Page 6 of Reveal Me
As if to reinforce Rian’s remarks, the lift doors slide open to reveal James and Scarlett in a somewhat compromising position. Her back is against the mirrored wall, her legs are wrapped around my brother’s waist, and they’re making out like horny fucking teenagers instead of the responsible parents of two toddlers.
James drags his lips from his wife’s and fires a filthy look over his shoulder. She giggles, a blush creeping into her cheeks as he somewhat reluctantly slides her down the front of his body until her five-inch stilettos meet the floor.
‘Don’t stop on our behalf.’ Rian’s black eyes gleam. ‘I was enjoying the show.’
‘Careful, brother,’ James growls, snaking a protective arm around Scarlett’s waist.
‘We’re going for lunch, if you two want to join us?’ I offer politely, trying to keep the peace as usual.
Rian snorts. ‘I don’t think Nobu serves what James wants to eat.’
‘Shut up, dickhead,’ James spits good naturedly. His lips curve upwards as he glances lovingly at his wife. They only got back from honeymoon a month ago, and I’d bet my life he put baby number three in her while they were away. It was an eventful Christmas, so none of us got to ask, but thankfully things are back on an even keel now.
‘Thanks, but we’re going home for lunch.’ My sister-in-law smooths her pencil skirt over her thighs.
‘As I suspected.’ Rian smirks again as the elevator descends to the ground floor.
‘You’re just jealous.’ James elbows him in the ribs, none too gently.
‘I’m not even going to try to deny it.’ Rian exhales heavily.
The doors glide open. I motion for Scarlett and James to exit in front of us. ‘Have a great weekend.’
‘We’ll see you on Sunday, right?’ Scarlett flicks her ebony hair from her shoulders.
Fuck. I forgot about Sunday. We’ve all been summoned for a family lunch at their place. Yep—definitely another pregnancy announcement.
‘Absolutely.’ I adjust my tie. ‘Looking forward to it,’ I lie. I had hoped to spend the day getting acquainted with my new sub. There are formalities to go over, and I’d hoped to get the paperwork done ASAP, but it looks like the only person climbing me will be my boisterous but beautiful nieces and nephew.
We stroll through the city to Nobu, where we’re promptly taken to a booth table away from prying eyes. One benefit of being a Beckett— we can secure a table anywhere, anytime. Two neat Beckett’s Gold and half a bottle of Gavi take the edge off my little brother as we dine at Dublin’s finest Japanese restaurant.
Dublin’s elite dine all around us. The sound of conversation and laughter floats through the opulent room. As the waiter clears away our dessert plates, I glance at my watch.
‘You’re not leaving already?’ Rian cocks his head to the side.
‘I told you, I have plans tonight.’ I need to shower. I want to get to Reveal early and get some information from Larissa on the candidates and the agenda for the evening. It was heridea to make an entire production of it. I can’t wait to see what that production entails.
Rian stares at me, his eyes boring into me like he can’t quite work me out. ‘Have you got a woman on the go? Or a man?’
A laugh rumbles in my throat. ‘You’ll never find out. Not all of us like to boast about our conquests.’ I drain the remainder of the wine in my glass and signal the waiter for the bill.
‘I will find out.’ Rian raises a thick brow. ‘If it’s the last thing I do.’
It might just be the last thing he ever does, because if he were to stumble across my dark, kinky secret, there’s no way my little brother could keep it to himself. And it’s not just my secret to protect. Many of the members at Reveal are high profile faces, with connections—some of them dangerous ones. Case in point, my dear friend, Dominic Kincaid.
My reasons for keeping Rian away are for his own sake, as much as my own.
Chapter Four
LAYLA
‘Where are you going, Princess?’ Kat stops in her tracks at the sight of me at my dressing table, lining my eyes with a thick, coal pencil. She’s carrying freshly laundered flannel pyjamas and a cup of camomile tea. Rock ’n’ roll, right?
‘Out,’ I say simply. ‘And I need you to cover for me.’
‘Like that?’ Alarm stretches across her features. ‘If the Queen finds out…’ she trails off.
Kat is well used to my antics—here and in London. Over her five years in service, she’s hugged me, wiped my tears, and held my secrets along with her own. Oh, I have plenty of high society acquaintances—women who like to be seen with me, women who would have nothing to do with me if not for my title, but Kat—she’s the real deal. She’d lie for me, probably even die for me if I asked her to. She’s the only person who really understands the pristinely curated prison that’s my life.
