Insolent (Crimson Elite 4)

“Lilly and I aren’t there yet. We both want to better our careers.”

“Please, that’s simply an excuse. I bet she’d jump at the chance to marry you.”

“That’s the problem, isn’t it? Is it the money or me?” he mumbles. I didn’t know he felt that way. I glance up at him and see the hard lines appear around his eyes.

“Why are you here, Barren?”

He looks up from his menu. “I came to see my sister.”

“Thank you.” I stand, walk over to him and give him a cuddle. He wraps his arms around me, hugging me back.

“Father’s pressuring me to marry Lilly. You know he loves her,” he says when I sit back down.

“If you don’t want to, leave her. It’s worse to drag her along.”

He shakes his head. “I love her, but…”

“Do you think there should be a but with I love her?”

“She’s been with me through so much, it would kill her.”

I shrug. “But you may just release her, too. What if she wants kids and marriage? And here you are denying her of all of it.”

“You’re the only one who talks to me as if I’m not a rich mogul.”

I wave my hand at him. “Please, I remember when you used to pee in my bed. You’re no mogul to me, brother.”

We order and our drinks arrive. Barren checks something on his phone, and when he looks up, he stares over my shoulder. His eyes straining as he does so.

“Olympia, why is there a man over there staring holes into the back of your head, and regarding me as if he wants to kill me?” I glance over my shoulder to see Darby sitting at a table with everyone else. They have a large table farther back in the restaurant. Storm notices and waves me over.

“That’s my boss and his friends. Do you want to go and meet them?”

Barren stands and looks down at me. “You’re working?”

I shrug, not wanting to go into it.

“Yes, introduce me, now.” He pulls on his shirt, making sure it’s flat and in the right position as we make our way over. Darby’s eyes don’t fall from me until we reach the table.

Storm stands, wraps me in a cuddle before she sits back down. “Olympia, fancy seeing you here,” she says.

“Yeah, blue, what’s the likes of you doing in a place like this?” Falcon says winking.

My brother’s hand falls to my back, and I know he doesn’t like the way they’re speaking to me. You speak to women in a proper manner or not at all. Unless you’re family.

“Who’s your date?” Falcon’s eyes fall to Barren who reaches over with his hand outstretched.

“Barren.”

Falcon notices it, then I see Ariel nudge him, so he shakes Barren’s hand then looks to where Darby’s seated.

“Why don’t you join us, dear. You and your friend are more than welcome,” Ma says, sitting with a gentleman next to her. It’s then I notice the baby in the stroller, and Darby still staring intently between myself and my brother.

“No, thank you. We’ve already ordered, we best be on our wa—”

“So, what kind of business is it that you own?” Barren interjects.

I groan and turn to him, shaking my head. “It’s just a bar. Come on, Barren.” I slide my hand in his and pull, but he doesn’t move.

“You’re working at a bar?” He huffs. “A bar?” he says it again like the words are a stain on his tongue, and he simply can’t believe it.

“Yes, now come back to the table so we can talk.”

“No. Why don’t you sit. I’m sure we can fill you in.” My head whips around to that voice. They stand and move chairs, making room, but Darby who offered doesn’t move, he stays exactly where he is. Two extra seats are pulled around, and before I know it, our drinks are at the table. I slide in next to Darby, clenching my teeth. Damn, he smells so good. Barren sits next to me, and I know he’s fuming. I can feel the tension rolling off of him.

“So, you all own this bar?” Barren finally asks, his leg bouncing up and down with the anxious tension he’s obviously feeling. He turns to me. “You work with all these men?”

I place my hand on his shoulder. “Do you want to go?”

“No, stay. Ask away,” Darby says smirking, while his eyes keep flicking between us both. I check around and notice everyone’s watching us. I know almost everyone here except for that one man sitting next to Ma. I hope I haven’t ruined their night by sitting down with Barren who’s being totally obnoxiously rude.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your night,” I say looking over at Ma.

She waves a hand at me. “No interruption, honey. You’re always welcome.”

“And you are?” the man sitting next to her asks.

I smile, reaching across the table and offering my hand. “Olympia, sir.” He smiles at me and shakes my hand. My papa raised me with manners to respect my elders.