“I’m fine. I was lounging by the pool, completely oblivious, as usual, when our father called me. I don’t even know how he got my number.” Epi chuckles, but it doesn’t hold an ounce of warmth.
“How is he?” Leti asks.
“He’s worried, but he trusts the men he hired to protect us. And, well, I guess he was right. We are safe and secure.”
I can’t stop myself from squeezing Leti’s hand.
For the first time, she lifts her chin and grants me a small smile.
Damn, what I wouldn’t give to make her smile for real all the time. This woman needs some affection and kindness in her life. She needs to hear words of love and affirmation on the daily until she not only expects them; she demands them. She deserves to be adored, worshipped, and treated like the queen she’s meant to be—and fuck, why is my mind going to places it is not supposed to go?
Leti has the soft shell over a hardened demeanor that attracts guys like me. I want to protect her while peeling those layers away until I get to the squishy, gooey, warm center of her heart—one she is desperate to give, but too jaded after years of mistreatment to share.
“Leti, when this is over—” Epiphany pauses and then clears her throat, “—can we hang out? I know I’ve been a horrible sister. I’d like to make some changes and get to know my twin.”
I can feel the fear in Leti build as she tamps down the elation threatening to burst from her throat. She wants nothing more than a close connection to her sister, but she’s terrified, too.
Leti replies in an even, almost monotone voice, her small palm sweating in my huge hand. “Of course we can hang out. Whatever your schedule allows, Pip, I’ll make myself available.”
“The only thing on my schedule is hanging out with my sister. I know you don’t believe me because I’ve fucked you so many times in the past, but I’m going to prove it to you, Leti. We can hang out at the house or go on a vacation somewhere—whatever you want—but it will be just you and me. No cameras. No live casts. No Instagram pictures. Just me and my sister.”
Leti giggles, her hand relaxing in mine. “Okay. I believe you.”
“I can’t wait to hug you again,” Epiphany says, her voice growing small on the line.
Without a word, Leti drops my hand and jumps to her feet, taking the phone with her as she runs down the hall into her bedroom. The door closes, and we are left with an uncomfortable silence filled withwhat the fuck just happenedwritten all over our faces.
Caiden exhales a breath that I’m betting he’s been holding for the past several minutes. “We’re in trouble.”
Soren nods, but says nothing.
I rub my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s not possible.”
“When has anything ever come easy to us?” Caiden rubs his hands on his thighs and stands up, grabbing the untouched cup of coffee and walking back into the kitchen.
“She’s an innocent. Not to mention, our brutalized client.”
“Who better than us to take care of her?” Caiden places his palms on the edge of the counter and looks up at me, his voice just loud enough to reach our ears.
Shaking my head, I have every intention of shooting him down, but I can’t stop the words as they leave my lips. “No one.”