Page 44 of Broken King

My answer seems to be funny to him because he gives me a big grin. “Let me guess. Kindergarten. I can’t think of a more perfect person for that job than you.”

Now I know he’s making fun of me. He never did like me, so I guess it’s good to see nothing’s changed. If only the same could be said for his younger brother.

“Actually, it’s third grade,” I say as I stand up to leave.

I don’t give him a chance to comment on my correction of his mistake and take my towel with me to get changed back into the clothes I wore here today. This visit has been unsuccessful on so many levels, so maybe it’s time for me to go home.

“Kate, are you going inside? Can you tell Matthias I’d like to see him?” Ava calls after me.

“Sure.”

Just as I’m walking into the living room, I look back and see Sabrina strike up a conversation with Marius. I can’t think of a more perfect couple. He’s annoying, and she’s irritating.

A match made in heaven.

Disgusted, although I’m not sure why, I take a detour upstairs and knock on Ronan’s door. I should just leave and never come back here, but I guess I need to find out a few things before I give up.

He opens the door and seems confused to see me. How nice. One brother can’t think of anything but busting my ass about being a nice person, and another can’t figure out why I’d be standing in front of him at all.

I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t help but notice he moves his right arm behind him again. I hate that he thinks he needs to do that in front of me.

“Why does your brother hate me?” I ask, figuring I’ll just dive in head first and not bother with manners. Not exactly my style, but when I get flustered, all the nice in me goes out the window.

“Matthias? I don’t think he hates you. In fact, if you’re not Ava, Theo, or Matty, he barely knows anyone else is alive.” He stops and then in a low voice adds, “Well, except for me lately.”

“No, not Matthias. Marius. He’s never liked me, and today just proved it. What is his problem with me, Ronan? Tell me before I never come to this house again.”

When I say that, he winces, like just hearing I’m going away forever hurts him. “Marius is here?”

“Please answer the question. I’d like to know.”

Ronan shrugs and shakes his head. “I don’t know, Kate. He used to tease me about how nice you were, but I think that was probably more against me than you.”

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to settle for that answer.”

I turn to leave, but he says, “He won’t be here forever. Maybe you can come back when he’s gone.”

Without turning around, I throw my hands up in the air, nearly tossing the towel down the steps. “Why bother? The only person who seems to genuinely want me here is Ava.”

He doesn’t say anything more, so I hurry downstairs to the guest bathroom where my clothes are hanging on the back of the door. I quickly get dressed, but then I remember I forgot to tell Matthias that Ava wants to see him. Sorry I got sidetracked by Marius and his bullshit, I rush down the hall and knock on the office door.

The oldest King looks up from some papers on his desk and gives me an awkward smile. “Oh, hi, Kate. What’s up?”

As he stands to come toward me, I answer, “Ava wanted me to tell you she wants to see you. She’s outside with Marius, Sabrina, and Theo. I have to go.”

“Wait,” he says before catching up to me not two steps down the hallway.

I turn around and see a far more serious expression staring back at me. Maybe this brother hates me too.

He lowers his voice and says, “I’d like to talk to you. Can you come into my office? I’d prefer to have some privacy for this conversation.”

Since I don’t believe I’ve spoken more than ten words on any occasion to this King, I’m intrigued and a little uncomfortable, but I nod and walk back to his office. When he closes the door,I’m really feeling strange. What could he possibly want to speak to me about?

Pointing at the black leather couch just inside the door, he asks, “Would you like to sit down?”

“No, I’m okay. Is something wrong?”

His expression is downright somber, so I naturally assume either I’ve done something to offend him or there’s some other problem that relates to me. He probably wants to say that it would be better if I didn’t come over anymore. Ronan probably told him to say that.

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