about having them cook it for me that makes my chest tight.

“While we’re all here,” Odette announces just as Cas places a plate of rye bread and avocado in front of her. My stomach clenches, wondering what fresh hell she’s about to bring. That seems to be her MO. “I wanted to let you all know that in two weeks’ time, we will have a gathering here. These people may help us out of our current…predicament, so we need to give a good impression.” She looks at each of the guys, and I feel there is something more behind what she’s saying, as my stepbrothers’ faces are all grim determination and thin lips. “Ember, honey.” I jerk my attention back to her. “I’ll need you to make sure the house is spotless, we want to impress our guests.”

“O–okay, I can do that,” I stammer, pushing my food around my plate, suddenly not hungry anymore. “We could always see about getting jobs, we could help—” Her tittering cuts me off, and I slam my lips shut.

“Oh, honey, you really are clueless about the world, aren’t you? Not your fault, of course, your father kept you very sheltered. No job you or the boys could get would pay for this house, or the lifestyle you like, your private tutors, et cetera. So I’m looking into other ways of generating income, and I think these people may help us.”

My cheeks flush, embarrassment making my throat dry. She’s right, I have been sheltered, allowed to do what I wanted and not have to worry about money as I know many people do. I am woefully unprepared for the real world.

“Of course,” I agree quietly, my head bowed as I stare at the breakfast that moments ago looked mouthwatering. Yet now I’m not sure I can take a single bite.

“Here, Pretty Thing. I made these waffles especially, it’s my dad’s recipe,” Kit urges, cutting off a corner, spearing it with his fork, and then holding it out to me. “Just try a little.”

I open my mouth, and he gives me a blinding smile as he places the morsel on my tongue. The sweetness of waffle combines with the smokiness of the syrup and I quietly moan as the flavours hit my tongue.

“You shouldn’t be allowed to make that kind of noise when I’m not inside you, Little Sis,” Oct purrs in my ear, and heat suffuses my entire body, leaving my pulse racing and allowing me to forget my earlier embarrassment.

Kit continues to feed me, not allowing me to take my fork and feed myself, and I must confess, although I never thought that I would let someone do something like this, I quite like it. The care he shows in making sure that I’m full and need nothing else.

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