Page 21 of Silent Secrets

“It’s the dining room. It’s specifically for eating in, so eating anywhere else would be wasteful,” Hunter says, his disdain clear.

I narrow my eyes. “Look, asshole. I’ve had about enough of your shit. I get that you don’t want to be here and that I ask what you deem to be stupid questions, but there are some things that you need to get.

“I’m your future queen and if I’m asking a question, it’s so that I understand my role or how something works. So you need to get the fuck over yourself and start showing me some damn respect when I ask you something. I might not know much about this world yet, but I will, and I will be a damn good queen because I fucking care to be.”

All four of them remain silent for a moment before Marcos and Caiden burst out in laughter.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

I turn my glare on Caiden. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You and Hunter and the ensuing standoffs. It’s going to be fun watching the two of you butt heads, that’s all. I didn’t mean to make you angry, sweet girl.”

What the fuck had he just called me?

In my confusion, I forget my anger as I stare at Caiden. I don’t understand him. He’d tried to convince me to leave Sorlphi, told me I couldn’t handle what was being thrown at me, and now he’s sitting here joking with me? Calling me pet names? Is he on drugs? Maybe he has two different personalities. I shake my head at the thought, hating myself for even joking about something like that—mental illness is never something to joke about.

Not cool, Hadley. Not cool.

Finally, I look away from him and glance at the others. Marcos is still grinning at me while Hunter narrows his eyes, gaze never leaving me. I tear my eyes away from him and when I glance at Kai, he finally meets my eyes. I can see the shock and approval in his eyes.

I flush at the approval and then mentally berate myself. Why the hell do I care so much about what these men think of me? I really need to stop thinking with my vagina before she gets me in trouble.

Before I can say something that I’m sure will embarrass me, a servant sets a plate in front of me and lifts the lid. As the smell rises, I’m practically drooling. I ignore the others and cut into my steak, moaning as the taste bursts along my tongue. It’s been much too long since I’ve had steak, let alone one this good.

I swallow down two more bites before I realize that there are four sets of eyes locked on me once more. “What? Have you never seen a woman actually eat before?” I bite out as I glance between them.

“It’s more like I haven’t heard a woman make those noises outside of my bed before.”

My eyes widen as I realize Marcos was referring to my moans. Had it really sounded that sexual? Considering how good this steak is, I guess it could have. I shrug, ducking my head as I flush.

“It’s a really fucking good steak.”

“Oh, we can tell.” Marcos smirks, gesturing for me to continue.

“I can’t if you’re all just going to sit there and stare at me like idiots.”

This time it’s Kai who laughs, a quiet sound that I immediately want to hear again. I turn to him with a grin.

“So now you’re going to start too?”

Kai’s smile forms slowly, but it transforms his face.

Holy shit, he’s really fucking hot.

Kai’s eyes widen, a flush forming over his cheeks as he ducks his head again. I frown as I glance over at Caiden to find him barely holding in his laughter.

“What?”

“Oh, sweet girl, you totally said that out loud.”

Oh, fuck me. Where the hell has my filter gone? What was it about these men that just made me lose all fucking sense? I guess this is what happens when you’re not used to interacting with people on the regular. How fucking embarrassing.

“Well, he is fucking hot,” I say with my head held high.

“Yes, he is.”

I tilt my head as I consider Caiden. He lifts his own chin and I can see the expectation in his eyes—the expectation of being judged, of being hated. I’ve had that look in my own eyes before. I understand it, because I’ve lived it.

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