Page 52 of The Professor's Possession (Crystal River Billionaire Brothers)

“Yep.”

“I can see it in your eyes,” he whispers with a dark delight. “That hunger. All of us Penmaynes have it. We can getconsumedby our vices, and our women.”

“Damn, Damon. I give up. You’ve got me caught out.”

My brother sighs. “Give me a name. I can find out everything about this girl. I’ve got men who specialize in that kind of thing. I can make her yours if you so wish.”

“That’s not what I’m after,” I reply.

“Then what are you after?” Damon asks.

“I’m going to do it myself. My way.”

Damon has his own ways to get a girl he desires, but they’re not my methods.

We’re suddenly interrupted by Royce. He stands up on the bar for a speech. The entire room goes silent.

Both Damon and I turn to face our brother.

“It’s been just over two years since we lost Arthur,” Royce says, his voice echoing around the hushed bar. “But it has felt so much longer. Like a limb has been torn off, and yet we must limber on. Despite us being twins, Arthur was the polar opposite of me. Popular. Adventurous. Lovable. Cheerful. But he was a Penmayne.”

As my brother toasts the memory of our lost sibling, I think about Leila Bayer. She was Arthur’s girlfriend, but she and Royce never got on. He’s practically barred her from any family events since his brother’s death, especially this one. I would object, but Royce – being Arthur’s twin – has the final say on these matters. She’s not here tonight, even though I know she would love to be. I only wish the two could reconcile their differences for the sake of Arthur’s memory. But I know Royce: he’s a Penmayne, and that means he’s as stubborn as they come. We all are.

“You have any more of that crazy beer?” I ask Damon once the toast is finished and Royce has gotten down from the counter.

“A whole carload,” my brother replies.

“Great.”

I have made a decision. Tonight, in the safety of this bar with the security of a small army around us, I feel safe enough to lower my defenses.

I’m going to get drunk.

And I am going to think about my departed brother.

24

OLIVIA

I am sittingin my dorm room, predictably reading Wuthering Heights, when there’s a knock on my door.

Deep in my gut, I can just sense who's at the door before they even bother to announce themselves. Ava's off with Luke right now and won't be back until much later tonight, so there's absolutely no way it could be her. And logically, that means it can't be Luke either.

Despite defying all logic, I know the person knocking ishim.

“Who is it?” I ask, barely hiding the uncertainty in my voice.

Another knock. No other answer.

Against my better judgment, I scramble to the door and unlock it.

And my fear – and delight – is confirmed.

Spencer Penmayne.

Oh, crap.

He storms in, all six-foot-something of the man. He’s wearing one of his trademark perfectly tailored suits. His hair is neatly slicked back.

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