Page 9 of Fallen Legacy

“How many times have I told your brother about keeping his conquests out of the house?” his dad says with a deep frown on his face.

I blush profusely. “Oh no, Damon and I, we’re just friends. I’m not…one of his conquests.” I clear my throat, feeling all kinds of awkward. “We go to school together.”

“You attend the academy?” He asks me, his brows arching in surprise.

I understand his surprise. I’m not exactly dressed like an academy girl. I’m in my old blue leggings and a weathered old Nike T-shirt. “I do.”

“You don’t know who she is, do you?” Milly grins at her dad then points a finger my way. “Eliza’s the new girl everyone’s talking about. The long-lost Aces heir.”

The man’s gaze sharpens at the mention of the Aces. “You’re the Alderman heiress?”

I push my hands behind my back, holding them together, conscious that I am fidgeting under their scrutiny. “I guess I am.”

“Well, well, this is an interesting turn of events.” He takes out his phone and puts it to his ear. “I’m home and there’s a stranger in the house who your sister says is an ace.” He continues to study me as he listens to the other caller. “We’ll speak further when you get home. Did you collect today?” He nods his head as he listens. “See you shortly.”

“Will you be staying for tea?” Milly asks me enthusiastically.

If it felt awkward before, it now feels extremely uncomfortable. “Actually, Damon has been letting me stay here. I kind of moved out because of a family disagreement.”

His dad arches a brow. “Did you now.”

“I can go find somewhere else if it’s a problem,” I offer, pointing towards the door behind them.

“Nonsense,” his father says, suddenly smiling at me. “If you’re Damon’s friend, then you are more than welcome here. I have some calls to make. I look forward to hearing more about you, Eliza, and why you upset dear old Wilbur.”

* * *

I wakeup at six in the morning and my stomach churning again. I think I must have picked up a stomach bug. My stomach lurches when I sit up in bed. “Shit.” I race for the en-suite, barely making it in time before my stomach empties. I stay there for a couple of minutes, hugging the toilet to make sure there’s no more. I stand and I rinse my mouth under the tap. Stripping out of my bed shorts and vest, I step into the shower, letting the warm water spill over me. As I close my eyes, my mind drifts to the last time I shared a shower with Archer. His hands soaping my body before things became heated, and he nudged my legs apart and entered me from behind. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of my memories of him. I miss him. I miss his body and the feel of his lips and his hands on my skin. I miss the way he moans my name as he comes inside me. I rest my head on the tiles and close my eyes and give in to the need that the memories of him have created. When I come, it’s his hands I imagine on me.

I head downstairs in my uniform, and I falter in my strides when I find all the Silver family seated at the dining table.

“You’re up. Come join us,” Milly urges me with a welcoming smile.

“You heard her, princess. Come sit your butt down. My dad doesn’t bite,” Damon tells me with a cheeky grin, gesturing to the seat next to him.

The elder two men of the house stay silent, but I can feel their eyes on me as I sit down. The woman, Elle, who I met yesterday is busy in the kitchen. My stomach lurches when I smell bacon. Please, not now.

“Are you okay?” Damon asks me, with concern etched across his face as he looks at me.

I nod my head and rub at my stomach. “I think I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me.”

Damon reaches for a jug of water and pours me a glass. “Here, maybe just try some water first. See if you can keep it down. You could have picked up a bug.”

“Yeah, probably,” I agree, taking small sips of my water.

“Are you sure you’re not fucking her?” his dad asks, making me spray the mouthful of water out of my mouth all over the occupant of the seat opposite me.

“Jesus!” Luca says, jumping to his feet and looking down at his t-shirt that is splattered with water from my mouth.

“Oh shit. I’m sorry,” I mumble. I grab a napkin and rush around to the other side of the table. I pat at the wet patches on his t-shirt. “If you take it off. I’ll go stick it in the dryer for you.”

“Take it off, huh?” I look up into Luca’s mischievous eyes to find him grinning at me. He lifts at the hem of his t-shirt from the back and pulls it over his head. Leaving me standing there with the napkin in my hand gawping at his naked chest. It’s covered in tattoos, and I can’t help but study them for a minute. “Enjoying the view?” he asks me, pulling me from my staring.

“Quit flirting with princess, brother.” Damon says from behind me, and I can hear the humour in his voice. “And no, dad, we’re not fucking.”

“But you’d like to be,” his sister chuckles, earning her a clip around the ear from her dad.

“Wash your mouth out, young lady,” he tells her with a frown.

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