“You have no right to pick me up and cart me around like this. You especially have no right to do it while insulting me!”
One of his hands shifted to cup my ass and his eyes flared with heat.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I do have the right.”
Maddox grinned up at me.
“Might as well save your breath, little one. Believe me when I say that arguing with Lucien is like arguing with a brick wall.”
I tilted my head and stared down at Luc.
“Lucien? What are you, an ancient vampire?”
“He’s some sort of ancient.”
Luc scowled at Maddox.
“Fuck you.”
I bit my lip when he slid me down his body until I was standing on my own feet. There was a bulge halfway down that more than caught my attention. Still pressed against him, I glanced down and raised my eyebrows.
“You just walk around all day with that thing like it’s not a lethal weapon?”
The corners of his mouth tipped up.
“Can’t exactly take it off.”
“I mean, have you even tried?” I grinned up at him and then, realizing I was flirting, I cleared my throat and spun away. He’d carried me into the entry way of the mega-house and I glancedaround. “Where are all the priceless vases and portraits of royalty you’re distantly related to?”
“I make them keep those locked up in the vault.”
I spun around again and found an older woman watching me with an accessing look on her round face. She stood with so much poise that it made me straighten my own posture.
“Hello.”
She nodded at me. “
Hello, dear. My name is Ginger and I’m the household manager. While you’re here, if you need anything at all, find me and I’ll see if I can make it happen. I understand you’re with child. I’ll make a call and let you know when the doctor can come to examine you.”
“Um… Thanks? I’m Harley, by the way.”
“I know, dear. Dinner was served earlier but I’ve put together a nice selection of appropriate snacks.” She cut her eyes to Maddox and then Luc. “You three boys better be on your best behavior.”
My jaw was practically on the floor as I watched her turn and hurry away.
“Did she just handle y’all?”
Jace snorted.
“I can’t be handled.”
I cut my eyes to him.
“Pretty sure she just handled you.”
Maddox took my hand and pulled me up the grand staircase.
“Ginger’s been with our family since we were kids. She has two children older than us and grandkids that are already having babies. We’ve offered to retire her so many times that she now just hisses at us when we mention it.”