Page 73 of Contract of a Billionaire
“I know,” she muttered. “Maman already got me an appointment to register him for a few hours of daycare. She said it’s good for socializing.” Was it? I’d have to look it up. Jesus, I knew very little about kids. Would I have to learn how to change diapers? “God, I can’t believe I’m back home. Maman kept my room exactly the way it was.”
“Mine too?” Branka was shocked.
“Yes.” Autumn pushed her hand through that thick mane of hers. “We should have come back earlier but-” she cut herself off. “Anyhow, so not sure how long this will last.”
“What did Alessio want to talk to you about?” Branka asked her curiously.
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “My photos.”
The look on Branka’s face clearly showed she didn’t believe her. “Yeah, because every man wants to talk about arts and crafts.”
Autumn shot her an annoyed look. “Well, I guess your brother does. Maybe he has an artistic soul.”
Branka rolled her eyes. “Yeah, his arts and crafts end at making furniture and torturing– “ My sister would be the death of me. “Anyhow, he likes to make furniture. Although I don’t remember the last time I saw him do that.”
“He builds furniture with his own hands?” Autumn asked her, disbelief clear on her face. Branka nodded. “Geez, I didn’t know he’s that good with his hands.”
“You should test out his hands,” Branka muttered. “Unless you already have.”
“What the fuck are we talking about?” Autumn grumbled.
“My brother’s hands,” Branka answered innocently with that look on her face I have come to know so well. It had trouble written all over it. “And what is it with the two of you? I can’t quite decide whether you can’t stand each other or want to fu– “
“You better not say it,” Autumn hissed her warning. “I know we buried your father today, but if you say it, I swear I’m gonna lose my shit.”
Branka grinned. It was all the challenge she needed. “What? Feeling a bit horny? Your last date didn’t go so well.”
Her last date? Fury shot through me.
“Branka– “
“I just want to know what’s going on,” Branka grumbled. “There had to be more behind my brother insisting you ride with him.”
“Fine, he talked about my photographs and wanted to know what we’ve done for the past four years.”
“Maybe he’s fishing for information?” Branka pondered and my gut warned there was something my little sister was hiding. “What have you told him?”
“Nothing.” Autumn sounded too defensive. “There was nothing to tell.”
“Really?” Branka watched her critically. “Like absolutely nothing to tell?”
“Should I have told him all my dreams and desires?” Autumn retorted sarcastically.
This time Branka laughed. “Yeah, like that one dream you had in high school.”
Autumn rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to be a bit more specific. Those dreams changed weekly. Daily sometimes.”
They both chuckled. “True,” Branka agreed. “The one where you insisted you’d only marry a local guy because you wanted to stay close to your parents. And then that prick called you narrow-minded and I had to punch him for you.”
I certainly hoped Branka was joking but by the way Autumn choked on her drink told me she wasn’t. “He ran to his mommy crying.” They both snickered. “The only reason nothing was said was because of who your brother was.”
Branka shook her head. “No, they didn’t call anyone because of who my father was. Alessio is scary but he always makes me do the right thing. My father was a different story.”
Both of them remained quiet for a moment.
“Why don’t you marry Alessio?” Branka suggested.
This time Autumn did choke on her drink. “Yeah, that would be a hard no.”
