Page 120 of Vicious Games

I try not to read into what he meant by that and dig in. With the first forkful of scrambled eggs, I get a hit of salted butter and a hint of oregano, easily making these eggs the best I’ve ever eaten.

Lucky’s right. I could learn a lot from Lourdes.

Why? It’s not like you’ll be doing this type of cooking back at the orphanage. Or the convent.

I push those somber thoughts away and focus on the feast Lourdes has done for us. As I start to relax, the sound of slow footsteps pulls my attention to the door.

And thenhewalks in—Remus.

His presence hits the room like a gust of cold air, and I pretend not to notice the sudden temperature drop. Unlike the rest of us, Remus looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. For all I know, he could be just getting in from God knows where, doing God knows what.

He walks over to us with deliberately slow steps while his eerie ice-blue eyes sweep over me, then land on Lucky. “Morning, Romeo,” he says dryly, his voice low and clipped, thick with his London accent.

Lucky doesn’t look up from his coffee as Remus pulls a chair from across us.

“You look like shit.” Lucky snickers.

Remus cracks a humorless grin. “Cheers to that, my friend. Looking this knackered is an expected side effect of a night well spent. What about you? You look well and rested. Uneventful night, I wager.”

“It was eventful enough.” Lucky smirks, eyeing Remus with a smug grin.

“Spending the night writing poetry about a bird is not what I would call eventful, but to each his own.”

Their banter sounds biting, but I can tell it isn’t malicious in any shape or form. In fact, it sounds like it’s their way of showing affection to one another. It’s obvious that there is history between them. And a lot of it.

“You left early last night. I didn’t have time to introduce you to Frankie and Darius.” Lucky smiles at me and my brother.

Darius offers Remus a what’s up nod, too busy going to town on his bacon to pay the new guest much mind.

I wish I could say the same.

“Actually, we did meet last night, however briefly,” I inform, hoping that’s enough to stop Remus from recounting our awkward introduction.

“You did?” Lucky looks at me, his brows pulled together. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t know it was worth mentioning. Especially since you never mentionedhimto me,” I retort with too much bite to go unnoticed by the Brit.

“That’s right. Why didn’t you tell your girlfriend about me, Lucky? Afraid I might steal her away from you?” Remus’s eyes lock on me, unblinking.

Like hell, that would happen.

“First of all, fat chance,” Lucky says with a laugh. “And second, I probably didn’t mention you for the same reason your Irishprincipessadoesn’t know about me, time being precious and all.”

Remus scowls, and though I have no idea what Lucky just implied, it’s enough to shut him up. And for that, I’m grateful.

“Finished!” Darius hollers, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

“Good.” I smile at him. “Now go upstairs and brush your teeth.”

“Okay. Thanks, Ms. Lourdes. Breakfast was great.”

“I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Maybe you can persuade your big sister to bring you over to the house more often so I can fatten you up,” she says, playfully tapping her finger on his belly.

“Really?” His eyes twinkle with excitement at her before they fix on me. “Do you think Sister Margaretta would say yes to more sleepovers?”

“Fuck, I hope so,” Lucky groans under his breath while sliding his hand in between my thighs.

“No harm in asking, right?” I reply, feeling my cheeks flush.

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