Today we had a full house. I glanced around, realizing that maybe they had all waited here to see if we would ever come out of Daniel's bedroom. I smiled at them nonchalantly. I would never kiss and tell.
Besides, how do you describe a sunset to someone? Or the feeling of skydiving? The wind in your hair when you crest Mount Everest? You can’t explain it in words.
Making love to Daniel was like that.
I poured myself a cup of hot coffee first, adding a half a spoonful of sugar. Hot, black and sweet. It wasn't Italian coffee, but it was still damn good.
I giggled. I was even thinking like Daniel. He was always saying damn this or that. Or hell. Or fuck.
My father would fall on his ass if he heard me talking that way. I decided that I didn't care what he thought anymore. I piled my plate high before sitting down to eat my overdue breakfast.
Daniel joined us soon after and smiled at me from across the table as I put away sausage, roasted potatoes and eggs. It was delicious and filling. I liked their chef and the plain but hearty food they served.
I like everything about being here.
Well, except that pesky key Daniel used to keep me inside at night.
A loud knocking at the front door had Jackson on his feet. All of us turned, looking to see who was rude enough to use their fist to pound on the door. The butler opened the door.
I slowly stood as I heard the familiar sound of a polished French accent. My heart was thudding in my chest. Daniel was watching me, confusion written all over his handsome, wholesome face.
"I demand to see my fiancé!"
I walked to the hallway in a trance and stared at the intruder standing in the open doorway.
Philipe was here.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Daniel
"What the fuck?"
Francesca was frozen in place, a look of shock on her beautiful face. Worse than that, she looked hurt. And humbled. I looked at the man who just pushed his way into my house and sneered.
"Is that him?"
She glanced at me and nodded. I was right. She looked devastated. Did she still love this piece of garbage? He was handsome and urbane. But we all knew what he had done to her. Just because he was wearing Armani did not make him less of a shit heel.
Slowly, she walked towards the entry hall. I followed her. I noticed that my brothers and Elle all stood around Francesca protectively. Just as they should.
She was already one of us.
I wondered if she realized it.
"Enough of this petulant nonsense, Francesca. You will come home with me now."
I was so proud of her as she lifted her chin to stare down at him.
"No, Philipe I will not. You wasted your time coming here. Now run home with your tail between your legs."
He sneered at her. He didn't look handsome now. He looked enraged. He reached out and grabbed her arm.
"You stupid bitch! You dare to leave me? I am the richest man in Europe! I could have anyone. I chose you."
I stepped in front of her, knocking his manicured hand off of her. It wasn't hard. Just like I thought. The guy was all show. I smirked. I was going to make this guy taste his own blood in about two minutes.
"Yes, she fucking dares. Touch her again and you will draw back a stump. Want to try that?"
I cracked my knuckles. I was ready to tear this fucker limb from limb. Nobody messed with my woman.
Nobody.
"Daniel, I will handle this."
"Like hell you will!"
Philipe was staring at me with disdain. The kind that could only be summoned up by the upper, upper class. The kind of arrogance I'd never once seen on Francesca's face, thank God.
"You come here after what you did to her? You threw away the most incredible woman on earth for what? A cheap thrill? You are not welcome here. And I don't care how much that suit cost. I'm going to take you outside and knock your dick in the dirt."
It was dead silent in the entryway. I looked over my shoulder at Francesca to see what she was making of this. The last thing I wanted to do was make her upset but enough was e-fucking-nough.
Francesca was staring at me with a look of... admiration. And not a small amount of lust. Maybe something else too. Something that might even be love. I winked at her and went back to berating her ex fiancé. EX. She was mine now. And he might as well know it.
Philipe looked surprised as fuck though. I grinned. Obviously he didn't know she had a new man.
I stepped forward. He stepped back. He kept going until he was nearly out the door.
"Francesca! Stop this right now!"
She didn't say a word. Nobody did. Philipe was definitely sweating as he backed out of the house.