Page 47 of Endangering the King

The blood in my veins stopped flowing.

“But only if they let her.” He squeezed my arm and then let go. “Carlo and Giselle have the start of a wonderful family. Look, Stefan. Right now. Do you see how her eyes light up when Carlo’s eyes meet hers?”

I wished I could stop myself—but I couldn’t.

I looked.

And.

Fuck me.

Her eyes did light up.

Her whole face did.

“She doesn’t look at you like that. You’ve told yourself a lie, my son. She might care for you. But she loves your brother. He is her sun. And she is his.”

I turned to my father and glared at him. “I have no idea why you’re saying this. I’m not in love with my brother’s fiancée,” I lied through my fuckin’ teeth.

Even though I knew my father saw right through me. This was the only thing I could do to save face.

His expression grew more serious. “Stefan, there is someone out there for you. A beautiful woman who will take your breath away the instant you see her. She will challenge you. And love you.” His head jerked toward Giselle. “And she will look at you like that.”

Fucker.

“I’m in no rush.” I drank the rest of my whiskey, slammed my glass on the table, and stood. “I’ll stop by tomorrow. Have a good night.”

And then I walked into the house.

Away from my obnoxious, overbearing father.

And my authoritarian, arrogant brother.

And the woman I loved—

Who might already be pregnant with my brother’s child.

10

Giselle

“Is it just us?” I asked while I stuffed my feet into the riding boots at the back entrance way.

“It is,” Carlo replied with a smexy smirk.

I mean, I figured it would just be us.

Stefan had been avoiding the two of us for over a week.

No matter how many times I tried to talk to him—he was always busy. Or getting ready to visit his parents. Or get on a work call.

Or.

Or.

Or.

He had no time for me.

---