Page 162 of Sire
“I resumed Operation Grovel For Alena like you told me to, and it was working.”
“Yeah, I saw you two sneak away at Axel and Ruby’s wedding.”
“Exactly.” He stacks his tactical boots on the coffee table. I don’t care. All the kings do it. “We had some hot, kinky nights, and I thought we were back together, that we were good. But then she said we needed to talk.”
“Uh-oh.”
“No, shit,” he agrees. “I don’t have to lie to Alena anymore. I was fine with it, answering all her questions about us, the kings and queens, about Delphine, too, and how she trained me.”
Don’t do it.
I’m dying to raise my hand and blurt questions about how Delphine trained Loch, too. God, I bet it was hot. But I suspect that’s not the burning issue.
“Honesty’s the best policy.” Instead, I win the gold medal in hypocrisy, but I’m trying to help him.
“Yeah,” he glowers, “but then Alena gotrealfucking honest with me.”
The hinge of his granite jaw flexes.
Usually, Loch’s lush lips smirk, relaxed, while his sexy blue eyes murder. It’s a lethal, panty-melting family trait the brothers share. Forget how well-endowed they are, too. Their look alone could inseminate.
But tonight, it’s not seductive. It’s scary.
“Honest about what?”
“Her first,” he seethes.
“Okay,” I ease. “Almost every woman has a first. I mean, unless she’s a nun, and even then… It’s not a crime.”
His nostrils flare. “Is it a crime if her first is your brother?”
Cue heart seizing. “What?”
It’s not Sire.It’s not Sire.I know he protects his brothers’ secrets—I don’t mind—but between us, there are none. Especially about sex and his past partners. Sire would’ve told me.
So, which one is it?
Not Nick. He’s gay. Is it Jace? Or Grant? I mean, Grant’s got the freest Willy of all the kings, but even he isn’t dumb enough to fuck Nash’s daughter.
Hell, Loch risked his life to get Nash’s blessing, and Nashstillgrowls about it. To Nash, Alena is like a plastic Barbie doll with no holes.
Carefully, I venture, afraid I’ll poke the Grizzly named Loch. “Who was her first?”
He shakes his head like he can’t believe it, baring his teeth like he’s ready to maul.
“Axel.”
The room starts spinning. I grab the sofa. “Axel?” I gasp. “Like, Alena’s godfather, Axel? Like, Nash’s grumpy sidekick, Axel? Like our king? Our leader? Axel?”
Loch huffs, ready to attack, “Like my big brother, who I’ve always trusted, who’s been lying to me for years. Yes,Axelwas Alena’s first fuck.”
Holy second-worst-lie-in-this-family drama. What would make Axel do it? Fuck his best friend’s daughter?
And forget about his best friend. Look at his not-so-little brother. The rage churning with pain in Loch’s eyes is scary. I fear what he’ll do.
So, what would Sire do?
“Okay, hang on. I need some context.” I pet Onyx. It calms me. “When was this?”
