Page 65 of Reign of Psychos

I chuckled. “Not sure any of us did. Landon’s new nickname for her is Psycho Barbie.”

Thea snorted. “She’ll love that.” Then she sobered. “Assuming she hasn’t had a complete mental breakdown overnight.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine, and if she’s not, Declan will get her the help she needs.”

This time, Thea openly snorted.

“I can picture Declan booking a therapist appointment already.” Then her smile fell away. “Shit, he’ll be mad with her for giving her guards the slip.”

I shrugged. “Probably.” Eden’s issues with her cousin were not my concern. Thea’s stomach growled again, louder this time, so I shoved the room service menu at her. “Pick what you want, and I’ll order it.”

She rolled her eyes and snatched it from me. “Fine!”

I hid a smile, happy that we’d repaired our broken relationship. It wasn’t perfect and there was still a long way to go before she fully trusted me once again, but I’d do whatever it took to ensure she let me back into her heart.

31

Cassian

One week later

Ismiled with satisfaction as I read the email from my lawyer. The house in Martha’s Vineyard was mine. 8,000 square feet set over three floors with outbuildings and several acres. The house’s former owner, a famous actor from the 70s, was a recluse. He’d won an Oscar and then disappeared from public life after his wife died in an accident.

I was well aware the property needed work, but the size and location were perfect. It even had a private beach, which I knew Thea would love.

“You look happy,” Landon commented. “Has Daddy been papped with hookers?”

“Sadly not, but I live in hope.” Dadhadbeen quiet. It would be nice to think it was because he’d finally realized he couldn’tcontrol me, but experience told me that was unlikely. No doubt he was busy putting plans in motion to force me back into the fold. The sooner I got Mom out of Lassitor’s clinic, the better.

Thea walked in and Landon immediately jumped up like the lap dog he was. The idiot was smitten with her. Utterly gone. Thea had been the only person surprised by his declaration of love when we first arrived in London.

“A cup of tea, gorgeous girl?” He pulled her close, making her laugh as he licked her neck. “Yum, you taste like popcorn. Have you been using that moisturizer from my mom?”

Isobel had sent Thea a package of all-natural beauty products from a Swiss range she favored, delivered to our suite at Claridges yesterday morning.

“Yes, it’s amazing!”

“I can confirm it is amazing. Just like you.” He ignored Dario’s loud scoffing sounds from the sofa. “Now sit down and let me fetch you a cup of herbal tea. This one’s a new blend.”

“Hmm, it better be nicer than the last one you forced me to try. That one tasted like ass.”

Landon gasped. “Like ass? Have you been trying new things in the bedroom without me? I’m hurt!”

Thea giggled loudly. The sound of her amusement washed away all my lingering tension. Torrance was dead. Francesco wasn’t getting out of prison in his lifetime. Konstantin Marku was the only remaining threat on the board, other than my father.

“I haven’t been trying anything,” she grumbled once her amusement faded. “None of you have touched me in a week.”

“Baby, we don’t want to hurt you. You’re still bruised.”

“A few bruises don’t matter!” I smiled as she stomped over to the sofa and sat down huffing loudly.

“You need to be mindful of the baby,cara.”

“Don’t you fucking start, Dar!”

I looked up as Kyril walked in, his hair wet from the shower.

“Oh good, you’re here,” I said. “Give Milo a shout, would you? I have shit I need to tell you all, and I don’t feel like saying it twice.”

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