Page 33 of Heart of Stone (Dark Billionaires)

“Can I pick them up?” Kate asked.

“Only if you put them back in the right position.”

“Of course. You’re clearly in the middle of a battle here.”

Kate’s compliments and Mattie’s passionate teachings rang through the air as Warren walked past the range of codexes stacked on a shelf, as well as the wide array of colours neatly displayed according to shade. Movement in the corner of his eye made him approach the computer monitor. Mattie’s character was still in game. Others whizzed by, either on foot or on mounts.

“This is Stormwind, isn’t it?” Warren asked, pointing at the screen. “InWorld of Warcraft.”

“It is,” Mattie smiled. “How do you know that?”

“I remember what you tell me.” He’d also watchedWorld of Warcraftvideos on YouTube to ensure he didn’t forget. “And you’re playing as a druid? Withveryfancy armour.”

His brother rushed round to the computer, sitting in his gaming chair to bring up a character screen that showed the armour to its fullest effect. “This is the Garb of the Astral Warden. I’ve transmogged it from other armour just because I like the look.”

Standing behind the chair, Warren set his hands on Mattie’s shoulders. “It looks great.”

“Transmogged?” Kate asked, coming to stand next to Warren. “Ooh, that does look good.”

“Thanks,” Mattie grinned, turning to face her. “Transmogrification is an effect. So underneath this, I’m wearing other armour—better armour—but transmogging it gives it the appearance of the Garb of the Astral Warden.”

“Oh I get it, so it’s like an illusion.”

Mattie held up his chubby hand for a high-five, grinning when Kate reciprocated. “Exactly.”

Eventually, Sarah’s head popped in from the entrance corridor. “Shall we singHappy Birthday?”

“Come on then, mate,” he said to Mattie. “Let’s get some cake in you.”

They settled back in the living room, and not a moment too soon. Sarah entered, holding the lit birthday cake aloft before placing it in front of Mattie.

“Don’t forget to make a wish,” Andy said gruffly from the corner. Leo jumped up at Andy’s leg, his paws scratching at the sofa, and Andy shoved him away, muttering.

Mattie squinted for a moment before blowing out the candles and cutting the cake, passing slices around the room on a small set of plates. Mattie chatted happily to Kate, explaining hisWarhammerarmy in more depth, whilst Andy’s attention return to the TV. Leo, on the other hand, had made a home for himself on Kate’s lap.

Jammy little bastard.

“Let me help you with that,” Warren stood, taking the dirty plates from Sarah’s arms and accompanying her into the kitchen.

“You should be out there with Mattie,” she chided him. “He’ll steal Kate away from you if you’re not careful.”

“Steal?”

Sarah’s hand rested on her hips, a knowing smile playing about her lips. In such close quarters, he could see the bags under her eyes. “How have you been?”

“Fine,” he said, perhaps a bit too quickly. “How’s Mattie?”

“He’s starting a new job next week.”

“That’s excellent,” Warren said. “I bet he’s pleased.”

Sarah nodded, putting the kettle on. “He is. Andy isn’t pleased about it, of course. Says it’s too much work for the lad. But Andy spends most of the year working on cruise ships in the Mediterranean, he doesn’t see Mattie day in, day out. It’s all very well Mattie playing video games, but he needs to live his life, do you not think?”

That had often been a source of contention, Warren had gathered. Andy’s insistence on treating Mattie like a child rather than an adult. “I do. I’m sure Mattie will be fine.”

“That’s what I said,” Sarah agreed, getting a handful of mugs down from a cupboard, their bottoms scraping along the wood, before she fussed with the tea bag tin. “He’s going to be working in one of those model gaming places anyway.”

Warren snorted. “Hopefully he’ll get a staff discount.”

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