Fallen Heirs (Windsor Academy 3)

“She stood taller. Smiled wider. I don’t know... it’s just like she was more alive than she had been in the two years prior. You did that, whether you meant to or not.”

I dab at the corners of my eyes. “Shit. You’re making me cry.”

“Everything okay in here?”

I jump, startled by Kingston’s voice. I didn’t even hear the shower turn off.

Reed stands up and heads toward the door. “I’m gonna go clean up. Be back soon.”

I nod. “’Kay.”

“Why are you crying?” Kingston pulls me up from the couch into a hug. “Do I need to kick Reed’s ass?”

I half laugh, half sob into his chest. “No. Reed’s awesome. We were just having a little heart-to-heart about your sister.” I wipe my eyes as I look up at him. “He really loves her. You know that, right?”

Kingston brushes some hair away from my face. “Yeah, I know.”

“Is she gonna be okay when everything with your dad comes to light?”

“Sadly, I don’t think she’ll be surprised.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “But yeah, it’ll fuck with her. Probably a lot. She’s too much of an eternal optimist for it not to.”

“At least you know she’s in good hands with Reed. Right?”

He nods. “I can’t think of anyone better to be there for her.”

I smile as I rest my head against his chest. “Me neither.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JAZZ

“Kingston, you might want to take a look at this,” Reed suggests. “Madeline just walked into your dad’s corporate office.”

Kingston and I join Reed at the breakfast bar and watch the feed of my wicked stepmother standing in front of Preston’s desk.

“Isn’t she supposed to be in Colorado?” I ask.

“Charles said they’d be there through the new year.” Kingston frowns. “I guess he decided to come home early. Dude, rewind it a bit and turn up the volume.”

We watch as Madeline walks into his office and shuts the door behind her.

“Well, this is a surprise,” Preston says, reclining in his chair. “I wasn’t expecting you back for at least a few more days.”

Madeline glares. “Well, I’d hate to disappoint you, Preston, but plans change when you find out your lover is screwing your daughter!”

“Oh, shit,” Kingston, Reed, and I say in unison.

Kingston’s dad laughs condescendingly. “Jealous?”

“Hardly,” Madeline scoffs. “Why would I be jealous of my own child?”

“Why?” Preston’s brows lift. “Oh, I don’t know... maybe because she’s twenty years younger, her tits and ass are a helluva lot firmer, and she works my cock over better than you ever have? The young ones are always so eager to please. Maybe we should call Peyton in here so she can give you some tips.”

“How dare you!” Madeline seethes.

“Damn, that was brutal,” I remark, totally engrossed in the drama. I guess I lied to Bentley last week about it not being my thang.

Preston looks at his perfectly manicured nails. “If I were you, I’d choose your next words very carefully. This conversation is already testing my nerves. Now, I’m assuming there’s a reason you’re back in town early? Would you like to share with me what that is?”