Page 81 of Peyton's Price

“Wow.”

Liam needed another syllable. “You said that already. What do you think?”

He held his breath, waiting.

Trick winced. “Are you sure Peyton is doing this multi-partner thing because she wants to or because she wants to be with you?” He leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Could she be indulging you? What if she’s giving you what she thinks you want so she can be with you?”

Liam sighed, but he couldn’t fault his brother’s overprotectiveness. Patrickdidsee Peyton as a sister.

“I considered that, but I think if I weren’t in the picture, she’d still be with Matthias. He has his foibles, but he’s a good man. In many ways, he’s a better one than me. It may have torn my insides to shreds when I wasn’t here in the beginning, but he’s the only man I can think of who might deserve her.”

“Except for you,” Trick argued loyally.

Liam huffed. “Oh, I don’t deserve her. I have no illusions about that. But I won’t give her up. And I can’t give him up either. Matthias is a part of our relationship. I know that may be difficult to hear. I’m not asking for your approval—”

“My what?” Trick scowled. “Why are you worried about that?”

Liam considered him, taking in all the changes he’d noticed. Trick had the Tyler looks and charm, but his easygoing nature was a cover. Inside, he was a man of deeply held convictions and drive.

“I know polyamory isn’t mainstream, no matter what the TV shows portray. My relationship would never be sanctioned by the Church, and that’s something that’s important to you right now.”

“Wait, hold up.” Trick got up, moving down the table before taking a seat next to him. “Is that why you didn’t tell me about Matthias? Or about your three-way with him and Peyton?”

“Well…”

“Damn it,Liam. I go to church because I had the crap scared out of me when Tahlia was in trouble. It hasn’t changed my view on the world or how I feel about you.”

This was old territory. His brother had been exposed to a hefty dose of opium and God knew what else during an unfortunate episode with Tahlia. He’d had a vision—one he couldn’t explain at the time. But Liam could.

“You were hallucinating, but that’s beside the point. You didn’t know all this about me. I didn’t know how you were going to react.”

Liam hesitated. “You don’t think me being with a man shows…weakness?”

Trick frowned as if he didn’t understand.

“There are some in our business who would think that,” Liam pointed out. “They might not want to do business with us if they knew. It’s not exactly conventional.”

His brother made apftsound. “Those people can go fuck themselves. We’ve built our business doing things our way, and we’ve done a damn fine job so far. That’s not going to change because you finally found someone—or someones—you care about.”

Suddenly, Trick leaned forward. “But you do have a problem. A big one.”

Liam’s heart sank. “What is it?”

“You’re the one who has to tell Maggie you’re sleeping with her best friend. And that there’s another man in the mix.”

Liam coughed, choking on a guffaw. “You know, I think I’m going to let Peyton handle that.”

Trick tsked, shaking his head pityingly. “Coward.”

“Guilty as charged.” Liam laughed, standing and clapping his brother on the back. “Let me check if Matthias and Peyton are dressed. I want you to have dinner with us.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Smiling, Liam left the room with a spring in his step. He felt lighter and more relaxed than he’d been in a long,longtime.

Chapter 34

Peyton forced a smile at the lecherous creep trying to see down the front of her dress. Fortunately for Iver Kuznetsov, he was too short to get a particularly good look, although she was almost sorry about that. If only he would make his lewdness a little more obvious, she would feel justified in decking the man.

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