Page 150 of Doubts & Fears

“Are you calling me a drama queen?” I asked, feeling offended.

“What was it you said about me? If the shoe fits, I should wear it?”

I snapped my head around, spotting Sebastian Caruso on the monitor.

I hadn’t been paying attention. Nik must have called him. He was referring to my comment the other morning, and I groaned. “This is a family meeting. What are you doing here?” I huffed, still upset with him. I was going to have to talk to Marcel later today, and I was not looking forward to that.

“Tiny tot, I’m more family than you are, so I suggest you watch your tone. Your Kings may enjoy a little sass, but me, not so much,” he said sternly, making me madder.

“For someone with the last name Caruso, you should be familiar with the saying ‘snitches get stitches.’ You should take heed. Shameful being Italian and not holding to the Omertà,” I said.

“You’re assuming because my last name is Caruso, I’m Italian?”

“Nope, no assumption. I did my research. Your family hails from Sicily. Your parents moved to London in the early nineties before you were born. You have a sister named Isabella.”

“Watch yourself. Isabella is off-limits,” he warned.

“I didn’t research her. I’m not stupid, nor am I a glutton for punishment. You’ve seen Allison, right? I already have to share with her.” I tried to remain calm. “Not to mention, I don’t want to know how beautiful your sister is. From an earlier conversation with Marcel, I know she apparently has my Kings’ hearts. Not even Jenna and Alisha had that. So I’ll pass on that kind of torture, thank you very much,” I huffed, but saw him visibly relax.

Pangs of jealousy hit hard when he didn’t deny that she had their hearts. I wanted their hearts more than anything in the world, despite the stupidity of it.

“Look, Caruso, it was not a very nice thing you did, snitching on us. It wasn’t like you didn’t enjoy it.” I crossed my arms as my angerflared once more.

Alek dragged me in front of him. His eyes spoke volumes. Uh oh, I’d messed up by being rude to Sebastian. Pulling me over his lap, he lifted my dress and smacked my ass five times, quick and hard. I yelped and squirmed as my ass burned. He stood me back up and turned me toward the screen with a nod.

Immediately, I understood what I needed to do. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I wish you would have told Nik if you were concerned about my behavior instead of Marcel.”

I offered the handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes miles away a small smile. He returned one, making me feel more at ease.

“You know how Marcel can be, and I’m still a little upset because now he wants to talk all about it. He can be very sneaky sometimes when he asks questions.” My face was still flushed from embarrassment, and my ass stung.

“Does this mean you have secrets?” Sebastian asked, his voice softer now.

“Every woman has secrets. Your mother, sister, and your precious Allison will have a few. Wait and see.”

“Yes, Allison. That was another thing Ivan wanted to talk about and is the reason Sebastian has joined us,” Alek piped up.

“Did her passport come? When does she leave?” I asked excitedly, as they all laughed.

“In a hurry to get rid of her, tiny tot?”

“Not going to be sad to see her go,” I said honestly, earning another round of laughter.

“I understand you also expressed that you aren’t the least bit sad she hasn’t been allowed to come in the last two weeks.”

This was quickly becoming a Q and A session with Sebastian as he rapid-fire asked me questions.

“I may or may not have said something like that. Not to mention she signed up for it. She’s a big girl. Truthfully, I can’t remember it word for word. The Blade and I were busy.”

“Ivan, why don’t you help her out?”

“Kinsley wanted to know if it was wrong that she was happy that Allison doesn’t get to come.” He winked.

“In my defense, I meant that I was happy that I get to. Again, she consented to the no-orgasm deal. Complete foolishness on her part, but hey, to each their own.” I shrugged.

“She did indeed consent. In fact, she made a similar statement to yours. What was it Kinsley said, Alek? She 100 percent consents. She’s all in on anything,” Sebastian remarked.

“Our little warrior said those exact words,” Alek confirmed, and my heart thumped in my chest.

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