Page 38 of Covenant

When I make it down to the kitchen, Matthias is sitting at the island, Jules humming happily by the stove, something delicious cooking. I can smell it. My stomach rumbles in appreciation.

Matthias makes a big show of checking his watch. “You made it on time.”

Yeah, like he wasn’t watching the seconds tick by, hoping he could follow through on his threat. I don’t respond, ignoring him completely. That’s my plan—pretend he doesn’t exist, plant vegetables for Jules, and grow weed to get high.

Brilliant. I’m so fucking smart. I feel myself puff up internally as I take a seat as far away from Matthias as I can. His gaze hits mine and his lips twitch. I want to throw something at his head. I eye a muffin but don’t want to insult Jules by tossing it at his stupid face.

I resist the urge.

Instead, I focus on Jules, engaging him in conversation as he whips up something that smells amazing. Something wealthy and rich. Something I haven’t been able to afford in ages.

“It’s honeymoon eggs,” Jules says, and I roll my lips between my teeth.

“I don’t know what that is.”

“Of course not, but you will taste it and love it, yes?” Jules grins at me, and I can’t help but smile back.

Damn this guy. It’s literally impossible to be grumpy around him.

I know Matthias sees my grin too because he huffs a small laugh at my expense. And look at that—I’m that stormy cloud once again.

I’m considering words to throw at Matthias, something acerbic and witty, when someone else appears in the kitchen. His dark hair is slightly chaotic, his coat half hanging on, tie draped across his shoulders. He looks like a younger Matthias but more wild. There’s something unbidden and mysterious about him.

Matthias tenses as the man draws nearer, making me instinctively warm toward the stranger. Anyone who gets Matthias’s hackles up is all right with me.

“Hey, big brother!” the guy says with a crooked grin. He slaps Matthias on the back and Matthias grunts, his eyes darting over to me. I’m curious, does Matthias’s family know the truth about us? Do they even know he’s married now? Matthias is doing this for an inheritance, so maybe they don’t. They weren’t at the wedding, but then again, neither was Jackson.

Matthias’s back is as stiff as a board. “What are you doing here?”

The man’s grin gets wider, like he knows he’s pissing Matthias off and he loves it. “Inviting myself for breakfast. Had a bit of a bender last night and need some sustenance. And you know Jules does it for me. Besides, I couldn’t wait another second to meet your husband.”

Well, that clears up whether he knows about the marriage. The only question now is if he thinks it’s real or not.

Matthias sighs as his brother takes a seat right next to me, holding out his hand. “I’m Harley. And you must be Wy.”

“Wyatt,” Matthias growls, shooting daggers at Harley. “Only I call him Wy.”

“And I’ve asked you not to, repeatedly,” I say.

“Yeah, he doesn’t really listen,” Harley says, speaking behind his hand, conspiratorially. “Doesn’t talk much either, unless it’s about you. Can’t shut him up then. Been the same for fucking years now—Wy this and Wy that.”

If my brows went any higher, they’d form part of my hairline. Matthias, meanwhile, has buried his head in his hands.

Harley continues, either oblivious to or uncaring about the effect his words are having on his brother. “Anyway, I’m the baby of the family. The one they coddle and pay off.”

Matthias lifts his head to glare at Harley. “Perhaps if you were better behaved, we wouldn’t need to coddle you…or clean up your messes.”

I ignore what Harley said about Matthias always talking about me. Having my own little brother, I recognized it for what it was—one sibling trying to get a rise out of the other.

Well, if that’s how Harley wants to play it, I’m more than happy to help. Sleeping naked in Matthias’s bed didn’t get under his skin.

Perhaps chatting with his brother will.

“Nice to meet you, Harley,” I respond, offering Harley a wide smile along with my hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

I haven’t. He spoke about them generally, but I never knew more than that. It was an open secret, just like I never spoke about my life. But I can pretend. I can fucking lie.

“Oh, have you? How nice of you, Matty-poo,” Harley says with a laugh. “He pretends his family doesn’t exist most days. He’s mortified by us. Says I’m unhinged.”

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