Page 58 of Reveal Me
I shoot her a clipped smile, and she drifts away, though not nearly as fast as I’d like.
‘Not posh enough for you?’ Ben teases. ‘Or not dirty enough?’
‘I think a certain royal spoiled me for anyone else.’ I shake my head.
Turns out, having a predictable submissive who follows the rules isn’t nearly as satisfying as having a dangerous blackmailing one. In one calculated move, Princess Layla made it clear that everything I thought I should avoid in a woman, is everything I actually crave.
Ben snorts.
‘Time to go,’ I decide, towelling off. ‘There’s something I need to do.’ Something hasn’t been sitting right with me. Something I need to rectify.
‘Other than the Princess?’ Ben whispers and I thump his arm.
‘Don’t push it.’
As we head toward the exit, I catch sight of myself in the mirrored wall. Something’s different. There’s an edge I haven’t seen before, a restlessness that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with a woman I can’t have.
‘I need to speak with Killian.’ As we walk toward the Bentley, I pull out my phone. A shitload of emails. Fourstupid memes from Rian. Nothing from Layla, of course. She’s probably negotiating a marriage contract with Prince Fucking Charming whilst I’m losing million-pound forestry acquisitions because I can’t stop wondering if there’s a way we can be together—really be together—and if she’d actually want to.
One more day until I see her.
Twenty-four hours.
I can manage.
Probably.
I pull up Killian’s contact details as I slide into the back of the Bentley. The Princess’s security guards are ridiculously slack. If she can sneak out so easily, what’s to stop someone sneaking in? I want eyes on her at all times—and eyes on her “suitable” fucking suitor should he make an appearance. I did some digging. Ashworth is as ruthless as he is resourceful. Layla needs real protection, not men who stand back and watch her being pawed at.
Killian answers immediately. ‘Sean.’
‘Where are you?’ He could be in the Beckett Enterprise building, but more than likely, he’s working from his home office. He’s been doing that a lot since he hooked up with Avery.
For a man who seemed like he’d never settle down, he’s done a full one eighty. He’s even walking around with fucking hearts in his eyes. It’s… confronting. Out of all of my brothers, I was certain Killian would keep me company in my eternal bachelor status. Given how much Rian puts himself about, it’s only a matter of time before he knocks someone up and our parents force him into doing the right thing.
‘At home, why?’
‘Just checking you’re not surrounded by our prying, pedantic brothers.’ I pause for a second. ‘I have a request.’
‘Go on,’ he drawls. Killian is not a man of many words. Henever has been, although he’s opened up a good bit since he got with Avery.
‘I need extra security detail. Maybe eight more men. And more cameras.’ I stare out the window, watching the city lights whizz by, praying my brother hasn’t developed the same meddlesome curiosity about my private life as Rian, Caelon and James.
‘Is everything ok?’ Killian’s voice is sharp with concern.
‘Everything’s fine. It’s…’ There’s no point lying to him. Killian has the means to find out pretty much anything he wants. The fact he doesn’t pry into my private life is something I’ve always been grateful for. ‘It’s for a friend.’
‘A friend,’ he repeats, not entirely convinced. ‘You would tell me if you were in trouble?’
‘Of course.’
‘I’ll have them with you in the next hour.’ He hangs up without asking any further questions.
I lied.
I am in trouble.
Just not the type he’s referring to.
