Page 39 of Red Flagged
“Hey!” Ivy lunged forward and scooped them up. “Don’twrinklethem, you bloody idiot!”
Kimi rolled his eyes. “I carried them all the way up here because this dickhead refused.” He hitched a thumb at Marco. “My arms were tired. Who fucking knew women’s skimpy clothing weighed so goddamn much? Especially for this high-maintenance, couture-demanding, drama-drenched fairy princess. Who, by the way, doesn’t even open any damn door herself if there’s a man nearby.”
I gasped, my palm flying to my chest. “Say it again, but slower,” I purred. “You’re really making me feel something.” I shot a sly glance toward Callum, currently drying his hands at the sink, watching the scene unfold with raised brows and a tense jaw. My stomach fluttered with something wicked. I could already feel the punishment brewing.
“Oh please,” Kimi said, rolling his eyes again. “You’re like one croissant short of causing an international incident.”
“She alreadyhas, mate,” Marco stated. “Didn’t you see that article about her? That photoshoot broke the internet.”
“Of course I’ve seen the bloody photos, you Italian priss,” Kimi snapped, his accent thickening in irritation. It made it sound a lot likeItalian prince, which technically, he was. Marco Bianchi, Italian royalty in everything but title. Poster boy for smirking in sin, parties, and silk shirts.
I glanced toward the kitchenette just in time to catch Callum’s reaction. His smile had vanished, eyes were flat, water bottle gripped a little too tightly in one hand.
Callum’s gaze was fixed on Kimi, posture loose but lethal, like a lion stalking into frame. Casual. Relaxed. Ready to pounce. The kind of energy that made Marco go still and Ivy raise a brow.
“Paying a little too close attention to your teammate who’s like a sister, aren’t you, mate?” Callum said, rounding the small breakfast bar slowly. His voice was calm. Way too calm. That clipped, low timbre that meant danger.
“Incest, Kimi,” Ivy sang. “You’ve said it yourself, she’s like a sister to you.”
“Exactly,” Kimi muttered. “And sisters are the most annoying creatures on earth.” He shot me a pointed look. “Especially the fashion-possessed French ones.”
Marco just grinned nonchalantly and slapped Kimi on the back, then stretched his arms behind his head. I didn’t miss how Ivy’s gaze tracked the movement.
Gotcha.
“Sorry, I would’ve helped, but these hands are insured. Can’t risk damaging the money-makers.”
Kimi scoffed. “Mine are too. They’re just not insured. They’reensured. To punch you next time you say something that dumb.”
I tucked my hair behind both ears. “Kimi, that’s actuallysoromantic. See, chivalry isn’t dead. He’s even defending his sister’s honor. Like a valiant little knight!”
Kimi wentbright red, ears glowing like brake lights as Ivyhowledand Marco looked smug as hell. Callum, meanwhile,frozemid-step, andnarrowed his eyesat me like he was debating which wall to press me against for that little stunt.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I said sweetly, resting a hand on my thigh. “You didn’t even carryonebag. My brave chevalier here lugged—” I looked at the pile Ivy draped over an armchair, “—eight.”
“You’re all unwell,” Kimi grumbled, clearly regretting every life choice that led him to this moment.
“Hey,” Ivy cackled. “Youvolunteeredto carry those.”
“I wasthreatenedwith emotional manipulation.”
“Oh, come on,” I said, patting the couch cushion next to me. “You know you wanted to. It was…” I paused, blinking. My brain hiccuped. Iknewthe word, but it had vanished again. “…galloping.”
Dead silence.
Marco made a strange wheezing sound.
“Galloping?” Ivy gasped. “Is that what you think chivalrous men do—gallop?”
“What is he, your white horse?” Marco croaked, holding his stomach. “Kimi the Trotting Hero!”
“I meantgallant!” I shrieked, throwing a pillow at her. “Read between the fucking lines for once!”
“It washeavy,” Kimi grumbled. “Next time I’m making Marco do it, precious hands or not.”
“Come sit, chevalier,” I said, patting the couch beside me. “You’ve earned a rest. And possibly a knighthood. But only if you stay and witness the outfit trials.”
Kimi groaned. Marco looked intrigued. Ivy rubbed her hands together like she was about to summon a demon.
