Page 84 of Reveal Me
I lean back in my chair at the head of James’s dining table, watching my family argue over everything from football to politics with the kind of contentment I’ve never experienced. One day soon, Layla will be here with us. My family will love her—once they get over the shock that is.
Avery is obsessed with the Royal family. She basically stalks them on Instagram. She’ll probably keel over when she finds out. My future sister-in-law is obsessed with my girlfriend, and she has no idea she’s about to get a front-row seat to the biggest royal scandal in decades. It’s hilarious—as well as exhilarating.
Layla is going to love Avery. And Scarlett, Ivy and Zara. From what she told me about her upbringing at the palace, she’s closer to Sabrina than Patricia. Her parents didn’t exactly shower any of them with love. My family will make up for that. I won’t even have to ask them to—they just will. The prospect makes my heart swell. I’m as sickeningly obsessed with her as my brothers are with their women. James wasright; it will be me next. The Queen wanted Layla to be engaged by her next birthday. If I get my way, she will be.
Jaxon assured Layla she’ll get seven-figures for each piece—especially the centrepiece that’s been haunting my thoughts since I first saw it. I’ve already instructed him that whatever anyone offers for that particular piece, I’ll double it. I always get what I want and this won’t be the exception. It’s going on my—I meanour—bedroom wall.
The thought sends satisfaction coursing through me.
‘More wine, Sean?’ Scarlett asks, already reaching for the bottle of our family reserve.
‘Why not.’ It’s too early to sneak up to Layla’s room. I won’t miss that fucking drainpipe when we go public, that’s for sure. I hold out my glass, smiling at nothing in particular.
‘Fuck. Me,’ Rian says from my right. ‘Who put that shit-eating grin on your face?’
‘One day soon, I might actually tell you.’ My lips stretch wider until I’m actually beaming.
‘Oh, tell us!’ Scarlett pours the wine. My focus falls to her slightly swollen stomach. Will that be Layla one day? I hope so. Though I’m nowhere near ready to share her yet. I’m going to have to install a creche at Reveal so someone can mind our kids while I have some kinky fun with their mother. Laughter bursts from my lips.
‘Oh, my God!’ Scarlett squeals, staring at me like I’ve got two heads. ‘You’re in love!’ She points an accusatory finger in my face. ‘Who is she?’
‘He—you mean.’ Rian scoffs.
Suddenly I have the attention of my entire family. Every eye in the room is on me. Even Zara’s abandoned her perpetual scrolling on TikTok to stare at me.
‘Come on, man. Spill.’ Caelon calls from the other side of the table.
I lift my glass to my lips and drink. I’d love to tell them.But it’s too soon. Apart from the risk that Rian might open his mouth and tell that gobshite friend of his, Anthony, or worse again, one of his fleeting conquests, Layla and I need to come up with a suitable backstory for how we met, because there’s no fucking way I can admit she snuck into my sex club and auditioned to be my submissive.
‘There is someone.’
‘Ahhh!’ Avery, Ivy, and Scarlett squeal in unison.
‘What’s with the secrecy? Why can’t you just tell us who she—‘James glances at Killian‘—or he is?’
‘Shehas to sort some things out before we can be together.’
Rian’s eyes narrow. ‘Isshemarried? You dirty dog! Even I haven't crossed that line…yet.’
‘She’s not married. It’s just… complicated.’
‘Do we know her?’ Scarlett demands, returning to sit on James’s knee at the other end of the table. She curls an arm around his neck, and he wraps his arms around her waist, his hand settling on her bump.
‘Not exactly.’ I shake my head, biting back another laugh. ‘Look, guys, I’m not playing twenty questions. I can’t tell you yet, but as soon as I can, I will. I can’t wait to introduce you.’ Every time I think about how their jaws will hit the floor, I snigger.
‘I still think it’s an elaborate cover-up story.’ Rian muses, eyeing me suspiciously. ‘You’re suddenly in love with a “woman”,’ he emphasises the word making quotation marks with his fingers, while simultaneously rolling his eyes, ‘Yet no one’s ever seen you with one. Where is she? Tied up in some sort of sex dungeon at your place?’
I almost choke on my wine. If only he knew how close to the truth he is.
‘Don’t be so crude, Rian,’ Zara scolds. ‘Unlike you, Sean is a gentleman.’
‘Thanks, sis.’ I flash Zara a guilty smile.
‘Respect his privacy,’ Killian says quietly. ‘Sean will reveal all in his own time.’
‘Here here,’ Avery says, reaching for Killian’s hand. Her phone buzzes on the table beside her. Her eyes flick to the screen. ‘OMG guys!’
‘What?’ Ivy demands.
