A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

Wren’s eyebrows go up, and I swear he looks sexier when he’s being adorable.

“And he’s excited about that?”

I sputter the champagne sip I just took, and I laugh while shaking my head. “I doubt that’s the part that has him excited. Things can be… Well, intense. You also tend to want something much, much more than you ever thought possible. Again, I can’t speak for everyone, but judging by his wink, I’d say that’s what he’s referring to.”

He looks so damn confused, and I almost want to touch the wrinkle he has on his brow right now.

“Want something? Like food or something?”

I smirk while shaking my head, and it takes him a second to process it. But realization lights in his eyes. “Oh… Ohh.” Then in a flat, almost annoyed tone, he adds, “Oh.”

When he frowns and gets lost in thought, I get a little worried.

“What’s wrong?”

He looks up from his champagne, and I swear he looks a little pissed. What the hell?

“So you… I mean… Back when you were… Fuck! Sorry. It’s none of my business.”

A woman looks over with a disapproving frown when fuck leaves his mouth, and I cover my smile with my hand. He’s pissed because he thinks I had sex while I was pregnant.

A few months ago, I’d be insulted by the audacity he’d have to even hint at asking that question. Because it’s really none of his business. Now… I have no idea how to explain the satisfaction I’m getting from his obvious anger.

“Not while I was pregnant. At least not with a person,” I say, relieving him of the burden, but I can’t help but add a little fire into the conversation. “I handled things myself.”

This time, he sputters his drink. Hard.

“Christ,” he groans. “I really wish I didn’t have that image in my head of you getting yourself—”

“Wren,” a woman’s voice interrupts, and I tense immediately.

Wren’s arm returns to my waist when he finishes drying his mouth, and I turn around to see her and him. The guy I’ve seen pictures of is standing in front of me—Billy Prize. And he’s carrying Erica around on his arm like she’s a prize—no pun intended.

“Yeah?” Wren asks, sounding more annoyed than angry.

“I didn’t expect you to bring your baby’s momma,” she says with a condescending smile and a fake southern twang, making it all sound so tacky.

“Allie’s my date. And our daughter is a guest of honor tonight. Tread lightly, Erica,” Wren says, a hard edge to his tone. “That’s your only warning.”

Billy’s lips thin as though he wants to say something, but he doesn’t.

“Last I checked, Billy is just as much a Prize as you are. Don’t threaten to kick me out, Wren. It’s not going to happen.”

She laces her fingers with Billy’s, causing a scene. I think she’s already drunk because no sane, rational person acts like this when they’re sober.

Wren smirks before coolly looking at his brother. “She’s your problem, not mine. Keep her under control, or I will have her removed. This is a classy event, not a place for drama.”

This time, the short brother does speak. “Last I fucking checked, it’s also my home. Don’t start this, Wren. I didn’t bring her to piss you off or start anything. I even called to ask if it would be okay for me to date her.”

He did? So weird.

“I don’t care if you date her. I care how she speaks to Allie. And I care how she acts in front of my daughter. And I care how she behaves at our mother’s party.”

Erica throws her head back and laughs too dramatically to be sober. Yep. Definitely drunk. It becomes more apparent when she sways on her feet.

“Wren, Wren, Wren,” she tsks. “Always so dull and mature.”

Wren eyes Billy again, and the brother huffs before rolling his eyes. “I’m not letting you kick her out. I’ll deal with her.”

Wren grabs Billy’s arm, tugging him back before he walks off, putting their faces closer together before he says, “Just because you’re a Prize, it doesn’t make us equals. I haven’t screwed everyone over, so I carry more weight than you. Remember that. If she pisses me off, she’s gone.”

I’ve never heard Wren’s voice take such a menacing edge to it. It’s a glimpse into the man he could easily be if he chose. And it’s amazing he chooses not to be this man. Well, not under normal, less stressful situations.

Wren takes my hand, and I watch as Billy shoots daggers at his brother’s back, venom seeping from his glare.

“What was that about?” I whisper, turning away.

“Billy shows out. Always has. Does what he can to hurt everyone. He’s trying to get a rise out of me, just like he always has. He’s been jealous since we were little, even more so since Mom entrusted me with the larger businesses that I no longer run. Well, I run them, but I don’t manage them. I still handle all the major decisions. Billy feels like it should have been him.”