Page 38 of The Billionaire's Bride
"None of your bloody business," Edward snaps.
"Much as it pains me to do so," I scratch my jaw, "I am forced to agree with Edward on this."
Saint shakes his head, "Afraid that’s not how it works, ol’ chap."
"What the fuck do you mean?"
"He means, since the two of you haven’t been able to sort things out, we are going to have to step in."
"What the fuck?" Edward glares around at the five of them, "It’s best you wankers stay out of this."
There’s silence, then all of them burst out laughing.
"Fuckin’ hell." Saint pretends to wipe a tear from his eye. "You guys hear what dear Edward, here, just said?"
"Yeah," Damian leans forward in the couch, "anyone want to remind him how he was part of each and every intervention on behalf of the five of us?" He turns to me, "Not you, of course, considering you missed all the fun…. Not," he mutters. "Anyway," he turns his gaze on Edward, "sorry, buddy, you’re going to have to man up and take your share of advice on your love life… Which, considering the mess the two of you have gotten into... I’d say, should be welcome."
Edward glowers back.
"Or not." He raises his shoulders. "Doesn’t matter, either way." He jerks his chin at Weston, who leans forward on the balls of his feet.
"Fact is," Weston looks between us, "you guys have two choices."
"We do?"
"Yep." He nods and begins counting off on his fingers. "Shut up and listen to us or... Shut up and listen to us."
"Har, har." I deadpan, then walk over to lean against the bar. "Go on, get it out of your system."
Saint drums his fingers on the back of his chair. "So," he turns to Edward, "you love her?"
"What the fuck?" I growl at the same time as Ed.
"I’m talking to Edward," Saint says in a mild voice. "Go on, Ed, I asked you a question."
"What the hell kind of a question is that?" he objects.
"Answer the question, you piece of shit," Sinner growls.
Edward shoots him a dirty look, then turns to Saint, "Of course, I do, you dickwad. Not that it’s any of your business."
"Hmm." He rubs his chin, then turns in my direction, "And you?"
"Me?"
He nods. "Do you love her?"
"Fuck off, you fucktard."
"Very original." Saint chuckles. "Still doesn’t answer my question."
I bunch my fingers at my sides, taking a breath, then another, "I am not going to tell you what I feel."
"Why not?" Damian frowns. "It’s not anything to be ashamed of, soldier."
"We’ve all been through it." Arpad nods.
"Consider it another coming-of-age rite," Weston adds.
