Magnate (Acquisition 2)

He shrugged, his lanky arms rising and falling with the movement. “I guess, yeah. I don’t know. I’ve never been in love. I just know that if someone hurt her, I’d make that someone pay, and then I’d do everything I could to help her. Does that make sense?”

“It does. For you and Laura it does.”

“But not for you and Sin?”

I sighed and leaned back against the pillows. “I think whatever is between me and your brother is much more complicated than what you’ve described. And I think you know why.”

“Because of the Acquisition?” He kept tracing the same pattern of seams over and over, his index finger moving to its own silent beat.

“Yes.” In some other life, there may have been love. Maybe if Vinemont hadn’t been born into his role and I hadn’t been born into mine, then maybe. But as it was, we had no future and our past was murky at best.

“I just wish…”

“What?”

He shook his head and rose. “I’ll let you get back to your dinner. I just heard you were back and wanted to come say hi and that I missed you. And thank you for taking care of Sin when he needed it.”

I held my arms out and he came and gave me a hug, squeezing me almost as tightly as Renee did, but not quite.

“You’re welcome,” I whispered.

“Okay.” He stood and retreated to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning at breakfast then?”

I couldn’t refuse his honest smile. “Yes, I guess so.”

“Good.”

Once he left, I snuggled down into my bed. Why did the other two have to be so vile when Teddy had turned out so normal?

I tried to fall asleep but couldn’t. Not until I dropped to my knees and reached up into my nightstand. Once I felt the familiar blade still securely taped to the underside of the drawer, I crawled back into bed. I’d brought the knife here as a weapon, but the simple act of touching it strengthened my resolve. It was more of a talisman than anything else at this point.

I didn’t need it to keep me safe. I could do that on my own. And I would.

Chapter Six

Stella

Breakfast the next morning was oddly calm. Vinemont was already at the table, sipping his coffee and watching my every move as I walked in and took a seat next to Teddy.

“Happy to be back?” Vinemont set his cup down and leaned forward, his perfectly pressed business shirt doing nothing to hide the muscles underneath.

“I wouldn’t say that.” My sharp tone made the corners of his mouth turn up, a smile trying to break free. The half-smile died as Lucius entered the room.

He was on a call, fluent Spanish rolling off his tongue as he gave orders to someone, most likely Javier. He wore a navy polo and jeans that fit his narrow waist and lean hips perfectly. When he was done, he tossed his phone down on the table.

“Well?” Vinemont asked.

“Javier says it’s all over. But now we have to pay the local militia for their assistance.”

Vinemont glanced to Teddy and shook his head at Lucius. “We’ll finish this discussion later.”

“I’m not a kid anymore, Sin. You two can tell me what’s going on.” Teddy swept his hair off his forehead, perhaps aiming for a more serious look.

“It’s nothing.” Vinemont waved his hand as if a militia fighting a farmer uprising was nothing more than a simple labor disagreement.

“Sure.” Teddy wasn’t convinced.

“All under control, lil bro. Don’t worry, we’re keeping your trust fund stocked.” Lucius grinned.

“Douche.” Teddy crossed his arms over his chest as Lucius’ grin broadened.

I elbowed him. “Ignore him. Tell me what life is like out there. What’s going on at school?”

He smiled. “I aced my classes this semester—”

“And every semester, dork.” Lucius cut in.

Teddy raised an eyebrow at his brother. “So I’m almost done with my pre-med coursework.”

“So you’re well on your way to being Dr. Teddy, then?” I asked.

“Yep. I’ve already been accepted. I should graduate undergrad in the spring and roll right on into med school.”

A surge of misplaced pride welled inside me. After all, Teddy wasn’t my blood. Still, I smiled at him and patted him on the back. “Well done.”

“Thanks.”

Laura came in and set out plates full of biscuits, gravy, country ham, and eggs. She and Teddy avoided each other’s eyes. It was glaringly obvious they were in love and trying desperately to hide it.

Vinemont scowled and speared a chunk of ham. Lucius smirked and gave me a wink.

I decided to help Teddy out and erase some of the awkward. “What sort of doctor do you want to be?”

“Gynecologist, right?” Lucius didn’t miss a beat.

Teddy choked on his orange juice. I clapped him on the back a few times and glared at Lucius.

Teddy tried twice to speak before he could do it without sounding strangled. “No, I was thinking cardiology.”